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I’m disturbed by a recent article written by a senior scientist, Hakeem Oluseyi, about the actions of James Webb, for whom a new space telescope is named. I’m not linking: it’s already out there & too many people are lauding it before examining its content and message.
TLDR 1: Oluseyi portrays a painstaking, Dan Brown-esque journey of document discovery, with subsequent interpretations that incorrectly exonerate the homophobic actions & misogynist views of Webb, a powerful government figure, who chose not to stand up for LGBTQIA+ people.
TLDR 2: Oluseyi utterly and brazenly ignores a critical idea for everyone in leadership positions: they are responsible for standing up for people who are oppressed and marginalized. Passing the buck on that is committing oppression.
Oluseyi portrays UNDERSECRETARY Webb as a mere conduit who accepted and passed on a report (linked) that dehumanized gay people and clearly contributed to the Lavendar Scare. https://lgbtqarchives.tumblr.com/post/152657311157/cover-label-of-information-on-homosexuals-folder
However, it is obvious that Undersecretary Webb held real responsibility … as an Undersecretary. He conveyed the atrocious memo (with ideas for identifying and surveying gay people) during HIS meeting with Senator Hoey. https://twitter.com/adrianlucy/status/1353553104151732224?s=20
As an Undersecretary in a meeting with a high-ranking Senator, Webb was clearly in a position to do something, to do the right thing, and not share the horrible ideas in the memo.
Oluseyi has been lauded by folks for diligent research. Did he find the memo or the news accounts where Webb, stood up for LGBTQIA+ people in the face of this memo or the rest of the Lavendar Scare?
I see none.
I see none.
Did Oluseyi find this article, in which Webb says, “Women Can’t Fight”?
I don't think this is a case of mistaken identity. I think it's the same Webb we're talking about here. https://www.washingtonian.com/1979/11/01/jim-webb-women-cant-fight/
I don't think this is a case of mistaken identity. I think it's the same Webb we're talking about here. https://www.washingtonian.com/1979/11/01/jim-webb-women-cant-fight/
Oluseyi points out that Webb took some “actions regarding the hiring of African Americans at NASA,” as if this exonerates web from defending the humanity of LGBTQIA+ people.
He then wonders aloud “if Webb was just a good soldier” who was just following orders --- whether they be to “persecute gays” or to “integrate NASA facilities.”
Carelessly tossing this idea around is dangerous, opening the doorway to excusing bigoted actions in the balance.
Carelessly tossing this idea around is dangerous, opening the doorway to excusing bigoted actions in the balance.
The author clearly brushes under the rug power dynamics that actively harm LGBTQIA+ people. The interpretation of these dynamics to exonerate Webb sends a harmful message: it says that as long as someone helps some people, it’s okay that they ignore the humanity of other people.
It’s as if Oluseyi doesn’t understand that not sticking up for LGBTQIA+ people is not sticking up for Black people. I’m so tired of folks from one marginalized group acting so quickly to disregard the humanity of others.
How can it not be clear that it is the responsibility of everyone in a leadership position to defend the humanity of the people they work with?
The article portrays Webb, in a powerful position, as having no part in destroying the lives of LGBTQIA+ people: “Humelsine and Peurifoy are mentioned as actors in the Lavendar Scare, but Webb is not.” But, Webb did act -- by not acting. He chose to side with oppressors.
The author concludes that there is no evidence that Webb participated in hurting gay and queer people. Well, you know what, the conclusion of the article should have been that there’s no evidence that Webb stood up for the humanity of LGBTQIA+ people.
In his zeal to exonerate, were effective research practices followed?
Maybe this work should have been done in community with people who have experience in exploring these kinds of archives, or with people who understand and care about how power dynamics cause oppression for people other than themselves?
Furthermore, did anyone catch the subtweet of an astrophysicist in there?
How is it professional to not address this directly with this person?
Did you even read this?
How are we okay with this?
How is it professional to not address this directly with this person?
Did you even read this?
How are we okay with this?
In the days following the posting, Oluseyi goes on to update his story with research that was found by readers, but he didn’t cite them. Isn’t this clearly poor ethical academic practice?
Why are we so eager to hold onto their heroes, even upon witnessing their betrayal of our purported values? Why do we cling to this person who failed to defend the oppressed, and in so doing failed to lead?
