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Rebeka specializes in traditional, religious, and virtue epistemology. Currently, Rebeka's areas of interest lie in eastern philosophy, feminist epistemology, epistemic injustice, feminist philosophy of religion, and the intersections between feminist philosophy and philosophy of race.
I have been formally studying philosophy since attending Community College as an undergraduate between 2005-2007. Not only was I fortunate enough to stumble upon a number of philosophy courses as a result of personal interest; I would only later learn how extremely privileged I was to have had so many female instructors. The classroom environments they created were the most formative for me: where even the most critical ideas could be exchanged freely and without fear; making me not only want to study philosophy but create that space for others in the classroom.
After transferring to San Francisco State University to finish my undergraduate work, majoring in Philosophy; I discovered via networking at conferences that our department had a rather unique program for Master’s students where they were not only encouraged to TA, but complete workshops as they became Graduate Teaching Associates. The GTA position placed full-time graduate students, like myself, in positions of sole responsibility for their courses as any other instructor. This provided an invaluable Graduate education as I stayed on to earn my own Master’s in Philosophy and eventually became a Lead Graduate Teaching Associate in 2011.
After relocating to the Pacific Northwest in 2012, and working as an adjunct (“road warrior”) at up to 6 institutions at a given term, I was awarded a full-time tenure-track position at Green River College in 2015. The job security and administrative oversight of full-time work allowed me to switch pedagogically from new (and often multiple) course preps every term, to developing and improving my pedagogy and curriculum design overall. In addition to remaining active at national conferences and participating on committees for the American Philosophical Association and American Association of Philosophy Teachers, I also worked to join and develop local organizations for philosophy instructors to network and collaborate. I have taken on leadership roles for grant-awarded work in numerous groups focused specifically on the teaching of philosophy for many demographics, including and especially the community- and pre-college levels.
Having secured tenure in 2018; my time, energy, and work have focused on mentoring philosophy students and instructors, as well as collaborating with peers to develop and promote open educational resources for our discipline. I am quite proud of my library of pedagogical materials and the outreach efforts I have participated in over my decade+ as a professional in higher education. I look forward to continuing my work and following my intellectual passions where ever they may lead.
My Pledge Against Authoritarianism
1. I will not aid in the registering, rounding up or internment of students and colleagues on the basis of their religious beliefs.
2. I will not aid in the marginalization, exclusion or deportation of my undocumented students and colleagues.
3. I will, as my capacities allow, discourage and defend against the bullying and harassment of vulnerable students and colleagues targeted for important aspects of their identity (such as race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, etc.).
4. I will not aid government or law enforcement in activities which violate the U.S. Constitution or other U.S. law.
5. I will not aid in government surveillance. I will not inform.
6. As a teacher and researcher, I will not be bought or intimidated. I will present the state of research in my field accurately, whether or not it is what the government wants to hear. I will challenge others when they lie.
7. I will not be shy about my commitment to academic values: truth, objectivity, free inquiry and rational debate. I will challenge others when they engage in behavior contrary to these values.
8. As an administrator, I will defend my students, faculty and nonacademic staff. I will not allow the expulsion, firing, disciplining, harassment or marginalization of individuals targeted for being members of disfavored groups or for expressing dangerous opinions.
9. I will speak up for academic freedom. I will insist on the autonomy of my institution.
10. I will stand with my colleagues at other institutions, and defend their rights and freedoms.
11. I will be fair and unbiased in the classroom, in grading and in all my dealings with all my students, including those who disagree with me politically.
(Rachel Barney, Anti-Authoritarian Academic Code of Conduct)
My Pledge Against Systemic Racism
Black Lives Matter! The philosophy department at Green River College categorically rejects racism, white supremacy, and police brutality. We stand in solidarity with our Black brothers, sisters, and non-binary siblings against anti-Black racism in all forms.
As a community of scholars who are committed to studying race and other marginalized voices as part of our core curriculum, we know that this violence is not new. The United States is built upon stolen and looted Indigenous land under the justification of manifest destiny and settler-colonialism. Furthermore, the infrastructure of this country was built with the stolen and enslaved labor of Black bodies. Racism is the legacy of this country that is still being carried out to this day. We are thus committed to contributing to the epistemic reparations owed to the victims of a system that was designed to uphold white supremacy.
Furthermore, as philosophers we recognize the role that much philosophy has had in justifying past acts of oppression. We also recognize the incredible role the philosopher can play in revolutionizing unjust systems. People like Franz Fanon, bell Hooks, Cornel West, Angela Davis and various other Black scholars have showed us, through their words and actions, the vital importance of standing in solidarity with Black voices speaking out and working against racism; from interpersonal to global realms. Black philosophers continue to do the work of their own liberation while dealing with blatant racism, discrimination, and crushing microaggressions. In this department, we are committed to protecting and celebrating our fellow Black colleagues, students, and staff across, and beyond, the academy.
The work before us requires herculean effort; but we shall not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Racial justice can only be achieved by understanding the breadth and depth of white supremacy while working together to radically shift the balance of power. We cannot ever be complacent. We must fight racism in all its forms. We must not be afraid to challenge and resist the status quo imposed by white supremacy. In the words of Fannie Lou Hamer, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” (UO Philosophy Department, Anti-racism Statement)
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