Becoming answerable for what we say: Colonialism and the Pax AAR

Abstract

Margaret Miles' 1999 Presidential Address to the American Academy of Religion (AAR), while undoubtedly well-intentioned, may have extremely negative implications for the AAR as a whole. In striving for inclusivity, Miles has simply declared an end to a crucial différence and debate within the AAR. Moreover, since Miles advocates replacing intellectual disagreement with essential différences, her advances are not only unwelcome—at least to some members of the AAR—but also potentially oppressive. This essay argues that the AAR as Miles envisages it would indeed be inclusive, but certainly not pluralistic. Instead, her discourse echoes some particularly insidious aspects of colonialism. These are illustrated, finally, with reflections on annual meeting of the AAR in Nashville's Opryland, November 2000.