Hello; I've followed your blog for a long time, and love the variety of subjects you talk about regarding archaeology, anthropology, history, etc... I've just recently sent in an application for an Art History graduate program, which I'm excited about, but I am having sudden doubts about the areas I'm interested in. Do you think that, in our current cultural climate, it's wrong for a white person to want to study primarily white cultures? I feel guilty for connecting to the cultures I love.
Thank you for following, I really appreciate it!
Honestly, I don’t think that you should feel guilty about it. Like you said, these are the cultures that you are connecting with, and I personally think you have a higher chance of going into problematic territory if you study a non-white culture because it’s the woke thing to do.
That being said - as you move into your graduate studies, think about ways to look at other underrepresented populations. It’s more than just race that is overlooked: gender, sexuality, disability, religion, class, economic background, these are all issues that you can examine and research even within primarily white cultures. Or it could be something else, too! Find something that you find interesting, that you can make your own, and go after it.
And of course, there are also white cultures that themselves are overlooked. Ethnic minorities are present throughout all cultures, so I think the biggest thing is just doing your best to challenge the Authorised Narrative.
I hope this helps and good luck with your application!