A prominent academic was criticized for saying at a conference for female historians in July that her professional life would have been easier if she was black.
Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California Lois Banner reportedly said in Berkshire Conference for Women HistoriansTriennale event she co-founded in the 1970s, according to. Daily Beast.
“Well, the Burke plenary just turned around,” said attendee and PhD candidate Stephanie Narrow. said on Twitter. “A senior white scholar said very openly and unapologetically at the 50th anniversary convention that he wished he had been black so that his professional life would be easier.”
“She was immediately called out for blatantly racist remarks, but refused to apologize, let alone hear why the remarks were horribly wrong.” (Related: Paris Saint-Germain head coach arrested for allegedly complaining about black and Muslim player numbers)
“My opinion will not change. I’m 84,” Banner said in response to her inflammatory comments.
Banner’s talk followed a talk by Rutgers University’s Deborah Gray White on black women in academia.
After Banner’s speech, Deirdre Cooper-Owens took to Twitter to denounce her.
“The Burks Conference was a great conference until Lois Banner’s hateful racist remarks tarnished it. Yes, because I needed to keep her from mentioning a black woman’s name.” , spoke out strongly against her acerbic remarks.” Owens tweeted.
The Burks Conference was a beautiful conference until Lois Banner’s hateful racist remarks defiled it. Yes, I had to keep black women’s names out of her mouth, so I spoke out against her acrimonious remarks. Thread/1
— Diadora Cooper Owens (@drcooperowens) July 3, 2023
Conference organizers tweeted that they “do not condone or endorse inappropriate remarks made by one of tonight’s speakers.”
The next day, the group held a “talk session” to discuss Mr. Banner’s comments.
“The Board and Trustees are listening, taking notes carefully and planning actions. The Daily Beast reported.
Some people took to Twitter to share their views on the controversy.
Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Ashley Lawrence Sanders He suggested Banner’s speech should not be dismissed as “a comment from a bygone era.”
“Many of us have heard similar things from our graduate students and faculty colleagues.
“I wish I was a lesbian because I’m good at building and organizing communities,” Banner said, according to the Daily Beast.
