Harvard University course on black women in politics excludes conservatives: What you should know
A Harvard University course focused on black women in politics has sparked discussion for its notable exclusion of prominent conservative figures. The syllabus for History 167: Race, Gender, and the Law Through the Archive highlights black women who have shaped 20th-century politics, grassroots organising, and the legal profession, yet omits key conservative personalities.Students studying this course will explore influential figures such as First Lady Michelle Obama, Stacey Abrams, and Vice President Kamala Harris, with topics including reproductive rights, Black Feminism, and intersectionality. However, critics argue the course offers an incomplete picture by neglecting black conservative women who also made historic contributions.Syllabus highlights liberal figures, omits conservativesThe syllabus praises black women aligned with Democratic politics, noting their roles in shaping grassroots organising and political landscapes. The course includes works from critical race theorist Kimberle Crenshaw, Rutgers Professor Brittney Cooper, and former Black Panther Angela Davis. It also aims to define intersectionality and explain how Jim Crow laws affected black women’s lives.Yet, the course does not mention conservative black women like Zora Neale Hurston, Roberta Church, and Dr Mildred Jefferson. Hurston was a celebrated writer and Republican, Church served in Eisenhower’s and Nixon’s administrations, and Dr Jefferson was the first black woman to graduate from Harvard Medical School, known for her anti-abortion advocacy.Conservative voices missing, say criticsBrenda Thiam, an ambassador for Project 21, voiced concerns to The College Fix that the course’s focus on black women Democrats ignores a significant part of political history. Thiam, a former Republican legislator in Maryland, said the syllabus “only leans towards far left agenda ideologies,” adding that “Black Democrat women are not the only Black women who have paved the way in the political arena.”She stressed that conservatives such as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Utah Congresswoman Mia Love should also be included. “These women were pioneers in the field of politics and paved the way for other women,” Thiam said, as quoted by The College Fix.Course content and instructor responsesThe course instructor, Professor Myisha Eatmon, did not respond to multiple inquiries by The College Fix regarding the syllabus content. Previously, Eatmon has described “racism as a virus and white privilege as a drug,” according to the Washington Free Beacon. Following the article’s publication, The College Fix learned that Eatmon was on medical leave via an automated email response.What the syllabus covers and omitsStudents in History 167 will study the roles black women played in politics during Jim Crow and beyond, focusing on liberal figures and issues such as reproductive rights and non-binary identities. However, the absence of conservative voices means the course may lack a comprehensive view of black women’s political impact.Thiam acknowledged the course’s value in educating students about black women’s political work but argued Harvard “must modify the course content to include conservative/Republican women’s views” to present a fuller political history, as reported by The College Fix.
The exclusion of conservative black women in a course designed to explore black women’s roles in politics has prompted calls for a more balanced approach to teaching political history. As it stands, History 167 offers a detailed study of black women aligned with left-wing politics, leaving a gap in the representation of the full spectrum of political ideologies within this community.
