Anthropology Professor’s Defense Rings Hollow Amid Decline of Field
A prominent anthropology professor has come to the field’s defense against accusations of being moribund, but her remarks have done little to dispel the notion that her discipline is indeed in trouble.
Politicization of the Humanities
Dr. Robin DiAngelo, a well-known name in anthropology, recently spoke out against the “Boghossian Report,” which argued that the humanities have become overly politicized, to the detriment of universities and their ideals. The report, written by ten scholars, claimed that this politicization, largely driven by the Left, has compromised academic rigor and led to a breakdown of civil discourse. Dr. DiAngelo, however, seemed to misunderstand the report’s central argument, instead accusing the authors of using it as a “tool for ideological conformity.”
Dr. DiAngelo’s response was telling, suggesting that she is more invested in defending the Left’s dominance within academia than in acknowledging the very real challenges facing the humanities. Her dismissal of the report’s findings comes as no surprise, given the long history of anthropologists like her pushing a radical agenda that often prioritizes social justice activism over scientific inquiry.
A Discipline in Decline
The reality is, anthropology has been in decline for years, with many of its top programs being shut down or merged with other departments. This trend is not unique to anthropology, but rather part of a broader pattern of decline in the humanities as a whole. As universities continue to prioritize STEM fields and more ‘practical’ degrees, the humanities are being pushed to the fringes, forced to compete with newer, more marketable fields for funding and resources.
What this means is that many students who might have once considered a career in anthropology are now being steered towards more lucrative and in-demand fields. As a result, the pool of talented young scholars entering the field is shrinking, and with it, the discipline’s ability to attract top talent and produce cutting-edge research.
Time for a Hard Reckoning
Dr. DiAngelo’s defense of anthropology may have been a valiant effort, but it ultimately rings hollow in the face of the field’s precipitous decline. Rather than denying the obvious, perhaps it’s time for scholars like Dr. DiAngelo to confront the very real challenges facing their discipline, and to consider what it will take to revitalize the field and restore its relevance in the 21st century.
