Ivy League professors criticize GOP critics of Critical Race Theory, while a British university scrutinizes terms like "Anglo-Saxon" and "Viking" over concerns about nationalism.
Ivy league professors have trashed GOP critics of Critical Race Theory and specifically took aim at Christopher Rufo. Chris Rufo is a conservative activist who has been outspoken in his criticism of Critical Race Theory, which he argues is divisive and harmful to students.
In a recent article, Rufo accused Harvard Law School professor Randall Kennedy of being a "fake journalist" who has misrepresented Critical Race Theory in his writings. Kennedy responded by calling Rufo a "right-wing troll" who is trying to silence dissenting voices on race.
British University Re-evaluates Historical Terms to Combat Nationalism
The exchange between Rufo and Kennedy is just the latest in a long-running debate over Critical Race Theory. Critics of the theory argue that it is divisive and harmful to students, while supporters argue that it is necessary to understand the history of racism in America.
A British college that offers courses in medieval history is reportedly scrutinizing multiple historical terms out of concern that they evoke nationalism. The University of Nottingham is reportedly considering renaming a masters course in Viking and Anglo-Saxon Studies as Viking and Early Medieval English Studies.
British University Re-evaluates Historical Terms to Combat Nationalism
In addition, the same source also reported that a module within the program titled "Research Methods in Viking and Anglo-Saxon Studies" has had the "Anglo-Saxon" term removed in favor of "Early Medieval English." It also claimed that English literature module "A Tale of Seven Kingdoms: Anglo-Saxon and Viking-Age England from Bede to Alfred the Great" was also renamed "Early medieval England from Bede to Alfred the Great."
The University of Nottingham is not alone in scrutinizing the term "Anglo-Saxon." In May, Cambridge University Press said it was "delighted" to rename a decades-old historical journal "Anglo-Saxon England" as "Early Medieval England and its Neighbours." Cambridge’s Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic studies has also reportedly worked to "dismantle the basis of myths of nationalism" by arguing not only that Anglo-Saxons did not exist as a distinct ethnic group, but that there are no "coherent" Scottish, Irish and Welsh ethnic identities either.
British University Re-evaluates Historical Terms to Combat Nationalism
The move to scrutinize historical terms like "Anglo-Saxon" and "Viking" is part of a broader trend in academia to decolonize the curriculum. Decolonization is a process of removing Western-centric material and the dominance of ‘White voices’ in academia.
The debate over historical terms like "Anglo-Saxon" and "Viking" is likely to continue. As universities around the world work to decolonize their curricula, we can expect to see more scrutiny of the language we use to talk about the past.
British University Re-evaluates Historical Terms to Combat Nationalism
