I Missed So Much Majoring in Chemistry

From the Rice University catalog:

"

CHEM 125 001 (CRN: 25669)

AFROCHEMISTRY

Long Title: AFROCHEMISTRY: THE STUDY OF BLACK-LIFE MATTER

Department: Chemistry...

"Final Exam: No Final Exam

 

Description: Students will apply chemical tools and analysis to understand Black life in the U.S. and students will implement African American sensibilities to analyze chemistry. Diverse historical and contemporary scientists, intellectuals, and chemical discoveries will inform personal reflections and proposals for addressing inequities in chemistry and chemical education. This course will be accessible to students from a variety of backgrounds including STEM and non-STEM disciplines. No prior knowledge of chemistry or African American studies is required for engagement in this course."

I am increasingly wondering if there is any point to having the federal government provide ANY sort of financial aid to students attending schools built on racism.

It doesn't matter if you are white or black.  Na + Cl produces a vigorous exothermic reaction.  Your "lived experience" matters not in the least.  Why a chemistry department would offer a course like this tells me they are no longer a serious department.

There is no such thing as Afrochemistry.  Japanese, East Indians, Hispanics, American Indians all learn the same chemistry.  This smells like an admission that they are accepting students who are not up to the task of taking serious classes.  

They may not even be black.  There are plenty of whites who lack the capacity to take a class that involves memorization, basic algebra, and understanding concepts like valence, electron shells, thermodynamics, and gas law