I've decided to pull back from talking about race on social media. There are many reasons for this but the most important one for me is it has come to feel like a pointless energy drain that doesn't seem to make a difference.
During the summer, I was inspired to use my "platform" to be a "voice" but I don't think it has been very productive. Although many commenters have accused me of talking about race out of self-interest, I actually see it as a moral duty to help. A duty and often a burden.
I'm sure it has professionally hurt me. For instance, many people have made assumptions about my competence and intellectual background that simply aren't true.
Many people assume I must not test very high on standardized tests. I test extremely highly. Perfect score high. (No I'm not going to share my actual scores. 1. It's gross and 2. it doesn't matter.) This shouldn't be a surprise. Lots of people at Harvard have good resumes.
Many people have accused me of being a recipient of affirmative action. As an international student I'm not eligible for affirmative action. Universities don't get to claim me as "diversity" in their statistics to the US government. They get no credit for enrolling me.
As far as I know, most PhD students at my university are funded through Americans-only grant money from the US government (which is a kind of affirmative action for Americans). In my case, it's different. It costs Harvard money out of their own pocket to train me.
Apart from my personal experiences, I have absolutely nothing original to say about racism in academia.
Everything I've ever said amounts to racism is a pervasive force in American society and touches on almost every system including academic science and mathematics. Despite how revolutionary this sounds to many Americans, it's just basic American Sociology 101.
Finally, talking about race attracts unstable, extremist personalities. This is the first time I've admitted this to anyone but I have started taking precautions for my physical safety. I haven't even told my loved ones because I didn't want them to worry. Who needs this crap!?
In conclusion, "Best of Luck with the Culture Wars, Twitter!" but I'm taking a break.
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