Thread by @DrJavadTHashmi

I realize my style can come across as "intense" & might also seem needlessly confrontational. I have also had a few fellow academics convey to me the idea that I shouldn't go "dumpster diving" & debate "nobodies." Instead, I should limit discourse to the academic community. 1/

https://twitter.com/MomandMoses/status/1390480404688240641

Whereas I understand where this is all coming from, I have a different & non-conformist take. I believe academic "snobbery"--& staying locked in the ivory tower--leads to a gaping hole that is filled by demagogues & extremists, who are able to push their propaganda unopposed. 2/

In Islamic studies, I take as my inspiration scholars such as Prof. @jricole (the OG) & Prof. @JonathanACBrown... & confess my fascination with Prof. @rezaaslan's early work & debates. Ultimately, I wish to combine scholarship with public-facing work. 3/

I am, on that note, being considered for a think tank-ish position that I hope to secure... This would allow me to have one foot in the academy & another in the think tank space. I also want to fix my gaze on "lower" outlets: social media, forums, YouTube, etc... 4/

That is to say, I *want* to "dumpster dive," so that I can start to clean up the mess. When it comes to Islam & public discourse, it's mostly dominated by the crudest voices. I think cleaning this up is a collective obligation (farḍ al-kifāya) for the academic community. 5/

If a small group does it, then the rest are absolved of their responsibility. But, for the last couple of decades, most academics have disdained these media outlets & allowed the demagogues to run amock. That's a travesty: we have the skills & knowledge to counter them. 6/

On the other hand, I also think many academics *don't* have the temperament, debate skills, or even ability to counter certain arguments that are commonly bandied about. This gives the impression to these demagogues that they are correct & right... 7/

...& that they are simply saying what academics are prevented from saying due to "political correctness." I hope to show that this is not true & that their ideas are, indeed, weak & spurious. 8/

One of my professors just chided me, "So what's the latest Twitter jihād?" More than one told me that it's a waste of time since no academic debates are resolved on Twitter. Yet, I actually think public opinion is probably more important, at least in some ways, than scholars. 9/

I get it that one Twitter jihād after another can get old to some people. But, that's why I entered the game, so expect more to come.
Ultimately, I must say that the unfollow, mute, & soft blocks exist on Twitter for a reason. Don't worry--I won't get offended! 10/