Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 07:57:45 -0400
From: Thomas F Brown <tombrown@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu>
Subject: Re:  You're In Serious Denial
To: socgrad@csf.colorado.edu
Message-id: <97Jun24.075802edt.2265-7@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu>
Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT
<< But is there any evidence that marginalization 
of any particular demographic group in sociological 
work actually exists today? >>

>This is the last time I will post on this tired topic.  I just have to say
>that this question practically brings me to tears.  Thomas, walk up and down
>the halls of your department, if there happen to be any minority women,
>minority men, or white women employed there, and ask them if they or anybody
>they know has ever been marginalized in sociology.  Then go to the library
>and check out some of the vast literature on this topic.  

First, asking for evidence and a definition of tracking is hardly the same
thing as denying it. Second, if there is  a vast literature, couldn't you
at least give an example of where to start looking? Your references might
help me understand what you're talking about. Right now it's totally
nebulous because you haven't even defined what you mean by tracking.

I'm sorry that I will have to pass on the walking up and down the halls
bit. Individuals' subjective impressions of structural processes are
worth looking into, but I don't think they give a very complete picture
of those processes. I have no doubt that people feel marginalized by
institutional structures or practices, but I need to see some objective
evidence that they really are marginalized.

PS: I am a minority man. Can I walk up and down the halls and ask myself?