We will also have as guest speakers two MIT faculty members familiar with the March 4 movement, the founding of the Union of Concerned Scientists, and the broader context of MIT in 1969: Aron Bernstein and Heather Lechtman. You can get a sense of the times from this MIT admissions video.  The older man appearing repeatedly throughout was Walter Rosenblith, who at the time held the important role of Chair of the Faculty. The film also includes Noam Chomsky, Shirley Ann Jackson (co-founder of the Black Students’ Union), math professor Alar Toomre bar-tending in 18.01, and more.

This week we examine the impact of intersectionality theory on activism. Developed by black feminist writers, the concept of intersectionality includes both a categorical element (a person’s combination of multiple social identities) and a political one (the impact of overlapping systems of oppression). An example of the salience of the categorical element can be found in this analysis of MIT climate surveys. The political element, on the other hand, reminds us of the importance of movement spillover and coalition building. Contemporary activists working with an intersectional lens recognize that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (King) and that single-issue activism often ends up further marginalizing oppressed peoples. As a result, intersectional activists focus on bringing attention to the systemic nature of oppression. They include several notable scientists such as Chanda Prescod-Weinstein and Ben Barres.

Essay for part three of Food Culture and Politics.

Final Paper for Food Culture and Politics 

A research paper relating to topics discussed in class will be the main assignment focus throughout the course [for people and other animals]. Undergraduate students must write a paper of a minimum of 12 pages, while graduate students have a minimum length of 25 pages.