THIS just happened at the #aiascs2019, joint conference of the Archaeology Institute of America and Society for Classical Studies. Another classicist was told that he got his job because he's black! This is not exclusive to Classics/ Archaeology but pertains to Anthropology.
2) That some academics, especially senior ones, feel emboldened to speak their minds about "diversity" and "decolonization" at conferences as if the principle of meritocracy was somehow in danger. And lets not forget who (class, status, gender) usually benefits from meritocracy
3) That these forms of open expression of discomfort around diversity and/or decolonization has been finding its way into Anthropology meetings. I heard there was resistance against a decolonization statement at the Canadian Society of Physical Anthropology meeting last year.
4) I've heard of academics who air concerns about being under pressure to hire non-white colleagues because their department decided to take "diversity" more seriously. As if taking diversity seriously means lowering standards for entry.
5) At least people feel threatened enough to feel say these things out in the open. Or maybe they're simply clue-less. Cause their sense of stability and the bubble they've been living in is slowly breaking. But some things need breaking before others can rebuild.
