The February 1 presentation at Washington University's St. Louis campus centers around a term defined by Merriam-Webster as “the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person.”
A promotion for the upcoming virtual event reads: “The term ‘professionalism’ has at times been used to silence and marginalize people of color when attributes of appearance, language or interactions that have nothing to do with job knowledge or constructive collegial relationships are labeled as ‘unprofessional’.
“In this context, so-called professionalism is coded language, a construct that upholds institutional racist policies and excluding practices.” As of Monday, 13 people expressed interest in the event, which will be hosted by the assistant dean of community partnerships Cynthia Williams and Jewel Stafford, director of the field education office's racial equity fellowship program.
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The event hosts did not respond to an inquiry for more information, but Stafford's research is focused on “examining racial/ethnic health disparities among medically underserved communities, specifically black populations,” according to her online University bio. The site describes Williams as “a skilled and highly motivated professional with 37 years of experience in academia.”
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During the hour-long discussion that will kick off Black History Month, the conversation also will touch on bringing down “White supremacy.” “This presentation will explore dismantling white supremacy and privilege in varied contexts while upholding social justice and advancing effective workplaces in which all contributors can bring their full selves to the job site,” the event description notes.
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The forum was widely mocked on social media.
“This should be a joke,” Ben Thompson wrote on Facebook. “Instead it’s actually garbage being taught. Proper English, a solid work ethic, knowledge, etc… are racist. Professionalism is racist…. This country is a laughing stock. “No other country on this planet is destroying itself like this one is. This is utterly insane.”
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Others turned to Twitter to express their dismay. “Washington University pushing racism courses,” @PatriciaNIzzo1 tweeted. “These Administrators need to be fired now! Where are the Parents who are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for tuition?” @hcaito46 added: “Can you get any more STUPID than this! If I were an alumnus, I would never give this “woke” factory another penny or even think about sending my kid there!”
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