Chapter 2: Fear In The Academy

Scholars (Ogbu, Fordham) have written on the notion of “the other,” and with this concept often arises a theme of fear—fear of “the other” (Ogbu & Simons, 1998). Historically, the term has applied to underrepresented populations who have not been part of the dominant culture or group. This term often surfaces in courses particular to educational foundations and diversity, where challenging conversations about biases, injustice, and social inequalities take place. In this chapter, I examine a different interpretation of fear, which can be subtle yet remains very important and dangerously pervasive: fear in the academy.

Through a series of stories, I hope to illustrate examples of this fear, which transcends policy, practice, and behaviors at colleges and beyond, affecting personnel and students in both similar and different contexts. Examples of actual situations and scenarios will be discussed to create a story of fear and its implications for democracy and hegemony. Excerpts of events will be detailed and woven together to articulate the expansiveness of academically placed fear. Such events are based on issues including gender, sexuality, scholarship, and safety dynamics. I also demonstrate how certain aspects of corporatization generate fear in the academy. By writing a chapter such as this, I also hope to encourage other scholars, veteran and newer, to maintain and exercise their oppositional identity without fear, should the matter be relevant and affecting.