Transforming the Ivory Tower: Challenging Racism, Sexism, and Homophobia in the Academy

234 Pages·2012·0.82 MB·English

by  Brett C. Stockdill

TRANSFORMING
IVORY TOWER
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E EDITED BY
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A BRETT C. STOCKDILL
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AND MARY YU DANICO
Transforming
the
ivory Tower
asian and pacific american
transcultural studies
Russell C. Leong
David K. Yoo
General Editors
Transforming
the
ivory Tower
Challenging Racism,
Sexism, and Homophobia
in the Academy
Edited by Brett C. Stockdill
and Mary Yu Danico
University of Hawai‘i Press
Honolulu
in association with UCLA
Asian American Studies Center
UCLA
© 2012 University of Hawai‘i Press
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
17 16 15 14 13 12 6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Transforming the ivory tower : challenging racism, sexism,
and homophobia in the academy / edited by Brett C. Stockdill
and Mary Yu Danico.
p. cm. — (Intersections)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8248-3526-2 (hardcover : alk. paper)
1. Discrimination in higher education—United States. 2. Racism
in higher education—United States. 3. Sexism in higher education—
United States. 4. Homophobia in higher education—United States.
I. Stockdill, Brett C. II. Danico, Mary Yu. III. Series: Intersections
(Honolulu, Hawaii)
LC212.42.T73 2012
378.1'982900973—dc23
2011036588
University of Hawai‘i Press books are printed on
acid-free paper and meet the guidelines for permanence
and durability of the Council on Library Resources.
Designed by Janette Thompson (Jansom)
Printed by IBT Global, Inc.
For Hank, who came into my life at just the right time
and who keeps me true to myself and to the world.
For Joey, Darin, and Carla, who continue to support
me and remind me of the beautiful potential of life.
—Brett C. Stockdill

For Kaira and Soleil, who already understand
that standing up and speaking out for justice is a must.
For Bryce, whose friendship and love is treasured and
who remains my steadfast supporter and partner.
—Mary Yu Danico

Contents
Acknowledgments | ix
CHAPTer one The Ivory Tower Paradox: Higher Education
as a Site of Oppression and Resistance | 1
Brett C. Stockdill and Mary Yu Danico
CHAPTer Two Transforming the Place That Rewards and
Oppresses Us | 31
Rick Bonus
CHAPTer THree Telling Our Stories, Naming Ourselves:
The Lost María in the Academy | 53
Christina Gómez
CHAPTer foUr Striving to Be Queer: Challenging Inequality
from Positions of Privilege | 66
Michael Armato
CHAPTer five One Activist Intellectual’s Experience in
Surviving and Transforming the Academy | 84
Jose Guillermo Zapata Calderon
CHAPTer Six Activist-Scholar Alliances for Social
Change: The Transformative Power of
University-Community Collaborations | 106
David Naguib Pellow
CHAPTer Seven Transformative Disjunctures in the Academy:
Asian American Studies as Praxis | 120
Linda Trinh Võ
CHAPTer eigHT Queering the Ivory Tower: Tales of a
Troublemaking Homosexual | 145
Brett C. Stockdill
References | 183
Contributors | 201
Index | 205

aCknowledgments
I owe a debt of thanks to my family and friends for their wisdom and
support during the course of this project. My coeditor, Mary Yu Danico,
has consistently demonstrated both passion and vision for this project as
well as a deep and enduring dedication to our friendship. Mike Armato
and Martha Thompson, my incredibly giving and insightful writing
group partners, read and commented on my chapter so many times they
could be coauthors. They nurtured my writing skills and offered invalu-
able conceptual, organizational, and emotional feedback.
Hank Ruelas, mi corazón, helped me believe in not only this proj-
ect, but also in myself, and he proved to be a copy editor par excellence.
My friend, comrade, and lesbian boyfriend, Joey Mogul, supported me
with great love and solidarity on our hundreds of “date nights,” care-
fully read my chapter, and provided editorial suggestions that strength-
ened it immensely. My querid@ Itzamna Arista, through his courage and
actions, has inspired me and challenged me over the years to persevere
and thrive. Newer friends Amanda Crawford and Mike Armato have
quickly become steadfast allies in kvetching, consoling, and conspiring.
I thank John Carney for helping me put away the ruler.
My mother, Joyce Pearson Stockdill, my first teacher, instilled in me
a love of both learning and teaching and a deep respect for the poten-
tial of all students. My father, James W. Stockdill, through spirit and
example, showed me that with privilege comes responsibility to speak
out against injustice. My brother, Darin Stockdill, and hermanita, Flor
de María Garay (aka Carla), have been at my side during my most pain-
ful and most joyful moments, comforting me and celebrating life with
me. My sister Juli MacKenzie and brother-in-law Mack MacKenzie made
time to help me relax and recuperate. My niece and nephews, Kelsey and
Devin MacKenzie and Andres and Emiliano Stockdill Garay, have been
a source of inspiration and laughter.