A LITERARY ANALYSIS-BASED APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING SYSTEMS OF RACISM IN SCIENCE FIELDS

Abstract

Racism within science is abundant, and yet this is a little acknowledged fact in society. Scientific racism thrives under the common misconception that science is objective or free from racial bias, resulting in little scrutiny and reform of scientific policies, techniques, and research. Although reasons for why scientific racism is perpetuated can range from simple ignorance to blatant attempts to spread white supremacist ideals, there is a need to increase awareness of the history of racism within science and how this history impacts scientific methods today. Part of this awareness involves bringing attention to how dramatically and negatively science racism affects racially minoritized groups in the United States. To do so, this thesis takes an interdisciplinary approach to demonstrate how literary analysis can serve as a helpful guide to identifying scientific racism. Thus, by conducting a literary analysis of Toni Morrison’s black characters in her novels, The Bluest Eye and Song of Solomon, with a scientific lens, the author aims to promote the use of applying interdisciplinary approaches to tackling racism in science and society.