Theory on the other Side of the Veil: Reckoning with Legacies of Anti-Blackness and Teaching in Social Theory

摘要: Classical Theory courses in the U.S. present a history of our discipline grounded works Durkheim, Marx, and Weber, defining “classic” by space time, giving pre-World War II Europe credit for creating foundation contemporary sociology. While past critiques this canon have argued expanding geographic bounds outside Europe, these efforts still ground origins social theory time period racial exclusion segregation. We argue reckoning with United States anti-Blackness legacies exclusions. must grapple histories segregation that continue to impact discipline’s futures. In paper, we teaching sociology’s should be through “Foundations Social Theory,” broad approach rejects ideas both “classics” “canon.” This roots core issues study (e.g., consequences capitalism) directly addresses gendered exclusions centering BIPOC intellectual contributions across time. By lifting restrictions, open doors including voices omitted repressed due people, especially Black women, from higher education acknowledges diverse classrooms profession, highlights relevance future.