Editorial by the Psychology Department, signed by supporters

To the Elizabethtown College Community:

This correspondence is in reference to the College communication Monday, Nov. 9. This statement to our community articulated that this year’s election was comprised of a number of firsts that warrant recognition. One of those firsts was Vice President‐Elect, Kamala Harris. Harris is the first South Asian and Jamaican (or Indian and Black) woman to be elected vice president in this country. However, the statement failed to include critical aspects of her identity that warrant visibility. Harris was identified as the first woman of color and Asian American vice president-elect with no specific reference to her Black and Indian identities. It is concerning that the College communication did not acknowledge Harris’ racial/ethnic identities, as we belong to a country with a history riddled in attenuation of indigenous racial/ethnic narratives and identities in favor of whiteness.

Using the umbrella term “woman of color” in lieu of specific language reifies institutional color‐ blindness that undermines the notion of our country electing the first Indian and Black vice president. Harris’ identities are extremely relevant as she is not just a woman of color, but South Asian and Jamaican. This racial/ethnic composition comes with a history of oppression, genocide and colonialism. This election was historic not only because Harris was elected as the first Indian and Black vice president of this country, but it was the Black female vote and mobilization efforts that led the country to a Biden/Harris victory, according to USA Today. As an institution, we would be remiss by failing to acknowledge Harris’ membership in the Black female community given what we witnessed.

If we are an institution that is committed to social justice, then it is important that we use moments such as this to exhibit humility, to learn and do better. By doing better, administration, faculty and staff should not erase identities when they are known. This includes race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and other historically oppressed identities. Doing better also means that when administration, faculty and staff are given feedback, we exhibit humility by listening, reflecting and trusting that this feedback is meant to foster critical discussion that can be used to promote inclusion and equity.

Signed,

The Authors

Dawnielle Simmons, Psychology

Elizabeth Dalton, Psychology

Jean Pretz, Psychology

Michael Roy, Psychology

Evan Smith, Psychology

Robert Wickham, Psychology

Supporters

Kimberly Adams, English

Mahua Bhattacharya, Modern Languages

Vanessa Borilot, Modern Languages