Undergraduate Philosophy Association - UPA

Matt Kostelecky on PHIL 436/536 Matt Kostelecky speaks about his PHIL 436/536: Topics in Medieval Philosophy, a seminar offered at the U of A in Fall 2020.

Alan McLuckie Introduces PHIL 233: The Trial and Ex*****on of Socrates Alan McLuckie speaks about PHIL 233: The Trial and Ex*****on of Socrates, a course offered at the University of Alberta in Fall 2020

‘O my body, make of me always a man who questions!’ –Frantz Fanon, Black Skin, White Masks

Dear members of our community,

As some of you folks may know, MAP UAlberta is a student group that supports curricular and demographic diversity in philosophy. This mission includes addressing philosophical and practical issues concerning gender, race, sexual orientation, class, and disability. We strive to hold space for the philosophies of BIPOC and engage with other philosophical traditions and identity groups underrepresented in the academy.

This statement is in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement. The continued systemic institutional oppression of Black people based on the cultural myth called ‘race’ needs to come to an end. MAP condemns anti-Black racism and stands in solidarity with the vibrant Black communities that exist today.

Many philosophers—such as Frederick Douglass, W. E. B. Du Bois, Alain LeRoy Locke, and Angela Davis⁠—have argued for justice and true equality for centuries. The hallmarks of great philosophy—analytic rigor, creative insight, and passionate engagement with the world—should make philosophers and philosophy students strong allies for the BIPOC communities. How can philosophers and philosophy students be allies? Of course, we do not have all the answers. But we may start by learning, listening, and trolling trolls through the Socratic method.

Moreover, colonialism in North America has never stopped—it is an ongoing process. These systems and institutions cannot truly serve justice as they are.

We at MAP acknowledge our privileges as university students who are largely free to discuss systemic oppression openly, whereas many marginalized people often risk their safety by speaking up. We are open to engaging with feedback and ideas to fight anti-Black racism, as well as anti-Indigenous and anti-POC racisms as well.

For more information, we recommend Black-led organizations such as Lives Matter - Edmonton & Area Chapter and Women United YEG. For philosophical text, Kristie Dotson’s “Conceptualizing Epistemic Oppression” (2014) is recommended! The following link is a list of Black Revolutionary texts: https://drive.google.com/drive/mobile/folders/18y0_2wm85L113fVWYdgljq9uuIlmlbl3

Sincerely and warmly,

Soyoung Yu (Co-Organizer) and Jonah Dunch (Co-Organizer)

black revolutionary texts - Google Drive

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