Hello everyone,
I have been following some aspects of the debates and issues raised by the
postings of a very few individuals with great concern lately. Moreover, as
one of the co-moderators of the CGF, I've also had quite a few people write
privately to tell me of their concerns regarding the tone of recent
postings on the list.
I do not particularly worry about what kind of 'radical' politics people
espouse, and neither do those who have taken their valuable time to write
to me. Instead, their and my concerns focus on the 'exclusionary turn'
that has developed on the list.
The CGF was developed as a forum for critical geographers of all stripes to
come together in one of the few 'safe' places to discuss theory and praxis
of critical geography. We seem to be making this space very clearly unsafe
for many people to participate. I for one have a very real fear that if I
make the slightest little mistake in one of my postings, then I will get
jumped on by somebody. It seems that removes the most important aspect of
a 'safe' space -- the opportunity to make mistakes and be supported by
colleagues who are both critical and sympathetic.
There are already too many spaces where critical geography is NOT allowed
to exist. Indeed, I can think of no department I have ever been to where
there isn't someone or some group of liberals or conservatives actively
attempting to police the epistemic spaces of 'GEOGRAPHY'. I'm sure we are
all familiar with that wonderful exclusionary question in the seminar: "How
is this Geography?" As we know, this question is not designed to open up
spaces for critical geographers, but is instead designed to close off
debate and define radical geography as not-Geography.
The exclusionary tone of much recent postings does much the same ("How is
this Critical Geography?"). In this sense, it does not allow open
discussion and immanent critique... instead it seems designed as a form of
intellectual display -- "look! My intellect is BIGGER than yours!"
Clearly, this exclusionary tone cannot continue if the list is to work as
it was intended.
So, there are some things that need to be kept in mind as one participates
on the list:
1. there are ways of participating on the list that open spaces of
dialogue. Writing 5-page epistolary monologues about the un-radical-ness
of every form of critical geography except your own particular theoretical
perspective is NOT a way of opening up dialogue. Clearly, there are less
arrogant ways of stating concerns, ways that invite other critical
geographers to participate in -- dare I say it -- a coalition of interests
in critiques of various forms of exploitation.
2. it is totally inappropriate to post to the list private messages that
any member has received from another member. This is a complete invasion
of privacy and any member who does so will be removed from the list.
3. if you are having a debate with a single member of the list and it
becomes clear that no other list members are participating, please consider
taking your discussion OFF the list and have your tete-a-tete in private.
Most members of the list are extremely busy, and we do not need to read
every little thought that somebody might have -- no matter how
intellectually superior their arguments might be!
4. while it may be totally bourgeois, please try to maintain a civil tone
on the list. Remember that there are many different members with different
levels of academic training (from undergrads to senior professors), and we
want everyone to feel that they are able to 'participate'.
5. remeber that on this list, the ends do not justify the means. the will
to truth should not be seen as a licence to invoke the will to power.
I'm afraid my comments are nowhere near as eloquent as those just posted by
Jo, Jenny, Sue, Dan, Hillary, David, Graham and Michael. However, in
concert with those postings I suspect that members will get the picture and
heed the call for a more inclusionary tone on the list. Also, I'm sure
others of you will have even better suggestions for opening up the list.
Please e-mail me privately if you would like to pass those on.
My apologies for cluttering up your in-boxes yet again, and thank you all
for your time.
Best wishes,
lawrence
cgf co-moderator
Lawrence D. Berg, Ph.D.
Department of Geography
University of Victoria
PO Box 3050
Victoria, BC, Canada V8W 3P5
Facsimile: (250) 721-6216, Telephone: (250) 592-2278
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://www.massey.ac.nz/~wwglobal/Berg/LDB.html
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