Dear Reader,
I want to tell you and everyone you’ve interacted with since we published CRM Archaeology Podcast Episode 249 that I am sorry for that episode. I am sorry it did the exact opposite of what we hoped to accomplish. The episode was intended to address the myriad ways archaeological field school organizations fail students when it comes to harassment, racism, and other forms of discrimination. But that’s not what happened. Instead, we created an audio file that offended and harmed several listeners. I re-listened to it again myself and can clearly see several places where we all went wrong. The words we spoke on that episode caused extensive harm. For that, I am sorry.
My co-hosts and I clearly were not equipped to handle the topic of harassment in field schools, which is an ethical violation of archaeological principles on several levels. I’ve taken several anti-harassment training courses and am aware of the reporting, bystander support, and harassment prevention protocols at my university and the CRM companies I worked for. Still, this did not prepare me to produce a constructive, supportive episode. I did not want to create barriers for people to report harassment. Nevertheless, this is what happened. All I can do is try to repair the damage that episode has caused.
I am proud of the fact that we have recorded 249 episodes since 2013. The CRM Archaeology Podcast was the first show on the Archaeology Podcast Network. Its success has led to several other shows. Today, the APN has 13 shows that produce high quality, informative content each week. Episode 249 is the first one we have taken down. I have reached out to my colleagues on the show and that episode to schedule a time when we can record a formal apology. It will be released soon. This is my own formal apology.
It is difficult in written text to convey sincerity. Again, I’m truly sorry for what we recorded and put online. I also want to be an ally and accomplice for all archaeologists. All I ever wanted to do is help archaeologists– all of us. That’s why I’ve been part of the CRM Archaeology Podcast for 10 years and have written here on the Succinct Research Blog for that long as well.
Tone and delivery are major elements to any online communication. I tried to respond on Twitter in a constructive manner but, after reading my responses, I can see how folks could read my requests for assistance as being defensive. I was actually looking for help and have sought out the resources folks pointed me towards. I’m trying to grow and remedy my shortcomings and mistakes, which is all I can do. I apologize for my comments on Twitter which were read as a challenge, defensiveness, posturing, or anything else negative.
That podcast episode came after I’ve spent the past few years as an assistant professor watching students return from archaeological field schools all over the world. Most have positive, transformative experiences. You can see the enjoyment in their eyes when they tell me about their summer. Others have horrible experiences. You can also see that in their eyes when they return.
I do not want to out any students, but these past few years have shown me that the reporting systems for field schools are very, very broken. I’ve had students with medical needs placed in hazardous conditions. Students of different genders and sexual orientations harassed for their sexuality and/or forced to work in hostile workplaces. Students have told me about BIPOC human remains disrespected and racist instructors who discriminate against BIPOC students because of the color of their skin. And I’ve tried to help. I’ve seen adjudicating organizations sweep complaints under the rug, ignore students, or cover up for their violating project managers. We followed the rules in formally filing complaints, asking for refunds, asking for clarification on poor grades issued in a spirit of retaliation to complaints about fieldwork conduct. And I’ve seen the organizations administering field schools fail in their duties to protect students. I’ve asked other archaeologists for help. I’ve also had fellow archaeologists downplay these traumas too. I’ve had them say it’s too much work to change the system, that I don’t really need to do this, that I’m jeopardizing my career. Some of my colleagues help. Most are indifferent.
I had to walk a line on that podcast episode not to point out specific field school organizations and the archaeologists that administer them, which includes prominent archaeologists and professors, but the result of my attempt to address it on the podcast was the creation of a damaging, unenlightened, harmful audio file. The podcast was an attempt to inform folks about how reporting systems and field school administrators don’t always remedy workplace harassment and, oftentimes, end up damaging students. All of this harms archaeology as a profession. My co-hosts and I wanted to be constructive but terribly missed the mark. I am sorry for that.
Again, all I’ve ever wanted to do is help CRM archaeologists and archaeology students. I will continue striving to help archaeologists. I am human and I make mistakes. There is nothing I can do to take back these actions. All I can do is apologize and learn from this failure.
For those who messaged me voicing your concerns, thank you. Thanks for letting me know what this has done to others. Thank you for telling me that this episode has changed the way my colleagues view me.
To those who were traumatized by that episode, all I can say is I am sorry. I have accepted your suggestions and recommendations. This apology is the first step in remedying a harmful episode in my career. The next steps involve changing the things I say and do to help make archaeology inclusive for everyone. I harmed you all but will do everything I can not to cause harm in the future. All I can do is strive to do better.
Sincerely,
Bill White