The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall
Language, Memory, and Indigenous California
By Andrew Garrett | Publisher: MIT Press
About the book
A critical examination of the complex legacies of early Californian anthropology and linguistics for twenty-first-century communities.
In January 2021, at a time when many institutions were reevaluating fraught histories, the University of California removed anthropologist and linguist Alfred Kroeber’s name from a building on its Berkeley campus. Critics accused Kroeber of racist and dehumanizing practices that harmed Indigenous people; university leaders repudiated his values. In The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall, Andrew Garrett examines Kroeber’s work in the early twentieth century and his legacy today, asking how a vigorous opponent of racism and advocate for Indigenous rights in his own era became a symbol of his university’s failed relationships with Native communities. Garrett argues that Kroeber’s most important work has been overlooked: his collaborations with Indigenous people throughout California to record their languages and stories.
The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall offers new perspectives on the early practice of anthropology and linguistics and on its significance today and in the future. Kroeber’s documentation was broader and more collaborative and multifaceted than is usually recognized. As a result, the records Indigenous people created while working with him are relevant throughout California as communities revive languages, names, songs, and stories. Garrett asks readers to consider these legacies, arguing that the University of California chose to reject critical self-examination when it unnamed Kroeber Hall.
Editions of The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780262547093
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262377263
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262377270
Read an Excerpt
A critical examination of the complex legacies of early Californian anthropology and linguistics for twenty-first-century communities.
In January 2021, at a time when many institutions were reevaluating fraught histories, the University of California removed anthropologist and linguist Alfred Kroeber’s name from a building on its Berkeley campus. Critics accused Kroeber of racist and dehumanizing practices that harmed Indigenous people; university leaders repudiated his values. In The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall, Andrew Garrett examines Kroeber’s work in the early twentieth century and his legacy today, asking how a vigorous opponent of racism and advocate for Indigenous rights in his own era became a symbol of his university’s failed relationships with Native communities. Garrett argues that Kroeber’s most important work has been overlooked: his collaborations with Indigenous people throughout California to record their languages and stories.
The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall offers new perspectives on the early practice of anthropology and linguistics and on its significance today and in the future. Kroeber’s documentation was broader and more collaborative and multifaceted than is usually recognized. As a result, the records Indigenous people created while working with him are relevant throughout California as communities revive languages, names, songs, and stories. Garrett asks readers to consider these legacies, arguing that the University of California chose to reject critical self-examination when it unnamed Kroeber Hall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall about?
A critical examination of the complex legacies of early Californian anthropology and linguistics for twenty-first-century communities.
In January 2021, at a time when many institutions were reevaluating fraught histories, the University of California removed anthropologist and linguist Alfred Kroeber’s name from a building on its Berkeley campus. Critics accused Kroeber of racist and dehumanizing practices that harmed Indigenous people; university leaders repudiated his values. In The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall, Andrew Garrett examines Kroeber’s work in the early twentieth century and his legacy today, asking how a vigorous opponent of racism and advocate for Indigenous rights in his own era became a symbol of his university’s failed relationships with Native communities. Garrett argues that Kroeber’s most important work has been overlooked: his collaborations with Indigenous people throughout California to record their languages and stories.
The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall offers new perspectives on the early practice of anthropology and linguistics and on its significance today and in the future. Kroeber’s documentation was broader and more collaborative and multifaceted than is usually recognized. As a result, the records Indigenous people created while working with him are relevant throughout California as communities revive languages, names, songs, and stories. Garrett asks readers to consider these legacies, arguing that the University of California chose to reject critical self-examination when it unnamed Kroeber Hall.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall?
Language and Linguistics > Linguistics > Historical and comparative linguistics
Where can I read a sample of The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780262547093
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall?
Andrew Garrett
Who is the Publisher of the book The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall?
MIT Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall is available as paperback(ISBN 9780262547093) and ebook(ISBN 9780262377263) and ebook(ISBN 9780262377270)
Where can I buy The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy The Unnaming of Kroeber Hall?