Chapter 2 Diversity is Not Enough: Advocating and Organizing for Inclusion in Archaeology

Abstract

Racism, microaggressions, sexism, gendered, financial, ableism, and many more facets of discrimination are legacies still prevalent within the field of archaeology, perpetuating an environment of exclusion. Graduate students are particularly cognizant of the ways in which exclusion impacts their academic experiences and their choices to continue pursuing archaeology professionally and academically. Despite the rise of critical and collaborative approaches to the historical archaeologies of Indigeneity, the African Diaspora, and more, graduate programs often do not critically examine the historical and structural elements preventing an inclusive environment when courting students of visibly diverse backgrounds. There is a pragmatic disconnect between institutional discussions surrounding diversity and the tangible outcomes of these discussions at a grassroots level. Through the creation of the Community, Anti-Racist, Respect, Engagement (CARE) Inclusivity Committee, conversations among the student body in an interdisciplinary, community-centered, and collaborative historical archaeology graduate program have begun to address problems with exclusion and identify ways in which inclusion can be furthered. This chapter outlines the process and methodology used in the creation of the CARE Inclusivity Committee and subsequent workshop and offers thoughtful reflection about the effectiveness of grassroots organization at the graduate student level in advocating for change. CARE aims to create safe spaces where uncomfortable conversations are encouraged, to help both students and faculty acknowledge the different levels of exclusion. The goal is not only to foster an inclusive environment, but to create a sustainable process for future cohorts and empower other graduate students to enact tangible change.