The American Anthropological Association’s historic vote on the boycott of Israeli academic institutions — which starts tomorrow, April 15 — is open to all members. The AAA offers discounted membership for undergraduates ($35), graduate students ($60), and international scholars from “less developed countries” ($30). However, we know that AAA membership dues are out of reach for many, especially students and those in precarious employment.
Whether or not you are a member, there are many things anthropologists can do to support Palestinian civil society’s call for boycott of Israeli academic institutions beyond voting.
- Educate yourself and others on the issues:
Help your fellow anthropologists and others learn about the issues by watching this Webinar and telling your friends and colleagues about it. Other informational resources are available here.
- Social Media:
Help us get the word out to colleagues and friends. Help publicize the campaign.
- Print out a copy of our Get Out The Vote poster and hang it on your department’s bulletin board, or anywhere else anthropologists are likely to see it. If you would like us to mail you a color copy of the poster, please send your name and address to anthroboycott@gmail.com.
- You can also change your Facebook cover photo and profile pictures to the images provided on our website, to help publicize the vote.
- Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
- Organize a Teach-In:
A packet with resources for organizing a teach-in in your department or university is available here. The packet includes names and contact information for potential guest speakers, lists of possible discussion topics and primers, tips for organizing, and advice on dealing with any push-back. If you are a junior scholar or graduate student, we strongly recommend teaming up with tenured professors in whose name these events can be held. This will minimize your own exposure to potential backlash.
- Follow Up and volunteer:
If the boycott passes, a lot of work will have to be done to ensure that the AAA lives up to the principles expressed in the resolution and that members understand the stakes of the boycott and how to implement it in an ethical way.
If the boycott does not pass, we will have to continue our mobilization work to ensure that the momentum gained at the 2015 AAA conference is not lost. No matter the outcome, we have already succeeded in putting the question of Palestine on the table as a pressing ethical and political concern for anthropologists. But we will need to widen the conversation through a grassroots campaign of education and debate. To get involved, email us at: anthroboycott@gmail.com.
ARCHIVED: Anthropologists for the Boycott of Israeli Academic Institutions, 2014 - 2016 Campaign 