Rocks and racism? How geologists created and perpetuated a narrative of prejudice

Kathryn Yusoff sparked a culture war with her latest book, suggesting slavery and white supremacy informed the work of geology’s founding fathers. Here, she and other experts suggest that attitudes have changed little since
It was at the London Library at St James’s Square, surrounded by the shiny offices of geological extraction companies including BP and Rio Tinto, that Kathryn Yusoff discovered a deep link between geology and racism. It was 2017, and the professor of inhuman geography from Queen Mary University of London was doing research for a book about the history of geology. Little did she know that her niche, archival discoveries, which led to a 600-page tome on race and geoscience seven years later, would put her on the very faultline of a culture war.
The academic book, called Geologic Life, was published in 2024. It soon attracted the attention of the conservative higher education publication the College Fix, which said that Yusoff’s writing “suggests even rocks have been corrupted in white supremacists’ schemes”. A minor eruption followed, with articles in many rightwing newspapers including the Daily Mail and Telegraph, featuring quotes such as “geology is no more racist than fish’n’chips”. “The articles were grossly inaccurate and deliberately mischaracterised the book in inflammatory and abusive language,” says Yusoff.
Continue reading...-
How ‘Severance’ Is Shifting the Work-Life Balance Narrative With Innies and Outies
As “Severance” nears the end of its second season, the show has created a “cultural moment” that is changing the way people discuss work-life balance.The New York Times - 2d -
The White House is using tariffs to restore manufacturing. Data suggests it will take time.
What the White House wants and what the economic realities of manufacturing and trade are don’t line up, experts say.NBC News - 5d -
How "The Cake Mix Doctor" Anne Byrn plans to represent a region in her latest book
Journalist, food historian and native Southerner Anne Byrn has spent the last three years working on a comprehensive book about an influential culinary tradition. "Baking in the American South" ...CBS News - 1d -
How This Beauty Brand Founder Celebrates Her Culture With a Hero Ingredient
Michelle Ranavat creates products that honor her Indian heritage while delivering proven results.Inc. - 3d -
My stepmother inherited 100% of my father’s estate. She’s leaving everything to her two kids. Is that fair?
“I had a wonderful relationship with my father.”MarketWatch - 21h -
Ukraine war in maps: How control has shifted in three years
How are Russia and Ukraine placed after three years of fighting and with Donald Trump suggesting talks on ending the war could begin soon?BBC News - 3d -
Portrait may be the only one of England's 9-day queen painted during her lifetime
Research by the charity English Heritage suggests it may have found a portrait of England's shortest-reigning queen Lady Jane GreyABC News - Mar. 7 -
Oprah Winfrey names "The Tell" as latest book club selection
"The Tell" author Amy Griffin shares how revealing childhood trauma helped her heal.CBS News - 5d -
Facebook whistleblower alleges ‘lethal carelessness’ in new book
Sarah Wynn-Williams, who worked at Facebook for six years, opens up about her experience at the tech giant, what she calls the company’s “lethal carelessness” and her views on Mark Zuckerberg in a ...NBC News - 6d
More from The Guardian
-
Kremlin confirms Trump-Putin call on Tuesday as European leaders question Russia’s intentions – Europe live
Russian leader and US president to speak by phone and discuss Ukraine ceasefire plan. Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party submitted a bill to parliament on Monday that would ban the Pride march by ...The Guardian - 41m -
Houthis and US both vow escalation after wave of deadly American airstrikes in Yemen – Middle East crisis live
US says airstrikes are intended to deter rebel group from attacking Red Sea shipping. Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles continue to be positioned around the occupied West Bank city of Jenin and ...The Guardian - 39m -
Canada PM Carney visits France and UK as Trump trade war deepens
Carney aims to bolster European alliances in wake of US president’s attacks on Canada’s sovereignty. Mark Carney, the new Canadian prime minister, has arrived in Paris on his first stop of a visit ...The Guardian - 1h -
Italy one of five ‘dismantlers’ causing ‘democratic recession’ in Europe, report says
Civil liberties report warns that Italy along with Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovakia intentionally undermining rule of law ‘in nearly all aspects’. Italy’s government has profoundly ...The Guardian - 7h -
North Macedonia mourns dead in nightclub fire as 15 people detained
Government declares seven-day period of mourning after fire in eastern town of Kočani kills at least 59. North Macedonia has declared a seven-day period of mourning after a fire in a nightclub ...The Guardian - 16h
More in World
-
Mother of 5 Avoids Jail After Plotting to Sell Dead Man's Toes for $250 Online: Reports
Yahoo News - 26m -
Mother of 5 Avoids Jail After Plotting to Sell Dead Man's Toes for $250 Online: Reports
Yahoo News - 26m -
‘Something must have gone wrong with us’: David Cronenberg and Howard Shore on four decades of body horror
One is the master of gruesome horror, the other is the composer who scored his most famous films. They sit down to discuss their 46-year collaboration, and the unlikely source of their darkest, ...The Guardian - 38m -
Dressing like a witch is in fashion – finally I am ahead of the curve
Like other middle-aged women, my wardrobe is predominantly made up of black, loosely fitting clothing, often worn backwards. I’m glad to see us represented in the witchcore trend. . “It’s time,” ...The Guardian - 38m -
Houthis and US both vow escalation after wave of deadly American airstrikes in Yemen – Middle East crisis live
US says airstrikes are intended to deter rebel group from attacking Red Sea shipping. Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles continue to be positioned around the occupied West Bank city of Jenin and ...The Guardian - 39m