On the topic of decolonization and white supremacy in Classics: make sure the histories&cultures studied to “expand” the field don’t reinforce local power dynamics/movements parallel to white supremacy

Two things I think about as a South Asian are Hindu nationalism and Casteism (intimately linked but arguably separate things?)

Incorporating South Asian history into the curricula may very well play into the colonial construction of “Indian” borders&history also weaponized by the Hindu far-right. A great talk on this is Romulo Thapar’s “On the Colonial Scholarship Behind Hindu Rastra”

Oops *Romila Thapar darn autocorrect

Incorporating Sanskrit into ancient study should also require serious discussion on who was traditionally allowed to learn Sanskrit (Brahmin men) and the nature of caste and casteism in South Asian academia.

And incase you’re wondering what the big deal is about Hindu nationalists, here: https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2018/12/13/why-white-supremacists-and-hindu-nationalists-are-so-alike