FIGHT THE TOWER ORIGIN STORY

The Fight the Tower Movement was created by individuals that believe we, as women of color in academia, are at a crucial crossroad. With massive budgetary cuts at universities nationwide and trends towards corporatization, underrepresented groups find themselves increasingly vulnerable to dismissals. Whether in economic boom or bust, the historical inequalities, marred by legacies of racism and sexism, continue to shape and define the context of the university today. It appears contradictory that universities, supposedly spaces of intellectual discoveries and critical investigations, in truth harbor the same societal biases that breathe life into discrimination, exclusion, and violence.

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Sadly, the vast majority of us continue to endure the violent onslaught isolated and alone, unable and sometimes unwilling to seek assistance and fight. Parallel to this dismal reality, however, is the growing movement of scholars speaking up against the injustices in the academe. Led in part by the women behind the seminal anthology, Presumed Incompetent: The Intersections of Race and Class for Women in Academia, here women of color from diverse fields of study share their deeply personal stories and provide empirical data that exposes systemic wrongdoings. Reading their testimonials struck a nerve with us and in solidary with them, we carry on the fight. Beyond telling our stories, we hold the system accountable for the continued discriminatory practices targeting women of color.

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Ultimately, we support women ready to stand up for their rights and fight the tower to claim their earned place in academia. To that end, we developed the Fight the Tower website to serve as a "clearing house" of information. We anticipate this information will assist them in arming themselves for the many battles ahead. We stand strong with them and want them to understand they are not alone in their fight for justice. In solidarity, we Fight the Tower!