PHILOSOPHY BORN OF STRUGGLE, 2017
PBS is home to voices that hear and speak to new, historically excluded, immigrant, déclassé, discriminated against, gendered and gender bending philosophers. Professional associations that rarely allow such voices a space need not expect its members and administrators to be involved in controversies or be the targets of malicious and malevolent agents.
In contrast, PBS is, and has often been, the target of such agents. PBS, as an organization, however, is resilient. This year our Director, Tommy Curry, has valiantly defended his academic achievement, concept of culture, account of racism and his warrant to address rights of self-defense, the subjection of black men and discrimination within the profession. He has received an inordinate number of threats from various malicious and malevolent sources. Fortunately, a vast array of news articles and letters of support have supported Professor Curry, rejecting out-of-context interpretations of his views, and defending his stellar record.
Given that an anticipated university sponsor was unable to provide sufficient resources and the danger that hosting PBS at Texas A&M University might expose PBS participants to unwanted racial conflict, this year’s conference will be postponed until February of 2018. Co-operating with other scholarly organizations provides PBS access to new audiences and opportunities for participants to connect with new voices. This being the case, we plan to co-sponsor a larger conference in February of 2018.
Please keep informed by visiting PBOS.COM and please continue to use its research resources.
Leonard Harris, PBS, PBOS.COM
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/05/11/furor-over-texas-am-philosophers-comments-
http://www.chronicle.com/article/Who-s-Left-to-Defend-Tommy/240757