[INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
DIEGO LOUKOTA SANCLEMENTE
diegoloukota at ucla.edu
Tue Apr 2 17:43:00 UTC 2019
Dear all,
The discussion has been going on for a while, but I felt I had to say
something too. I feel very strongly about these matters, and I think that
if INDOLOGY works at all like a trade guild of sorts, these are points that
we should discuss.
To Dr. Truschke, I would like to say thank you for bringing this forward.
I would encourage you to reach out with further specifics. I would be happy
to be of help in documenting anything untoward that you have experienced.
To Dr. Ruiz Falquès, that equality and equity are two very different
things. Blindly equal treatment for all persons under our current patterns
of dominance replicates those very same patterns of dominance. Equity is
the push to subvert that by giving preferential treatment to
underrepresented groups. The pay gap is an incontrovertible reality, in
general and in academia in particular. As a man, if a woman with equal
qualifications was preferred to me in a job search, I would be sincerely
happy because it would mean that the times are changing.
*namaskaromi*,
Diego Loukota
On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 11:00 AM <indology-request at list.indology.info> wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Date of K?mik?gama-uttarabh?ga (Harry Spier)
> 2. Data of Edgerton's Grammar (Seishi Karashima)
> 3. Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee (Audrey Truschke)
> 4. Re: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> (Jonathan Silk)
> 5. Re: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> (Aleix Ruiz Falqu?s)
> 6. Unfounded accusations of Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY
> governing committee (Philipp Maas)
> 7. Re: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee (Jon Skarpeid)
> 8. Re: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee (KORN Agnes)
> 9. Re: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> (Aleix Ruiz Falqu?s)
> 10. Re: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> (Jonathan Silk)
> 11. Re: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee (Jon Skarpeid)
> 12. Re: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> (Audrey Truschke)
> 13. Re: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> (Walser, Joseph)
> 14. Continuing my Krishna verses (Madhav Deshpande)
> 15. Re: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> (Aleksandar Uskokov)
> 16. Re: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> (Bradley Clough)
> 17. Re: Date of K?mik?gama-uttarabh?ga (Harry Spier)
> 18. Audrey Truscke's Email Message (Nemec, John William (jwn3y))
> 19. Re: Unfounded accusations of Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY
> governing committee (Tieken, H.J.H.)
> 20. Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> (Ram-Prasad, Chakravarthi)
> 21. Fw: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> (Ram-Prasad, Chakravarthi)
> 22. Re: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee (Jason Birch)
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Harry Spier <hspier.muktabodha at gmail.com>
> To: Indology <indology at list.indology.info>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2019 18:10:37 -0400
> Subject: [INDOLOGY] Date of Kāmikāgama-uttarabhāga
> Dear list members,
>
> Can anyone give me any information on the date of the Kāmikāgama-
> uttarabhāga.
>
> Thanks,
> Harry Spier
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Seishi Karashima <skarashima at gmail.com>
> To: "indology at list.indology.info" <INDOLOGY at list.indology.info>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 09:52:55 +0900
> Subject: [INDOLOGY] Data of Edgerton's Grammar
>
> Dear colleagues,
>
> I know that the searchable data of Edgerton’s Buddhist Sanskrit Dictionary
> are made open on the internet. Does anybody have also the data of his
> Grammar? What I need is not a PDF but a Word-file with Sanskrit diacritical
> marks.
>
>
> Dr. Katarzyna Marciniak and I are now making a three-volumed new edition
> of the Mahāvastu, basing on the 12th/13th century palm-leaf manuscript
> which retains many Middle Indic elements (Senart’s edition [1882~1897] was
> made on the basis of much Sanskritised manuscripts, dating from 1800 C.E.!,
> and he himself Sanskritised far further.). Accordingly, BHSG should be
> revised, because probably around 70% of the examples in it are quoted from
> Senart’s edition of the Mahāvastu. We are also planning to compile a
> glossary and grammar of the Mahāvastu, basing on the new edition in the
> same line with my work on the Abhisamācārikā Dharmāḥ of the same language
> and same school, namely Mahāsāṃghika-Lokottavādins –––– PDF is downloadable
> at the following websites:
>
> http://iriab.soka.ac.jp/en/publication/bppb.html
>
> https://www.academia.edu/14864500/
>
> http://glossaries.dila.edu.tw/glossaries/ADV?locale=en
>
>
> For this purpose, I need data (not PDF) of BHSG. If anybody has input
> data, please share them with me offline.
>
>
> In this connection, I announce that the third volume of the new edition of
> the Mahāvastu, ed. by Dr. Marciniak, 635 pp., is just published from our
> institute (31/March/2019) and its PDF will be uploaded on the website of
> IRIAB (http://iriab.soka.ac.jp/en/publication/bppb.html) by the beginning
> of May.
>
>
> With best regards,
>
> Seishi Karashima
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
> To: Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 09:55:13 +0200
> Subject: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>
> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism I
> have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
> explicit instructions here.
>
> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
> list a more equitable place.
>
> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>
> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
> turn, including in running this listserv.
>
> All the best,
>
> Audrey
>
> Audrey Truschke
> Assistant Professor
> Department of History
> Rutgers University-Newark
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Jonathan Silk <kauzeya at gmail.com>
> To: Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
> Cc: Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 10:19:53 +0200
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> Dear Dr Truschke
> I am sure that there are many members of this list who are concerned. But
> I confess that with the (lack of) information you provide, it is impossible
> for me either to understand what is actually going on, or what you suggest
> be done to correct the situation.
> I do not mean this in any way to be dismissive; it is a request for
> further information, and a proposed way forward.
> J Silk
>
> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 9:56 AM Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
>> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>>
>> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism I
>> have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
>> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
>> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
>> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
>> explicit instructions here.
>>
>> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
>> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
>> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
>> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
>> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
>> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
>> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
>> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
>> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
>> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
>> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
>> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
>> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
>> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
>> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
>> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
>> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
>> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
>> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
>> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
>> list a more equitable place.
>>
>> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
>> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
>> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
>> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
>> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
>> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
>> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>>
>> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
>> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
>> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
>> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
>> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
>> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
>> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
>> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
>> turn, including in running this listserv.
>>
>> All the best,
>>
>> Audrey
>>
>> Audrey Truschke
>> Assistant Professor
>> Department of History
>> Rutgers University-Newark
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>
>
> --
> J. Silk
> Leiden University
> Leiden University Institute for Area Studies, LIAS
> Matthias de Vrieshof 3, Room 0.05b
> 2311 BZ Leiden
> The Netherlands
>
> copies of my publications may be found at
> https://leidenuniv.academia.edu/JASilk
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Aleix Ruiz Falqués" <arfalques at cantab.net>
> To: Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
> Cc: Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 15:41:07 +0630
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> Dear Audrey,
>
> I am sure that there are a thousand things that can be improved. I think I
> know how you feel. Please see the following clause in one of the jobs I
> applied for, in Vienna, realted to Indology:
>
> The University pursues *a non-discriminatory employment policy* and
>> values equal opportunities, as well as diversity (
>> http://diversity.univie.ac.at/). The University lays special emphasis on
>> increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions. Given *equal
>> qualifications*, *preference will be given to female applicants. *
>
>
> So much for non-discrimination.
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Aleix
>
>
>
> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 14:25, Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
>> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>>
>> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism I
>> have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
>> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
>> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
>> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
>> explicit instructions here.
>>
>> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
>> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
>> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
>> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
>> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
>> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
>> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
>> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
>> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
>> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
>> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
>> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
>> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
>> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
>> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
>> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
>> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
>> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
>> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
>> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
>> list a more equitable place.
>>
>> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
>> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
>> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
>> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
>> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
>> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
>> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>>
>> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
>> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
>> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
>> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
>> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
>> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
>> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
>> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
>> turn, including in running this listserv.
>>
>> All the best,
>>
>> Audrey
>>
>> Audrey Truschke
>> Assistant Professor
>> Department of History
>> Rutgers University-Newark
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>
>
> --
> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
> Pali Lecturer
> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
> Shan State Buddhist University
> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
> (+95) 09428757648
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Philipp Maas <philipp.a.maas at gmail.com>
> To: Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 11:13:39 +0200
> Subject: [INDOLOGY] Unfounded accusations of Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY
> governing committee
>
> Dear Audrey,
>
> In your latest message to the Indology mailing list you stile yourself as
> a victim of sexism experienced in recent times during your work on the
> Indology committee. Moreover, you pretend to courageously blow the whistle
> against the explicit advice of your colleagues who want to keep you silent
> probably in order to save their reputation.
>
>
>
> In this situation, it may be of interest to the larger community of
> colleagues that as a fellow committee member I did not witness a single
> instance in which, contrary to your claim, you “met with blanket denials,
> belittling of … [your] concerns, declarations that discussing sexism is not
> a substantive issue, accusations of being a troublemaker, and flat out
> refusals to discuss gender issues.“ On the contrary, all committee members,
> irrespective of their ethnicity and sex, always take your concerns
> seriously and devote as much time to their discussion as possible under the
> time constrains we all have to face in our daily work. Of course, we there
> is disagreed. But disagreement is not necessarily an indication of sexism.
> It may also occur on the (lack of) merit of arguments.
>
>
>
> Your move to go public with unfounded accusations in order to strengthen
> you position in the committee is something for which I have very little
> understanding. It is utterly unfair to your colleagues who spend a lot of
> time and energy to keep this list running to the best of their abilities. I
> can’t believe that you are not aware of this.
>
>
>
> Best,
>
>
>
> Philipp
> __________________________
>
> Dr. Philipp A. Maas
> Research Associate
> Institut für Indologie und Zentralasienwissenschaften
> Universität Leipzig
> ___________________________
>
> https://spp1448.academia.edu/PhilippMaas
>
>
> Am Di., 2. Apr. 2019 um 10:21 Uhr schrieb Jonathan Silk via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info>:
>
>> Dear Dr Truschke
>> I am sure that there are many members of this list who are concerned. But
>> I confess that with the (lack of) information you provide, it is impossible
>> for me either to understand what is actually going on, or what you suggest
>> be done to correct the situation.
>> I do not mean this in any way to be dismissive; it is a request for
>> further information, and a proposed way forward.
>> J Silk
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 9:56 AM Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>
>>> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>>>
>>> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism
>>> I have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
>>> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
>>> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
>>> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
>>> explicit instructions here.
>>>
>>> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
>>> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
>>> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
>>> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
>>> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
>>> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
>>> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
>>> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
>>> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
>>> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
>>> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
>>> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
>>> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
>>> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
>>> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
>>> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
>>> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
>>> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
>>> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
>>> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
>>> list a more equitable place.
>>>
>>> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
>>> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
>>> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
>>> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
>>> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
>>> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
>>> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>>>
>>> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
>>> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
>>> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
>>> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
>>> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
>>> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
>>> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
>>> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
>>> turn, including in running this listserv.
>>>
>>> All the best,
>>>
>>> Audrey
>>>
>>> Audrey Truschke
>>> Assistant Professor
>>> Department of History
>>> Rutgers University-Newark
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>>> committee)
>>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options
>>> or unsubscribe)
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> J. Silk
>> Leiden University
>> Leiden University Institute for Area Studies, LIAS
>> Matthias de Vrieshof 3, Room 0.05b
>> 2311 BZ Leiden
>> The Netherlands
>>
>> copies of my publications may be found at
>> https://leidenuniv.academia.edu/JASilk
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Jon Skarpeid <jon.skarpeid at uis.no>
> To: "Indology List (indology at list.indology.info)" <
> indology at list.indology.info>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 09:28:29 +0000
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
> «A thousand things that can be improved» is the argument of
> relativization. Any wishes for change can be met with relativization, but
> it’s a poor argument.
>
>
>
> And dear Aleix, what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference
> will be given to female applicants”*? Perhaps one day we will need to
> change “female” with “male”. Who knows?
>
>
>
> Best,
>
> Jon
>
>
>
> *Fra:* INDOLOGY <indology-bounces at list.indology.info> *På vegne av* Aleix
> Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY
> *Sendt:* tirsdag 2. april 2019 11:11
> *Til:* Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
> *Kopi:* Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
> *Emne:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
>
>
> Dear Audrey,
>
>
>
> I am sure that there are a thousand things that can be improved. I think I
> know how you feel. Please see the following clause in one of the jobs I
> applied for, in Vienna, realted to Indology:
>
>
>
> The University pursues *a non-discriminatory employment policy* and
> values equal opportunities, as well as diversity (
> http://diversity.univie.ac.at/). The University lays special emphasis on
> increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions. Given *equal
> qualifications*, *preference will be given to female applicants. *
>
>
>
> So much for non-discrimination.
>
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Aleix
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 14:25, Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>
> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism I
> have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
> explicit instructions here.
>
>
> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
> list a more equitable place.
>
> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>
>
>
> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
> turn, including in running this listserv.
>
>
>
> All the best,
>
> Audrey
>
>
>
> Audrey Truschke
>
> Assistant Professor
>
> Department of History
> Rutgers University-Newark
>
> _______________________________________________
> INDOLOGY mailing list
> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
> committee)
> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
> unsubscribe)
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>
> Pali Lecturer
>
> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>
> Shan State Buddhist University
> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
> (+95) 09428757648
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: KORN Agnes <Agnes.KORN at cnrs.fr>
> To: "indology at list.indology.info" <indology at list.indology.info>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 09:48:50 +0000
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
> Dear colleague,
>
>
>
> The clause you cite automatically appears in any job advertisement in
> Austria and Germany in the public sector. It is a legal requirement and has
> nothing to do with the university or department in question. Such clauses
> were installed at some point because of (among other things) the
> appallingly low number of female professors (some 14% or so at the time the
> legislation was introduced).
>
>
>
> This number has slightly risen over the last decade, but so far as I can
> see this is chiefly due to more women available with the necessary
> qualifications; i.e. in percentage to women with those qualifications, the
> recruitments of women have not risen.
>
>
>
> Having been a member of the women’s council at the university of Frankfurt
> for over 10 years (where, for instance, the faculty of medicine was
> composed of 80 professors, of which no women (0%)), I can assure you that
> discrimination continues in spite of all these clauses.
>
>
>
> Best,
>
> Agnes
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* INDOLOGY [mailto:indology-bounces at list.indology.info] *On Behalf
> Of *Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 02, 2019 11:11 AM
> *To:* Audrey Truschke
> *Cc:* Indology List
> *Subject:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
>
>
> Dear Audrey,
>
>
>
> I am sure that there are a thousand things that can be improved. I think I
> know how you feel. Please see the following clause in one of the jobs I
> applied for, in Vienna, realted to Indology:
>
>
>
> The University pursues *a non-discriminatory employment policy* and
> values equal opportunities, as well as diversity (
> http://diversity.univie.ac.at/). The University lays special emphasis on
> increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions. Given *
> equal qualifications*, *preference will be given to female applicants. *
>
>
>
> So much for non-discrimination.
>
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Aleix
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 14:25, Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>
> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism I
> have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
> explicit instructions here.
>
>
> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
> list a more equitable place.
>
> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>
>
>
> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
> turn, including in running this listserv.
>
>
>
> All the best,
>
> Audrey
>
>
>
> Audrey Truschke
>
> Assistant Professor
>
> Department of History
> Rutgers University-Newark
>
> _______________________________________________
> INDOLOGY mailing list
> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
> committee)
> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
> unsubscribe)
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>
> Pali Lecturer
>
> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>
> Shan State Buddhist University
> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
> (+95) 09428757648
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Aleix Ruiz Falqués" <arfalques at cantab.net>
> To: Jon Skarpeid <jon.skarpeid at uis.no>
> Cc: "Indology List (indology at list.indology.info)" <
> indology at list.indology.info>
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 16:59:55 +0630
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> Dear Jon and Agnes,
>
> The clause you cite automatically appears in any job advertisement in
>> Austria and Germany in the public sector. It is a legal requirement and has
>> nothing to do with the university or department in question. Such clauses
>> were installed at some point because of (among other things) the
>> appallingly low number of female professors (some 14% or so at the time the
>> legislation was introduced).
>
>
> Thank you for the comment. I apologise, I didn't know that universities to
> not follow the rules. I thought that this clause was actually taken into
> account. The statement is discriminatory against men, nonetheless, and as
> an applicant, I wondered if it was really worth trying. Again, that could
> be the whole purpose of the clause. I don´t know. I just felt it was unfair
> to men, not to men as a social class, but to particular individuals who may
> have nothing to do with structural sexism. If you think that´s not the
> case, then we disagree and that is fine.
>
> what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference will
>> be given to female applicants”*?
>
>
> The problem is not in this line, but in the previous one, where it says *non-discriminatory
> employment policy*. Will you agree that when preference is given on the
> basis of gender, this is a discriminatory statement? Perhaps I got it wrong.
>
> Jon, when I say that a thousand things can be changed I mean they should
> be, and I think the debate is positive, including the debate on
> discriminatory clauses. I did not mean anything against Audrey, whom I
> personally know I respect very much, as a friend and as a scholar.
> Apologies if anyone felt offended. I am looking forward to what Audrey has
> to say.
>
> Best wishes,
> Aleix
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 15:58, Jon Skarpeid via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
>> «A thousand things that can be improved» is the argument of
>> relativization. Any wishes for change can be met with relativization, but
>> it’s a poor argument.
>>
>>
>>
>> And dear Aleix, what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference
>> will be given to female applicants”*? Perhaps one day we will need to
>> change “female” with “male”. Who knows?
>>
>>
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Jon
>>
>>
>>
>> *Fra:* INDOLOGY <indology-bounces at list.indology.info> *På vegne av*
>> Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY
>> *Sendt:* tirsdag 2. april 2019 11:11
>> *Til:* Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
>> *Kopi:* Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
>> *Emne:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear Audrey,
>>
>>
>>
>> I am sure that there are a thousand things that can be improved. I think
>> I know how you feel. Please see the following clause in one of the jobs I
>> applied for, in Vienna, realted to Indology:
>>
>>
>>
>> The University pursues *a non-discriminatory employment policy* and
>> values equal opportunities, as well as diversity (
>> http://diversity.univie.ac.at/). The University lays special emphasis on
>> increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions. Given *equal
>> qualifications*, *preference will be given to female applicants. *
>>
>>
>>
>> So much for non-discrimination.
>>
>>
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Aleix
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 14:25, Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>>
>> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism I
>> have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
>> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
>> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
>> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
>> explicit instructions here.
>>
>>
>> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
>> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
>> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
>> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
>> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
>> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
>> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
>> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
>> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
>> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
>> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
>> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
>> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
>> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
>> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
>> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
>> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
>> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
>> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
>> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
>> list a more equitable place.
>>
>> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
>> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
>> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
>> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
>> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
>> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
>> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>>
>>
>>
>> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
>> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
>> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
>> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
>> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
>> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
>> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
>> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
>> turn, including in running this listserv.
>>
>>
>>
>> All the best,
>>
>> Audrey
>>
>>
>>
>> Audrey Truschke
>>
>> Assistant Professor
>>
>> Department of History
>> Rutgers University-Newark
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>>
>> Pali Lecturer
>>
>> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>>
>> Shan State Buddhist University
>> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
>> (+95) 09428757648
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>
>
> --
> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
> Pali Lecturer
> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
> Shan State Buddhist University
> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
> (+95) 09428757648
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Jonathan Silk <kauzeya at gmail.com>
> To: "Aleix Ruiz Falqués" <arfalques at cantab.net>
> Cc: Jon Skarpeid <jon.skarpeid at uis.no>, "Indology List (
> indology at list.indology.info)" <indology at list.indology.info>
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 13:03:17 +0200
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> Dear All
> First, I want to clarify that I think these discussions are important--in
> the context of Indology.
> However, this list is not, in my opinion, the place to debate (etc)
> institutional forms of discrimination, fundamentally important as they no
> doubt are. There are so many things which so many of us are passionate
> about, but this list is about Indian Studies, and while that surely
> includes the conduct of the management of the list itself, the recently
> discussed Sanskrit conference, and matters of that ilk, it does not
> include, I would maintain, German or Austrian higher education as a whole,
> for example. So my plea to all of us is to focus on the topics relevant to
> this list here, and find other fora for other conversations.
> Thank you for listening,
> Joanthan
>
> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 12:30 PM Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
>> Dear Jon and Agnes,
>>
>> The clause you cite automatically appears in any job advertisement in
>>> Austria and Germany in the public sector. It is a legal requirement and has
>>> nothing to do with the university or department in question. Such clauses
>>> were installed at some point because of (among other things) the
>>> appallingly low number of female professors (some 14% or so at the time the
>>> legislation was introduced).
>>
>>
>> Thank you for the comment. I apologise, I didn't know that universities
>> to not follow the rules. I thought that this clause was actually taken into
>> account. The statement is discriminatory against men, nonetheless, and as
>> an applicant, I wondered if it was really worth trying. Again, that could
>> be the whole purpose of the clause. I don´t know. I just felt it was unfair
>> to men, not to men as a social class, but to particular individuals who may
>> have nothing to do with structural sexism. If you think that´s not the
>> case, then we disagree and that is fine.
>>
>> what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference will
>>> be given to female applicants”*?
>>
>>
>> The problem is not in this line, but in the previous one, where it says *non-discriminatory
>> employment policy*. Will you agree that when preference is given on the
>> basis of gender, this is a discriminatory statement? Perhaps I got it wrong.
>>
>> Jon, when I say that a thousand things can be changed I mean they should
>> be, and I think the debate is positive, including the debate on
>> discriminatory clauses. I did not mean anything against Audrey, whom I
>> personally know I respect very much, as a friend and as a scholar.
>> Apologies if anyone felt offended. I am looking forward to what Audrey has
>> to say.
>>
>> Best wishes,
>> Aleix
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 15:58, Jon Skarpeid via INDOLOGY <
>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>
>>> «A thousand things that can be improved» is the argument of
>>> relativization. Any wishes for change can be met with relativization, but
>>> it’s a poor argument.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> And dear Aleix, what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference
>>> will be given to female applicants”*? Perhaps one day we will need to
>>> change “female” with “male”. Who knows?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Jon
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Fra:* INDOLOGY <indology-bounces at list.indology.info> *På vegne av*
>>> Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY
>>> *Sendt:* tirsdag 2. april 2019 11:11
>>> *Til:* Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
>>> *Kopi:* Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
>>> *Emne:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Dear Audrey,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I am sure that there are a thousand things that can be improved. I think
>>> I know how you feel. Please see the following clause in one of the jobs I
>>> applied for, in Vienna, realted to Indology:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The University pursues *a non-discriminatory employment policy* and
>>> values equal opportunities, as well as diversity (
>>> http://diversity.univie.ac.at/). The University lays special emphasis
>>> on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions.
>>> Given *equal qualifications*, *preference will be given to female
>>> applicants. *
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> So much for non-discrimination.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Best wishes,
>>>
>>> Aleix
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 14:25, Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
>>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>>
>>> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>>>
>>> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism
>>> I have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
>>> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
>>> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
>>> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
>>> explicit instructions here.
>>>
>>>
>>> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
>>> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
>>> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
>>> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
>>> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
>>> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
>>> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
>>> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
>>> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
>>> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
>>> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
>>> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
>>> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
>>> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
>>> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
>>> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
>>> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
>>> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
>>> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
>>> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
>>> list a more equitable place.
>>>
>>> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
>>> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
>>> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
>>> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
>>> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
>>> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
>>> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
>>> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
>>> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
>>> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
>>> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
>>> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
>>> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
>>> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
>>> turn, including in running this listserv.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> All the best,
>>>
>>> Audrey
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Audrey Truschke
>>>
>>> Assistant Professor
>>>
>>> Department of History
>>> Rutgers University-Newark
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>>> committee)
>>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options
>>> or unsubscribe)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>>>
>>> Pali Lecturer
>>>
>>> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>>>
>>> Shan State Buddhist University
>>> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
>>> (+95) 09428757648
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>>> committee)
>>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options
>>> or unsubscribe)
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>> Pali Lecturer
>> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>> Shan State Buddhist University
>> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
>> (+95) 09428757648
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>
>
> --
> J. Silk
> Leiden University
> Leiden University Institute for Area Studies, LIAS
> Matthias de Vrieshof 3, Room 0.05b
> 2311 BZ Leiden
> The Netherlands
>
> copies of my publications may be found at
> https://leidenuniv.academia.edu/JASilk
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Jon Skarpeid <jon.skarpeid at uis.no>
> To: "Indology List (indology at list.indology.info)" <
> indology at list.indology.info>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 11:17:33 +0000
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
> “Given equal qualifications”, I do not find it a discriminatory that
> institutions prefer gender, minority, or whatever. All branches of public
> life should (somehow) reflect the population. “Equal qualifications” is a
> soft tool.
>
>
>
> But I agree with Jonathan, we should leave German or Austrian higher
> education. However, if sexism is a reality at Indology, we can’t simply
> dismiss the debate by referring to the “Sanskrit conference, and matters of
> that ilk”.
>
>
>
> Best,
>
> Jon
>
>
>
>
>
> *Fra:* Jonathan Silk <kauzeya at gmail.com>
> *Sendt:* tirsdag 2. april 2019 13:03
> *Til:* Aleix Ruiz Falqués <arfalques at cantab.net>
> *Kopi:* Jon Skarpeid <jon.skarpeid at uis.no>; Indology List (
> indology at list.indology.info) <indology at list.indology.info>
> *Emne:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
>
>
> Dear All
>
> First, I want to clarify that I think these discussions are important--in
> the context of Indology.
>
> However, this list is not, in my opinion, the place to debate (etc)
> institutional forms of discrimination, fundamentally important as they no
> doubt are. There are so many things which so many of us are passionate
> about, but this list is about Indian Studies, and while that surely
> includes the conduct of the management of the list itself, the recently
> discussed Sanskrit conference, and matters of that ilk, it does not
> include, I would maintain, German or Austrian higher education as a whole,
> for example. So my plea to all of us is to focus on the topics relevant to
> this list here, and find other fora for other conversations.
>
> Thank you for listening,
>
> Joanthan
>
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 12:30 PM Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
> Dear Jon and Agnes,
>
>
>
> The clause you cite automatically appears in any job advertisement in
> Austria and Germany in the public sector. It is a legal requirement and has
> nothing to do with the university or department in question. Such clauses
> were installed at some point because of (among other things) the
> appallingly low number of female professors (some 14% or so at the time the
> legislation was introduced).
>
>
>
> Thank you for the comment. I apologise, I didn't know that universities to
> not follow the rules. I thought that this clause was actually taken into
> account. The statement is discriminatory against men, nonetheless, and as
> an applicant, I wondered if it was really worth trying. Again, that could
> be the whole purpose of the clause. I don´t know. I just felt it was unfair
> to men, not to men as a social class, but to particular individuals who may
> have nothing to do with structural sexism. If you think that´s not the
> case, then we disagree and that is fine.
>
>
>
> what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference will
> be given to female applicants”*?
>
>
>
> The problem is not in this line, but in the previous one, where it says *non-discriminatory
> employment policy*. Will you agree that when preference is given on the
> basis of gender, this is a discriminatory statement? Perhaps I got it wrong.
>
>
>
> Jon, when I say that a thousand things can be changed I mean they should
> be, and I think the debate is positive, including the debate on
> discriminatory clauses. I did not mean anything against Audrey, whom I
> personally know I respect very much, as a friend and as a scholar.
> Apologies if anyone felt offended. I am looking forward to what Audrey has
> to say.
>
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Aleix
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 15:58, Jon Skarpeid via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
> «A thousand things that can be improved» is the argument of
> relativization. Any wishes for change can be met with relativization, but
> it’s a poor argument.
>
>
>
> And dear Aleix, what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference
> will be given to female applicants”*? Perhaps one day we will need to
> change “female” with “male”. Who knows?
>
>
>
> Best,
>
> Jon
>
>
>
> *Fra:* INDOLOGY <indology-bounces at list.indology.info> *På vegne av* Aleix
> Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY
> *Sendt:* tirsdag 2. april 2019 11:11
> *Til:* Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
> *Kopi:* Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
> *Emne:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
>
>
> Dear Audrey,
>
>
>
> I am sure that there are a thousand things that can be improved. I think I
> know how you feel. Please see the following clause in one of the jobs I
> applied for, in Vienna, realted to Indology:
>
>
>
> The University pursues *a non-discriminatory employment policy* and
> values equal opportunities, as well as diversity (
> http://diversity.univie.ac.at/). The University lays special emphasis on
> increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions. Given *equal
> qualifications*, *preference will be given to female applicants. *
>
>
>
> So much for non-discrimination.
>
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Aleix
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 14:25, Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>
> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism I
> have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
> explicit instructions here.
>
>
> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
> list a more equitable place.
>
> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>
>
>
> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
> turn, including in running this listserv.
>
>
>
> All the best,
>
> Audrey
>
>
>
> Audrey Truschke
>
> Assistant Professor
>
> Department of History
> Rutgers University-Newark
>
> _______________________________________________
> INDOLOGY mailing list
> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
> committee)
> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
> unsubscribe)
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>
> Pali Lecturer
>
> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>
> Shan State Buddhist University
> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
> (+95) 09428757648
>
> _______________________________________________
> INDOLOGY mailing list
> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
> committee)
> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
> unsubscribe)
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>
> Pali Lecturer
>
> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>
> Shan State Buddhist University
> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
> (+95) 09428757648
>
> _______________________________________________
> INDOLOGY mailing list
> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
> committee)
> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
> unsubscribe)
>
>
>
> --
>
> J. Silk
> Leiden University
>
> Leiden University Institute for Area Studies, LIAS
>
> Matthias de Vrieshof 3, Room 0.05b
>
> 2311 BZ Leiden
>
> The Netherlands
>
>
>
> copies of my publications may be found at
>
> https://leidenuniv.academia.edu/JASilk
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
> To:
> Cc: "Indology List (indology at list.indology.info)" <
> indology at list.indology.info>
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 14:11:06 +0200
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>
> Dr. Silk raises a valid point, which is that I am slightly vague in my
> account of what has happened. I would encourage everyone to be sensitive to
> the fact that other committee members have repeatedly told me, often
> angrily, to not share their emails and to not discuss any of this with the
> list at large. There are real risks for women who choose to come forward
> with these sorts of concerns.
>
> That said, I do point to some specific things, such as an attempt to
> encourage me to resign when I pointed out bias (March 2019; in an e-mail),
> refusals to talk about possible bias (numerous e-mails; fall 2018), and
> persistent demands that I keep silent about what I experience as abuse and
> intimidation (repeated over the past year or so). To add another specific
> case, last week a committee member wrote to Dr. Paturi and chastised him
> for writing 'thank you' to the entire list regarding the post I sent around
> sharing Anand Venkatkrishnan's excellent blog post on female Sanskritists
> and sexism. Indology members say thank you to the list all the time without
> complaint, and so this was a targeted silencing of a discussion about
> discrimination against women in our profession (and it worked). I think
> this is a fair amount of precision and several discrete instances. I do not
> know whether the intent was sexist or biased in any specific case, but the
> effects were.
>
> So far as how to move forward, I recommend a few concrete steps. All are
> aimed to redirecting the committee's energy toward making both the
> committee and the list a more equitable, welcoming place. (1) I want gender
> parity, or at least approaching gender parity, on the INDOLOGY governing
> committee by adding female members. I think everyone on this list should
> value and want gender parity. (2) I want the committee to take further
> steps to address bias issues, whether that is bias training, a system for
> adjudicating complaints, shaking up committee membership, or something
> else. Whatever we decide, I would like those steps announced to the list at
> large. (3) Personally, I think that the individual who suggested that I
> resign after pointing out bias should instead, himself, consider stepping
> down. But I will not press this particular point.
>
> Another thing that I wish to achieve here is awareness and space for
> conversation. Indology as a discipline may be focused on classical India,
> but we exist in the modern world, and modern issues of bias are a
> legitimate topic for scholars to discuss on INDOLOGY (preferably without
> declarations by list members that a given discussion of bias and
> discrimination is inappropriate on INDOLOGY). I would like issues of bias
> and discrimination treated seriously on this list and on the governing
> committee going forward.
>
> Thank you for your time and consideration.
>
> All the Best,
>
> Audrey Truschke
> Assistant Professor
> Department of History
> Rutgers University-Newark
> Audrey Truschke
> Assistant Professor
> Department of History
> Rutgers University-Newark
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 1:18 PM Jon Skarpeid via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
>> “Given equal qualifications”, I do not find it a discriminatory that
>> institutions prefer gender, minority, or whatever. All branches of public
>> life should (somehow) reflect the population. “Equal qualifications” is a
>> soft tool.
>>
>>
>>
>> But I agree with Jonathan, we should leave German or Austrian higher
>> education. However, if sexism is a reality at Indology, we can’t simply
>> dismiss the debate by referring to the “Sanskrit conference, and matters of
>> that ilk”.
>>
>>
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Jon
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *Fra:* Jonathan Silk <kauzeya at gmail.com>
>> *Sendt:* tirsdag 2. april 2019 13:03
>> *Til:* Aleix Ruiz Falqués <arfalques at cantab.net>
>> *Kopi:* Jon Skarpeid <jon.skarpeid at uis.no>; Indology List (
>> indology at list.indology.info) <indology at list.indology.info>
>> *Emne:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear All
>>
>> First, I want to clarify that I think these discussions are important--in
>> the context of Indology.
>>
>> However, this list is not, in my opinion, the place to debate (etc)
>> institutional forms of discrimination, fundamentally important as they no
>> doubt are. There are so many things which so many of us are passionate
>> about, but this list is about Indian Studies, and while that surely
>> includes the conduct of the management of the list itself, the recently
>> discussed Sanskrit conference, and matters of that ilk, it does not
>> include, I would maintain, German or Austrian higher education as a whole,
>> for example. So my plea to all of us is to focus on the topics relevant to
>> this list here, and find other fora for other conversations.
>>
>> Thank you for listening,
>>
>> Joanthan
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 12:30 PM Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY <
>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Jon and Agnes,
>>
>>
>>
>> The clause you cite automatically appears in any job advertisement in
>> Austria and Germany in the public sector. It is a legal requirement and has
>> nothing to do with the university or department in question. Such clauses
>> were installed at some point because of (among other things) the
>> appallingly low number of female professors (some 14% or so at the time the
>> legislation was introduced).
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you for the comment. I apologise, I didn't know that universities
>> to not follow the rules. I thought that this clause was actually taken into
>> account. The statement is discriminatory against men, nonetheless, and as
>> an applicant, I wondered if it was really worth trying. Again, that could
>> be the whole purpose of the clause. I don´t know. I just felt it was unfair
>> to men, not to men as a social class, but to particular individuals who may
>> have nothing to do with structural sexism. If you think that´s not the
>> case, then we disagree and that is fine.
>>
>>
>>
>> what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference will
>> be given to female applicants”*?
>>
>>
>>
>> The problem is not in this line, but in the previous one, where it says *non-discriminatory
>> employment policy*. Will you agree that when preference is given on the
>> basis of gender, this is a discriminatory statement? Perhaps I got it wrong.
>>
>>
>>
>> Jon, when I say that a thousand things can be changed I mean they should
>> be, and I think the debate is positive, including the debate on
>> discriminatory clauses. I did not mean anything against Audrey, whom I
>> personally know I respect very much, as a friend and as a scholar.
>> Apologies if anyone felt offended. I am looking forward to what Audrey has
>> to say.
>>
>>
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Aleix
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 15:58, Jon Skarpeid via INDOLOGY <
>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>
>> «A thousand things that can be improved» is the argument of
>> relativization. Any wishes for change can be met with relativization, but
>> it’s a poor argument.
>>
>>
>>
>> And dear Aleix, what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference
>> will be given to female applicants”*? Perhaps one day we will need to
>> change “female” with “male”. Who knows?
>>
>>
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Jon
>>
>>
>>
>> *Fra:* INDOLOGY <indology-bounces at list.indology.info> *På vegne av*
>> Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY
>> *Sendt:* tirsdag 2. april 2019 11:11
>> *Til:* Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
>> *Kopi:* Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
>> *Emne:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>>
>>
>>
>> Dear Audrey,
>>
>>
>>
>> I am sure that there are a thousand things that can be improved. I think
>> I know how you feel. Please see the following clause in one of the jobs I
>> applied for, in Vienna, realted to Indology:
>>
>>
>>
>> The University pursues *a non-discriminatory employment policy* and
>> values equal opportunities, as well as diversity (
>> http://diversity.univie.ac.at/). The University lays special emphasis on
>> increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions. Given *equal
>> qualifications*, *preference will be given to female applicants. *
>>
>>
>>
>> So much for non-discrimination.
>>
>>
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Aleix
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 14:25, Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>>
>> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism I
>> have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
>> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
>> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
>> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
>> explicit instructions here.
>>
>>
>> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
>> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
>> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
>> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
>> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
>> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
>> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
>> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
>> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
>> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
>> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
>> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
>> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
>> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
>> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
>> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
>> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
>> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
>> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
>> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
>> list a more equitable place.
>>
>> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
>> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
>> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
>> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
>> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
>> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
>> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>>
>>
>>
>> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
>> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
>> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
>> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
>> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
>> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
>> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
>> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
>> turn, including in running this listserv.
>>
>>
>>
>> All the best,
>>
>> Audrey
>>
>>
>>
>> Audrey Truschke
>>
>> Assistant Professor
>>
>> Department of History
>> Rutgers University-Newark
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>>
>> Pali Lecturer
>>
>> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>>
>> Shan State Buddhist University
>> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
>> (+95) 09428757648
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>>
>> Pali Lecturer
>>
>> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>>
>> Shan State Buddhist University
>> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
>> (+95) 09428757648
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> J. Silk
>> Leiden University
>>
>> Leiden University Institute for Area Studies, LIAS
>>
>> Matthias de Vrieshof 3, Room 0.05b
>>
>> 2311 BZ Leiden
>>
>> The Netherlands
>>
>>
>>
>> copies of my publications may be found at
>>
>> https://leidenuniv.academia.edu/JASilk
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Walser, Joseph" <Joseph.Walser at tufts.edu>
> To: Jonathan Silk <kauzeya at gmail.com>, "Aleix Ruiz Falqués" <
> arfalques at cantab.net>
> Cc: "Indology List (indology at list.indology.info)" <
> indology at list.indology.info>
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 12:36:58 +0000
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> While Jonathan is correct that this is a list about Indian Studies, I do
> think that it is very much in the interest of the list to address issues of
> bias and intimidation that Audrey mentioned. Any field of scholarship is an
> all hands on deck affair. If we want to reach our full potential, then we
> cannot afford to have some of us intimidated into not sharing work,
> opinions, etc. because of things like gender bias.
> -j
>
> Joseph Walser
>
> Associate Professor
>
> Department of Religion
>
> Tufts University
> ------------------------------
> *From:* INDOLOGY [indology-bounces at list.indology.info] on behalf of
> Jonathan Silk via INDOLOGY [indology at list.indology.info]
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 02, 2019 7:03 AM
> *To:* Aleix Ruiz Falqués
> *Cc:* Indology List (indology at list.indology.info)
> *Subject:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
> Dear All
> First, I want to clarify that I think these discussions are important--in
> the context of Indology.
> However, this list is not, in my opinion, the place to debate (etc)
> institutional forms of discrimination, fundamentally important as they no
> doubt are. There are so many things which so many of us are passionate
> about, but this list is about Indian Studies, and while that surely
> includes the conduct of the management of the list itself, the recently
> discussed Sanskrit conference, and matters of that ilk, it does not
> include, I would maintain, German or Austrian higher education as a whole,
> for example. So my plea to all of us is to focus on the topics relevant to
> this list here, and find other fora for other conversations.
> Thank you for listening,
> Joanthan
>
> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 12:30 PM Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
>> Dear Jon and Agnes,
>>
>> The clause you cite automatically appears in any job advertisement in
>>> Austria and Germany in the public sector. It is a legal requirement and has
>>> nothing to do with the university or department in question. Such clauses
>>> were installed at some point because of (among other things) the
>>> appallingly low number of female professors (some 14% or so at the time the
>>> legislation was introduced).
>>
>>
>> Thank you for the comment. I apologise, I didn't know that universities
>> to not follow the rules. I thought that this clause was actually taken into
>> account. The statement is discriminatory against men, nonetheless, and as
>> an applicant, I wondered if it was really worth trying. Again, that could
>> be the whole purpose of the clause. I don´t know. I just felt it was unfair
>> to men, not to men as a social class, but to particular individuals who may
>> have nothing to do with structural sexism. If you think that´s not the
>> case, then we disagree and that is fine.
>>
>> what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference will
>>> be given to female applicants”*?
>>
>>
>> The problem is not in this line, but in the previous one, where it says *non-discriminatory
>> employment policy*. Will you agree that when preference is given on the
>> basis of gender, this is a discriminatory statement? Perhaps I got it wrong.
>>
>> Jon, when I say that a thousand things can be changed I mean they should
>> be, and I think the debate is positive, including the debate on
>> discriminatory clauses. I did not mean anything against Audrey, whom I
>> personally know I respect very much, as a friend and as a scholar.
>> Apologies if anyone felt offended. I am looking forward to what Audrey has
>> to say.
>>
>> Best wishes,
>> Aleix
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 15:58, Jon Skarpeid via INDOLOGY <
>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>
>>> «A thousand things that can be improved» is the argument of
>>> relativization. Any wishes for change can be met with relativization, but
>>> it’s a poor argument.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> And dear Aleix, what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference
>>> will be given to female applicants”*? Perhaps one day we will need to
>>> change “female” with “male”. Who knows?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Jon
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Fra:* INDOLOGY <indology-bounces at list.indology.info> *På vegne av*
>>> Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY
>>> *Sendt:* tirsdag 2. april 2019 11:11
>>> *Til:* Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
>>> *Kopi:* Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
>>> *Emne:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Dear Audrey,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I am sure that there are a thousand things that can be improved. I think
>>> I know how you feel. Please see the following clause in one of the jobs I
>>> applied for, in Vienna, realted to Indology:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The University pursues *a non-discriminatory employment policy* and
>>> values equal opportunities, as well as diversity (
>>> http://diversity.univie.ac.at/). The University lays special emphasis
>>> on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions.
>>> Given *equal qualifications*, *preference will be given to female
>>> applicants. *
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> So much for non-discrimination.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Best wishes,
>>>
>>> Aleix
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 14:25, Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
>>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>>
>>> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>>>
>>> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism
>>> I have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
>>> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
>>> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
>>> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
>>> explicit instructions here.
>>>
>>>
>>> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
>>> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
>>> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
>>> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
>>> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
>>> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
>>> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
>>> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
>>> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
>>> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
>>> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
>>> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
>>> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
>>> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
>>> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
>>> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
>>> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
>>> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
>>> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
>>> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
>>> list a more equitable place.
>>>
>>> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
>>> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
>>> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
>>> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
>>> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
>>> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
>>> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
>>> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
>>> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
>>> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
>>> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
>>> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
>>> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
>>> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
>>> turn, including in running this listserv.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> All the best,
>>>
>>> Audrey
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Audrey Truschke
>>>
>>> Assistant Professor
>>>
>>> Department of History
>>> Rutgers University-Newark
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>>> committee)
>>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options
>>> or unsubscribe)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>>>
>>> Pali Lecturer
>>>
>>> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>>>
>>> Shan State Buddhist University
>>> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
>>> (+95) 09428757648
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>>> committee)
>>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options
>>> or unsubscribe)
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>> Pali Lecturer
>> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>> Shan State Buddhist University
>> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
>> (+95) 09428757648
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>
>
> --
> J. Silk
> Leiden University
> Leiden University Institute for Area Studies, LIAS
> Matthias de Vrieshof 3, Room 0.05b
> 2311 BZ Leiden
> The Netherlands
>
> copies of my publications may be found at
> https://leidenuniv.academia.edu/JASilk
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Madhav Deshpande <mmdesh at umich.edu>
> To: Indology <indology at list.indology.info>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 05:39:54 -0700
> Subject: [INDOLOGY] Continuing my Krishna verses
> Continuing my Krishna verses
>
> एक एवाद्वितीय: सन्नकामयत माधव: ।
> होलिकाखेलनार्थाय लीलया बहुधा बभौ ।।६९८।।
> Being one without a second, Krishna had a desire. In order to celebrate
> Holi, he appeared in multiple forms.
>
> Madhav M. Deshpande
> Professor Emeritus
> Sanskrit and Linguistics
> University of Michigan
> [Residence: Campbell, California]
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Aleksandar Uskokov <uskokov at uchicago.edu>
> To: Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
> Cc: "Indology List (indology at list.indology.info)" <
> indology at list.indology.info>
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 08:44:39 -0400
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> Dear Audrey,
>
> Could we have some clarity first as to what the committee actually does?
> Since the list is not moderated, the workload of the committee is not
> transparent to me, except for the need to approve membership requests and
> occasionally intervene when discussions go astray. Why would it be
> justified to add more female members for the sake of gender parity, rather
> than having, say, two members (with gender parity) managing the list?
>
> Best wishes,
> Aleksandar
>
> Aleksandar Uskokov
>
> Lector in Sanskrit
>
> South Asian Studies Council, Yale University
>
> 203-432-1972 | aleksandar.uskokov at yale.edu
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 8:12 AM Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
>> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>>
>> Dr. Silk raises a valid point, which is that I am slightly vague in my
>> account of what has happened. I would encourage everyone to be sensitive to
>> the fact that other committee members have repeatedly told me, often
>> angrily, to not share their emails and to not discuss any of this with the
>> list at large. There are real risks for women who choose to come forward
>> with these sorts of concerns.
>>
>> That said, I do point to some specific things, such as an attempt to
>> encourage me to resign when I pointed out bias (March 2019; in an e-mail),
>> refusals to talk about possible bias (numerous e-mails; fall 2018), and
>> persistent demands that I keep silent about what I experience as abuse and
>> intimidation (repeated over the past year or so). To add another specific
>> case, last week a committee member wrote to Dr. Paturi and chastised him
>> for writing 'thank you' to the entire list regarding the post I sent around
>> sharing Anand Venkatkrishnan's excellent blog post on female Sanskritists
>> and sexism. Indology members say thank you to the list all the time without
>> complaint, and so this was a targeted silencing of a discussion about
>> discrimination against women in our profession (and it worked). I think
>> this is a fair amount of precision and several discrete instances. I do not
>> know whether the intent was sexist or biased in any specific case, but the
>> effects were.
>>
>> So far as how to move forward, I recommend a few concrete steps. All are
>> aimed to redirecting the committee's energy toward making both the
>> committee and the list a more equitable, welcoming place. (1) I want gender
>> parity, or at least approaching gender parity, on the INDOLOGY governing
>> committee by adding female members. I think everyone on this list should
>> value and want gender parity. (2) I want the committee to take further
>> steps to address bias issues, whether that is bias training, a system for
>> adjudicating complaints, shaking up committee membership, or something
>> else. Whatever we decide, I would like those steps announced to the list at
>> large. (3) Personally, I think that the individual who suggested that I
>> resign after pointing out bias should instead, himself, consider stepping
>> down. But I will not press this particular point.
>>
>> Another thing that I wish to achieve here is awareness and space for
>> conversation. Indology as a discipline may be focused on classical India,
>> but we exist in the modern world, and modern issues of bias are a
>> legitimate topic for scholars to discuss on INDOLOGY (preferably without
>> declarations by list members that a given discussion of bias and
>> discrimination is inappropriate on INDOLOGY). I would like issues of bias
>> and discrimination treated seriously on this list and on the governing
>> committee going forward.
>>
>> Thank you for your time and consideration.
>>
>> All the Best,
>>
>> Audrey Truschke
>> Assistant Professor
>> Department of History
>> Rutgers University-Newark
>> Audrey Truschke
>> Assistant Professor
>> Department of History
>> Rutgers University-Newark
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 1:18 PM Jon Skarpeid via INDOLOGY <
>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>
>>> “Given equal qualifications”, I do not find it a discriminatory that
>>> institutions prefer gender, minority, or whatever. All branches of public
>>> life should (somehow) reflect the population. “Equal qualifications” is a
>>> soft tool.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> But I agree with Jonathan, we should leave German or Austrian higher
>>> education. However, if sexism is a reality at Indology, we can’t simply
>>> dismiss the debate by referring to the “Sanskrit conference, and matters of
>>> that ilk”.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Jon
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Fra:* Jonathan Silk <kauzeya at gmail.com>
>>> *Sendt:* tirsdag 2. april 2019 13:03
>>> *Til:* Aleix Ruiz Falqués <arfalques at cantab.net>
>>> *Kopi:* Jon Skarpeid <jon.skarpeid at uis.no>; Indology List (
>>> indology at list.indology.info) <indology at list.indology.info>
>>> *Emne:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Dear All
>>>
>>> First, I want to clarify that I think these discussions are
>>> important--in the context of Indology.
>>>
>>> However, this list is not, in my opinion, the place to debate (etc)
>>> institutional forms of discrimination, fundamentally important as they no
>>> doubt are. There are so many things which so many of us are passionate
>>> about, but this list is about Indian Studies, and while that surely
>>> includes the conduct of the management of the list itself, the recently
>>> discussed Sanskrit conference, and matters of that ilk, it does not
>>> include, I would maintain, German or Austrian higher education as a whole,
>>> for example. So my plea to all of us is to focus on the topics relevant to
>>> this list here, and find other fora for other conversations.
>>>
>>> Thank you for listening,
>>>
>>> Joanthan
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 12:30 PM Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY <
>>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>>
>>> Dear Jon and Agnes,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The clause you cite automatically appears in any job advertisement in
>>> Austria and Germany in the public sector. It is a legal requirement and has
>>> nothing to do with the university or department in question. Such clauses
>>> were installed at some point because of (among other things) the
>>> appallingly low number of female professors (some 14% or so at the time the
>>> legislation was introduced).
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thank you for the comment. I apologise, I didn't know that universities
>>> to not follow the rules. I thought that this clause was actually taken into
>>> account. The statement is discriminatory against men, nonetheless, and as
>>> an applicant, I wondered if it was really worth trying. Again, that could
>>> be the whole purpose of the clause. I don´t know. I just felt it was unfair
>>> to men, not to men as a social class, but to particular individuals who may
>>> have nothing to do with structural sexism. If you think that´s not the
>>> case, then we disagree and that is fine.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference will
>>> be given to female applicants”*?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The problem is not in this line, but in the previous one, where it says *non-discriminatory
>>> employment policy*. Will you agree that when preference is given on the
>>> basis of gender, this is a discriminatory statement? Perhaps I got it wrong.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Jon, when I say that a thousand things can be changed I mean they should
>>> be, and I think the debate is positive, including the debate on
>>> discriminatory clauses. I did not mean anything against Audrey, whom I
>>> personally know I respect very much, as a friend and as a scholar.
>>> Apologies if anyone felt offended. I am looking forward to what Audrey has
>>> to say.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Best wishes,
>>>
>>> Aleix
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 15:58, Jon Skarpeid via INDOLOGY <
>>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>>
>>> «A thousand things that can be improved» is the argument of
>>> relativization. Any wishes for change can be met with relativization, but
>>> it’s a poor argument.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> And dear Aleix, what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference
>>> will be given to female applicants”*? Perhaps one day we will need to
>>> change “female” with “male”. Who knows?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>> Jon
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Fra:* INDOLOGY <indology-bounces at list.indology.info> *På vegne av*
>>> Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY
>>> *Sendt:* tirsdag 2. april 2019 11:11
>>> *Til:* Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
>>> *Kopi:* Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
>>> *Emne:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Dear Audrey,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I am sure that there are a thousand things that can be improved. I think
>>> I know how you feel. Please see the following clause in one of the jobs I
>>> applied for, in Vienna, realted to Indology:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The University pursues *a non-discriminatory employment policy* and
>>> values equal opportunities, as well as diversity (
>>> http://diversity.univie.ac.at/). The University lays special emphasis
>>> on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions.
>>> Given *equal qualifications*, *preference will be given to female
>>> applicants. *
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> So much for non-discrimination.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Best wishes,
>>>
>>> Aleix
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 14:25, Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
>>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>>
>>> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>>>
>>> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism
>>> I have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
>>> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
>>> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
>>> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
>>> explicit instructions here.
>>>
>>>
>>> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
>>> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
>>> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
>>> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
>>> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
>>> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
>>> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
>>> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
>>> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
>>> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
>>> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
>>> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
>>> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
>>> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
>>> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
>>> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
>>> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
>>> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
>>> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
>>> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
>>> list a more equitable place.
>>>
>>> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
>>> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
>>> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
>>> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
>>> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
>>> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
>>> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
>>> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
>>> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
>>> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
>>> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
>>> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
>>> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
>>> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
>>> turn, including in running this listserv.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> All the best,
>>>
>>> Audrey
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Audrey Truschke
>>>
>>> Assistant Professor
>>>
>>> Department of History
>>> Rutgers University-Newark
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>>> committee)
>>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options
>>> or unsubscribe)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>>>
>>> Pali Lecturer
>>>
>>> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>>>
>>> Shan State Buddhist University
>>> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
>>> (+95) 09428757648
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>>> committee)
>>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options
>>> or unsubscribe)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>>>
>>> Pali Lecturer
>>>
>>> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>>>
>>> Shan State Buddhist University
>>> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
>>> (+95) 09428757648
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>>> committee)
>>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options
>>> or unsubscribe)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> J. Silk
>>> Leiden University
>>>
>>> Leiden University Institute for Area Studies, LIAS
>>>
>>> Matthias de Vrieshof 3, Room 0.05b
>>>
>>> 2311 BZ Leiden
>>>
>>> The Netherlands
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> copies of my publications may be found at
>>>
>>> https://leidenuniv.academia.edu/JASilk
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>>> committee)
>>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options
>>> or unsubscribe)
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Bradley Clough <bclough9377 at gmail.com>
> To: "Walser, Joseph" <Joseph.Walser at tufts.edu>
> Cc: "Aleix Ruiz Falqués" <arfalques at cantab.net>, "Indology List (
> indology at list.indology.info)" <indology at list.indology.info>, Jonathan
> Silk <kauzeya at gmail.com>
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 06:51:25 -0600
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> For the exact reason that Joe Walser states, I agree that it is very
> important indeed that we honor Audrey Truschke’s suggestion that the
> listserv discuss matters of discrimination in our field.
>
> Brad Clough
> The University of Montana
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 6:37 AM Walser, Joseph via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
>> While Jonathan is correct that this is a list about Indian Studies, I do
>> think that it is very much in the interest of the list to address issues of
>> bias and intimidation that Audrey mentioned. Any field of scholarship is an
>> all hands on deck affair. If we want to reach our full potential, then we
>> cannot afford to have some of us intimidated into not sharing work,
>> opinions, etc. because of things like gender bias.
>> -j
>>
>> Joseph Walser
>>
>> Associate Professor
>>
>> Department of Religion
>>
>> Tufts University
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* INDOLOGY [indology-bounces at list.indology.info] on behalf of
>> Jonathan Silk via INDOLOGY [indology at list.indology.info]
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 02, 2019 7:03 AM
>> *To:* Aleix Ruiz Falqués
>> *Cc:* Indology List (indology at list.indology.info)
>> *Subject:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>>
>> Dear All
>> First, I want to clarify that I think these discussions are important--in
>> the context of Indology.
>> However, this list is not, in my opinion, the place to debate (etc)
>> institutional forms of discrimination, fundamentally important as they no
>> doubt are. There are so many things which so many of us are passionate
>> about, but this list is about Indian Studies, and while that surely
>> includes the conduct of the management of the list itself, the recently
>> discussed Sanskrit conference, and matters of that ilk, it does not
>> include, I would maintain, German or Austrian higher education as a whole,
>> for example. So my plea to all of us is to focus on the topics relevant to
>> this list here, and find other fora for other conversations.
>> Thank you for listening,
>> Joanthan
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 12:30 PM Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY <
>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>
>>> Dear Jon and Agnes,
>>>
>>> The clause you cite automatically appears in any job advertisement in
>>>> Austria and Germany in the public sector. It is a legal requirement and has
>>>> nothing to do with the university or department in question. Such clauses
>>>> were installed at some point because of (among other things) the
>>>> appallingly low number of female professors (some 14% or so at the time the
>>>> legislation was introduced).
>>>
>>>
>>> Thank you for the comment. I apologise, I didn't know that universities
>>> to not follow the rules. I thought that this clause was actually taken into
>>> account. The statement is discriminatory against men, nonetheless, and as
>>> an applicant, I wondered if it was really worth trying. Again, that could
>>> be the whole purpose of the clause. I don´t know. I just felt it was unfair
>>> to men, not to men as a social class, but to particular individuals who may
>>> have nothing to do with structural sexism. If you think that´s not the
>>> case, then we disagree and that is fine.
>>>
>>> what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference will
>>>> be given to female applicants”*?
>>>
>>>
>>> The problem is not in this line, but in the previous one, where it says *non-discriminatory
>>> employment policy*. Will you agree that when preference is given on the
>>> basis of gender, this is a discriminatory statement? Perhaps I got it wrong.
>>>
>>> Jon, when I say that a thousand things can be changed I mean they should
>>> be, and I think the debate is positive, including the debate on
>>> discriminatory clauses. I did not mean anything against Audrey, whom I
>>> personally know I respect very much, as a friend and as a scholar.
>>> Apologies if anyone felt offended. I am looking forward to what Audrey has
>>> to say.
>>>
>>> Best wishes,
>>> Aleix
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 15:58, Jon Skarpeid via INDOLOGY <
>>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>>
>>>> «A thousand things that can be improved» is the argument of
>>>> relativization. Any wishes for change can be met with relativization, but
>>>> it’s a poor argument.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> And dear Aleix, what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference
>>>> will be given to female applicants”*? Perhaps one day we will need to
>>>> change “female” with “male”. Who knows?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Best,
>>>>
>>>> Jon
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *Fra:* INDOLOGY <indology-bounces at list.indology.info> *På vegne av*
>>>> Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY
>>>> *Sendt:* tirsdag 2. april 2019 11:11
>>>> *Til:* Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
>>>> *Kopi:* Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
>>>> *Emne:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Dear Audrey,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I am sure that there are a thousand things that can be improved. I
>>>> think I know how you feel. Please see the following clause in one of the
>>>> jobs I applied for, in Vienna, realted to Indology:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The University pursues *a non-discriminatory employment policy* and
>>>> values equal opportunities, as well as diversity (
>>>> http://diversity.univie.ac.at/). The University lays special emphasis
>>>> on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions.
>>>> Given *equal qualifications*, *preference will be given to female
>>>> applicants. *
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> So much for non-discrimination.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Best wishes,
>>>>
>>>> Aleix
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 14:25, Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
>>>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>>>>
>>>> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism
>>>> I have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
>>>> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
>>>> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
>>>> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
>>>> explicit instructions here.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
>>>> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
>>>> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
>>>> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
>>>> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
>>>> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
>>>> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
>>>> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
>>>> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
>>>> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
>>>> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
>>>> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
>>>> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
>>>> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
>>>> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
>>>> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
>>>> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
>>>> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
>>>> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
>>>> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
>>>> list a more equitable place.
>>>>
>>>> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
>>>> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
>>>> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
>>>> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
>>>> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
>>>> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
>>>> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
>>>> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
>>>> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
>>>> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
>>>> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
>>>> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
>>>> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
>>>> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
>>>> turn, including in running this listserv.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> All the best,
>>>>
>>>> Audrey
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Audrey Truschke
>>>>
>>>> Assistant Professor
>>>>
>>>> Department of History
>>>> Rutgers University-Newark
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>>>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>>>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>>>> committee)
>>>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options
>>>> or unsubscribe)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>>>>
>>>> Pali Lecturer
>>>>
>>>> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>>>>
>>>> Shan State Buddhist University
>>>> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
>>>> (+95) 09428757648
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>>>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>>>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>>>> committee)
>>>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options
>>>> or unsubscribe)
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>>> Pali Lecturer
>>> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>>> Shan State Buddhist University
>>> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
>>> (+95) 09428757648
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>>> committee)
>>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options
>>> or unsubscribe)
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> J. Silk
>> Leiden University
>> Leiden University Institute for Area Studies, LIAS
>> Matthias de Vrieshof 3
>> <https://maps.google.com/?q=Matthias+de+Vrieshof+3&entry=gmail&source=g>,
>> Room 0.05b
>> 2311 BZ Leiden
>> The Netherlands
>>
>> copies of my publications may be found at
>> https://leidenuniv.academia.edu/JASilk
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Harry Spier <hspier.muktabodha at gmail.com>
> To: Indology <indology at list.indology.info>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 09:22:06 -0400
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Date of Kāmikāgama-uttarabhāga
> Thank you to Patricia Sauthoff and Lubomir Ondracka who replied off-line
> and pointed me to Dominic Goodall's paper ("Rudragaṇikās: Courtesans in
> Śiva’s Temple?", probably 12th century.
> Harry Spier
>
> On Mon, Apr 1, 2019 at 6:10 PM Harry Spier <hspier.muktabodha at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Dear list members,
>>
>> Can anyone give me any information on the date of the Kāmikāgama-
>> uttarabhāga.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Harry Spier
>>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Nemec, John William (jwn3y)" <jwn3y at virginia.edu>
> To: "indology at list.indology.info" <indology at list.indology.info>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 13:35:07 +0000
> Subject: [INDOLOGY] Audrey Truscke's Email Message
>
> Dear Colleagues,
>
>
>
> Audrey Truschke is hardly alone in her feeling that Indology can be
> unwelcoming to women. I have heard this from quite a number of other
> colleagues and graduate students on various occasions in private
> conversation.
>
>
>
> Indology is a small field, and if a significant proportion of the
> population feels unwelcome (sometimes or always) in our midst, then it is
> Indology itself that is harmed. We all know it is often a fight to keep
> Indological posts open and to place scholars who work in our subject.
>
>
>
> Another possible concrete step to address these issues, aside from those
> recommended by Audrey Truschke, might be to collect real data from our
> membership---numbers of women in Ph.D. programs, etc. If an effort of this
> kind is undertaken, I would be happy to help (i.e., do some of the work).
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> John
>
>
> ______________________________
> John Nemec, Ph.D.
> Associate Professor, Indian Religions and South Asian Studies
> Editor, Religion in Translation Series (Oxford University Press)
> 323 Gibson Hall / 1540 Jefferson Park Avenue
> Department of Religious Studies
> University of Virginia
> Charlottesville, VA 22904
> 434-924-6716
> nemec at virginia.edu
> https://virginia.academia.edu/JNemec
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Tieken, H.J.H." <H.J.H.Tieken at hum.leidenuniv.nl>
> To: Philipp Maas <philipp.a.maas at gmail.com>, Indology List <
> indology at list.indology.info>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 13:38:24 +0000
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Unfounded accusations of Sexism and Bias on
> INDOLOGY governing committee
> Dear List members.
> Below you may find a mail which I sent on the first of October 2016 to one
> of the moderators of the list personally (Dominik Wujastik):
>
> Dear Dominik, I was rather amazed to find a message on sexual harassment
> on the list involving Bxxx Wxxx. It is a personal tragedy for the students
> involved as well for Bxxx Wxxx. But is this information that should have
> been passed on through the list? I am of the opinion that it is not and am
> even more amazed to see that the mail was sent by one of the moderators
> herself. With kind regards, Herman
>
>
> A week later hell broke loose.
>
> Herman
>
> Herman Tieken
> Stationsweg 58
> 2515 BP Den Haag
> The Netherlands
> 00 31 (0)70 2208127
> website: hermantieken.com
> ------------------------------
> *Van:* INDOLOGY [indology-bounces at list.indology.info] namens Philipp Maas
> via INDOLOGY [indology at list.indology.info]
> *Verzonden:* dinsdag 2 april 2019 11:13
> *Aan:* Indology List
> *Onderwerp:* [INDOLOGY] Unfounded accusations of Sexism and Bias on
> INDOLOGY governing committee
>
> Dear Audrey,
>
> In your latest message to the Indology mailing list you stile yourself as
> a victim of sexism experienced in recent times during your work on the
> Indology committee. Moreover, you pretend to courageously blow the whistle
> against the explicit advice of your colleagues who want to keep you silent
> probably in order to save their reputation.
>
>
>
> In this situation, it may be of interest to the larger community of
> colleagues that as a fellow committee member I did not witness a single
> instance in which, contrary to your claim, you “met with blanket denials,
> belittling of … [your] concerns, declarations that discussing sexism is not
> a substantive issue, accusations of being a troublemaker, and flat out
> refusals to discuss gender issues.“ On the contrary, all committee members,
> irrespective of their ethnicity and sex, always take your concerns
> seriously and devote as much time to their discussion as possible under the
> time constrains we all have to face in our daily work. Of course, we there
> is disagreed. But disagreement is not necessarily an indication of sexism.
> It may also occur on the (lack of) merit of arguments.
>
>
>
> Your move to go public with unfounded accusations in order to strengthen
> you position in the committee is something for which I have very little
> understanding. It is utterly unfair to your colleagues who spend a lot of
> time and energy to keep this list running to the best of their abilities. I
> can’t believe that you are not aware of this.
>
>
>
> Best,
>
>
>
> Philipp
> __________________________
>
> Dr. Philipp A. Maas
> Research Associate
> Institut für Indologie und Zentralasienwissenschaften
> Universität Leipzig
> ___________________________
>
> https://spp1448.academia.edu/PhilippMaas
>
>
> Am Di., 2. Apr. 2019 um 10:21 Uhr schrieb Jonathan Silk via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info>:
>
>> Dear Dr Truschke
>> I am sure that there are many members of this list who are concerned. But
>> I confess that with the (lack of) information you provide, it is impossible
>> for me either to understand what is actually going on, or what you suggest
>> be done to correct the situation.
>> I do not mean this in any way to be dismissive; it is a request for
>> further information, and a proposed way forward.
>> J Silk
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 9:56 AM Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
>> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>>
>>> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>>>
>>> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism
>>> I have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
>>> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
>>> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
>>> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
>>> explicit instructions here.
>>>
>>> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
>>> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
>>> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
>>> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
>>> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
>>> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
>>> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
>>> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
>>> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
>>> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
>>> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
>>> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
>>> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
>>> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
>>> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
>>> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
>>> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
>>> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
>>> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
>>> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
>>> list a more equitable place.
>>>
>>> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
>>> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
>>> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
>>> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
>>> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
>>> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
>>> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>>>
>>> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
>>> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
>>> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
>>> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
>>> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
>>> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
>>> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
>>> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
>>> turn, including in running this listserv.
>>>
>>> All the best,
>>>
>>> Audrey
>>>
>>> Audrey Truschke
>>> Assistant Professor
>>> Department of History
>>> Rutgers University-Newark
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>>> committee)
>>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options
>>> or unsubscribe)
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> J. Silk
>> Leiden University
>> Leiden University Institute for Area Studies, LIAS
>> Matthias de Vrieshof 3, Room 0.05b
>> 2311 BZ Leiden
>> The Netherlands
>>
>> copies of my publications may be found at
>> https://leidenuniv.academia.edu/JASilk
>> _______________________________________________
>> INDOLOGY mailing list
>> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
>> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
>> committee)
>> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
>> unsubscribe)
>>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Ram-Prasad, Chakravarthi" <c.ram-prasad at lancaster.ac.uk>
> To: Indology List <INDOLOGY at list.indology.info>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 13:50:38 +0000
> Subject: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
> Dear Audrey,
>
> I should start with noting that we do not know each other and have never
> met or been in communication. So I do not speak on a personal matter. But
> it is clear time and again that men not acknowledging claims about sexism
> and bias do contribute to the perpetuation of these issues. I think that,
> rationally, there would be no other reason than actual experience for you
> to have got to the point of making this post, as it surely will be a matter
> of discomfort to make your statement openly. Consequently, I would just
> like to acknowledge that there seems to me to be no situation in which it
> is somehow impossible that bias exists and/or should not be talked about.
>
>
> When it comes to the consequences beyond the acknowledgement that you have
> spoken up as you have for a reason, and an acceptance that we must talk
> about it, I do see the point that Prof Silk is making, in that it is
> impossible for anyone on the list who is unaware of the details of
> the situation to say anything meaningful. We will all be aware that any
> next step will open a can of worms, as details cannot but hurt people
> (including yourself, of course). I would support any discussion that asks
> how we may work in a civilized and supportive manner to proceed with this,
> and I hope that the tone of what might become an agonized discussion about
> various interconnected issues is balanced between the personal hurt that
> will lie at the heart of this matter and the concern for the future
> of Indology and INDOLOGY that should motivate us.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Ram
>
>
> Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad
> Fellow of the British Academy
> Distinguished Professor of Comparative Religion and Philosophy
> Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion
> Lancaster University LA1 4YL
> U.K.
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* INDOLOGY <indology-bounces at list.indology.info> on behalf of
> Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <indology at list.indology.info>
> *Sent:* 02 April 2019 08:55:13
> *To:* Indology List
> *Subject:* [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>
> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism I
> have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
> explicit instructions here.
>
> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
> list a more equitable place.
>
> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>
> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
> turn, including in running this listserv.
>
> All the best,
>
> Audrey
>
> Audrey Truschke
> Assistant Professor
> Department of History
> Rutgers University-Newark
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Ram-Prasad, Chakravarthi" <c.ram-prasad at lancaster.ac.uk>
> To: Indology List <INDOLOGY at list.indology.info>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 13:51:23 +0000
> Subject: [INDOLOGY] Fw: Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
>
>
>
> Lacking as we do a listserv to discuss the problems within a listserv,
> this place becomes perforce the forum. One of the things we are learning
> from all that has been happening with cases of bias as well as studies of
> institutional forms of discrimination, is that when an entity is the focus
> of the accusation, it cannot claim for itself the right to determine
> that it should not so be the focus. There is an important sense in which
> what we really want discussed are indological issues, of course. But such
> discussions can only happen on a forum that is open and enabling; so - even
> if with a degree of discomfort - we have to discuss meta-indological
> issues, as it were, here, for want of any other place to go. Let us please
> bear in mind the trade-offs that will happen with who is uncomfortable with
> what.
>
> All best,
>
> Ram
>
>
> Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad
> Fellow of the British Academy
> Distinguished Professor of Comparative Religion and Philosophy
> Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion
> Lancaster University LA1 4YL
> U.K.
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* INDOLOGY <indology-bounces at list.indology.info> on behalf of
> Bradley Clough via INDOLOGY <indology at list.indology.info>
> *Sent:* 02 April 2019 13:51:25
> *To:* Walser, Joseph
> *Cc:* Indology List (indology at list.indology.info)
> *Subject:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> For the exact reason that Joe Walser states, I agree that it is very
> important indeed that we honor Audrey Truschke’s suggestion that the
> listserv discuss matters of discrimination in our field.
>
> Brad Clough
> The University of Montana
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 6:37 AM Walser, Joseph via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
> While Jonathan is correct that this is a list about Indian Studies, I do
> think that it is very much in the interest of the list to address issues of
> bias and intimidation that Audrey mentioned. Any field of scholarship is an
> all hands on deck affair. If we want to reach our full potential, then we
> cannot afford to have some of us intimidated into not sharing work,
> opinions, etc. because of things like gender bias.
> -j
>
> Joseph Walser
>
> Associate Professor
>
> Department of Religion
>
> Tufts University
> ------------------------------
> *From:* INDOLOGY [indology-bounces at list.indology.info] on behalf of
> Jonathan Silk via INDOLOGY [indology at list.indology.info]
> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 02, 2019 7:03 AM
> *To:* Aleix Ruiz Falqués
> *Cc:* Indology List (indology at list.indology.info)
> *Subject:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
> Dear All
> First, I want to clarify that I think these discussions are important--in
> the context of Indology.
> However, this list is not, in my opinion, the place to debate (etc)
> institutional forms of discrimination, fundamentally important as they no
> doubt are. There are so many things which so many of us are passionate
> about, but this list is about Indian Studies, and while that surely
> includes the conduct of the management of the list itself, the recently
> discussed Sanskrit conference, and matters of that ilk, it does not
> include, I would maintain, German or Austrian higher education as a whole,
> for example. So my plea to all of us is to focus on the topics relevant to
> this list here, and find other fora for other conversations.
> Thank you for listening,
> Joanthan
>
> On Tue, Apr 2, 2019 at 12:30 PM Aleix Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
> Dear Jon and Agnes,
>
> The clause you cite automatically appears in any job advertisement in
> Austria and Germany in the public sector. It is a legal requirement and has
> nothing to do with the university or department in question. Such clauses
> were installed at some point because of (among other things) the
> appallingly low number of female professors (some 14% or so at the time the
> legislation was introduced).
>
>
> Thank you for the comment. I apologise, I didn't know that universities to
> not follow the rules. I thought that this clause was actually taken into
> account. The statement is discriminatory against men, nonetheless, and as
> an applicant, I wondered if it was really worth trying. Again, that could
> be the whole purpose of the clause. I don´t know. I just felt it was unfair
> to men, not to men as a social class, but to particular individuals who may
> have nothing to do with structural sexism. If you think that´s not the
> case, then we disagree and that is fine.
>
> what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference will
> be given to female applicants”*?
>
>
> The problem is not in this line, but in the previous one, where it says *non-discriminatory
> employment policy*. Will you agree that when preference is given on the
> basis of gender, this is a discriminatory statement? Perhaps I got it wrong.
>
> Jon, when I say that a thousand things can be changed I mean they should
> be, and I think the debate is positive, including the debate on
> discriminatory clauses. I did not mean anything against Audrey, whom I
> personally know I respect very much, as a friend and as a scholar.
> Apologies if anyone felt offended. I am looking forward to what Audrey has
> to say.
>
> Best wishes,
> Aleix
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 15:58, Jon Skarpeid via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
> «A thousand things that can be improved» is the argument of
> relativization. Any wishes for change can be met with relativization, but
> it’s a poor argument.
>
>
>
> And dear Aleix, what’s the problem with “Given *equal qualifications*, *preference
> will be given to female applicants”*? Perhaps one day we will need to
> change “female” with “male”. Who knows?
>
>
>
> Best,
>
> Jon
>
>
>
> *Fra:* INDOLOGY <indology-bounces at list.indology.info> *På vegne av* Aleix
> Ruiz Falqués via INDOLOGY
> *Sendt:* tirsdag 2. april 2019 11:11
> *Til:* Audrey Truschke <audrey.truschke at gmail.com>
> *Kopi:* Indology List <indology at list.indology.info>
> *Emne:* Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
>
>
> Dear Audrey,
>
>
>
> I am sure that there are a thousand things that can be improved. I think I
> know how you feel. Please see the following clause in one of the jobs I
> applied for, in Vienna, realted to Indology:
>
>
>
> The University pursues *a non-discriminatory employment policy* and
> values equal opportunities, as well as diversity (
> http://diversity.univie.ac.at/). The University lays special emphasis on
> increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions. Given *equal
> qualifications*, *preference will be given to female applicants. *
>
>
>
> So much for non-discrimination.
>
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Aleix
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, 2 Apr 2019 at 14:25, Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>
> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism I
> have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
> explicit instructions here.
>
>
> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
> list a more equitable place.
>
> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>
>
>
> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
> turn, including in running this listserv.
>
>
>
> All the best,
>
> Audrey
>
>
>
> Audrey Truschke
>
> Assistant Professor
>
> Department of History
> Rutgers University-Newark
>
> _______________________________________________
> INDOLOGY mailing list
> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
> committee)
> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
> unsubscribe)
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
>
> Pali Lecturer
>
> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
>
> Shan State Buddhist University
> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
> (+95) 09428757648
> _______________________________________________
> INDOLOGY mailing list
> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
> committee)
> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
> unsubscribe)
>
>
>
> --
> Aleix Ruiz-Falqués
> Pali Lecturer
> Head of the Department of Pali and Languages
> Shan State Buddhist University
> Phaya Phyu, Taunggyi, Myanmar 140101
> (+95) 09428757648
> _______________________________________________
> INDOLOGY mailing list
> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
> committee)
> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
> unsubscribe)
>
>
>
> --
> J. Silk
> Leiden University
> Leiden University Institute for Area Studies, LIAS
> Matthias de Vrieshof 3
> <https://maps.google.com/?q=Matthias+de+Vrieshof+3&entry=gmail&source=g>,
> Room 0.05b
> 2311 BZ Leiden
> The Netherlands
>
> copies of my publications may be found at
> https://leidenuniv.academia.edu/JASilk
> _______________________________________________
> INDOLOGY mailing list
> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
> committee)
> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
> unsubscribe)
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Jason Birch <jb92 at soas.ac.uk>
> To: "Ram-Prasad, Chakravarthi" <c.ram-prasad at lancaster.ac.uk>
> Cc: Indology List <INDOLOGY at list.indology.info>
> Bcc:
> Date: Tue, 2 Apr 2019 15:19:56 +0100
> Subject: Re: [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
> Dear Indology Committee,
>
> It seems that the Indology committee needs a grievance policy whereby a
> committee member might make a complaint to a mediator, who is not a
> committee member, is given access to the relevant evidence, has training in
> mediation and can bring the committee members together to find a
> resolution. Is such a grievance policy in place?
>
> The general issue of gender parity on the committee might be discussed
> profitably by list members, but I can’t see how list members can mediate
> (via a group discussion on the forum) particular accusations of sexism by
> committee members.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Jason
>
> On 2 Apr 2019, at 14:50, Ram-Prasad, Chakravarthi via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
> Dear Audrey,
> I should start with noting that we do not know each other and have never
> met or been in communication. So I do not speak on a personal matter. But
> it is clear time and again that men not acknowledging claims about sexism
> and bias do contribute to the perpetuation of these issues. I think that,
> rationally, there would be no other reason than actual experience for you
> to have got to the point of making this post, as it surely will be a matter
> of discomfort to make your statement openly. Consequently, I would just
> like to acknowledge that there seems to me to be no situation in which it
> is somehow impossible that bias exists and/or should not be talked about.
>
> When it comes to the consequences beyond the acknowledgement that you have
> spoken up as you have for a reason, and an acceptance that we must talk
> about it, I do see the point that Prof Silk is making, in that it is
> impossible for anyone on the list who is unaware of the details of
> the situation to say anything meaningful. We will all be aware that any
> next step will open a can of worms, as details cannot but hurt people
> (including yourself, of course). I would support any discussion that asks
> how we may work in a civilized and supportive manner to proceed with this,
> and I hope that the tone of what might become an agonized discussion about
> various interconnected issues is balanced between the personal hurt that
> will lie at the heart of this matter and the concern for the future
> of Indology and INDOLOGY that should motivate us.
> Best wishes,
> Ram
>
> Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad
> Fellow of the British Academy
> Distinguished Professor of Comparative Religion and Philosophy
> Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion
> Lancaster University LA1 4YL
> U.K.
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* INDOLOGY <indology-bounces at list.indology.info> on behalf of
> Audrey Truschke via INDOLOGY <indology at list.indology.info>
> *Sent:* 02 April 2019 08:55:13
> *To:* Indology List
> *Subject:* [INDOLOGY] Sexism and Bias on INDOLOGY governing committee
>
> Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>
> I am writing to call your attention to the entrenched, worsening sexism I
> have been experiencing on the INDOLOGY governing committee over the past
> year or so (I have served on the committee for six years). Other committee
> members have warned me not to publicly discuss the bullying and abuse that
> I have faced from them in private. I break my silence and go against their
> explicit instructions here.
>
> I have repeatedly faced sexism within the INDOLOGY governing committee,
> ranging from patronizing comments to silencing of discussions about bias to
> overtly different standards applied to male and female members of the
> committee and list. I have tried many times to raise these issues
> internally among the committee and privately with specific individuals. I
> have been met with blanket denials, belittling of my concerns, declarations
> that discussing sexism is not a substantive issue, accusations of being a
> troublemaker, and flat out refusals to discuss gender issues. Indology as a
> discipline has deep-seated issues with male privilege, discrimination
> against female scholars, and even outright misogyny. The issues within
> INDOLOGY's male-dominated governing committee are arguably a reflection of
> this larger set of problems that systematically drives women out of the
> discipline. If Indology or INDOLOGY are going to survive in any worthwhile
> form, we must face our ongoing issues of sexism and bias. I have made
> numerous suggestions to the INDOLOGY governing committee in this regard,
> including striving for gender parity on the committee by adding more female
> members, conducting committee business more openly as a check on bullying,
> and undergoing bias training. I hope the committee follows up on these
> suggestions. But, to date, I have seen only a desire to circle the wagons
> and deny bias, rather than any serious attempt to make the committee or the
> list a more equitable place.
>
> Last week, following another case where I documented and called out a
> committee member for acting with bias, that committee member wrote that if
> he were in my position, he would consider resigning from the committee. In
> other words, if I find members of the INDOLOGY committee discriminate
> against women, then I should bow out. I find that suggestion highly
> inappropriate, and I do not acquiesce to it here. But I will no longer
> serve as a punching bag for men who insist I keep quiet.
>
> I expect to face significant pushback and recriminations for shedding
> light on the dark underbelly of the INDOLOGY governing committee. But,
> unlike many of my fellow committee members, I think that this is an issue
> for the list at large. Many of us, myself included, find scholarly value in
> this listserv. But knowledge exists within power structures, and I find
> that I can no longer stomach what I have to overlook in order to quietly
> run this forum. I think it is time for us to talk about the key issues of
> bias and sexism facing our discipline that make women unwelcome at every
> turn, including in running this listserv.
>
> All the best,
>
> Audrey
>
> Audrey Truschke
> Assistant Professor
> Department of History
> Rutgers University-Newark
> _______________________________________________
> INDOLOGY mailing list
> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
> indology-owner at list.indology.info (messages to the list's managing
> committee)
> http://listinfo.indology.info (where you can change your list options or
> unsubscribe)
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> INDOLOGY mailing list
> INDOLOGY at list.indology.info
> http://list.indology.info/mailman/listinfo/indology_list.indology.info
>
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