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1st June 2017, 02:02 PM | #1 |
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OR Professor objects to white students being excluded from campus for Day of Absence
I'm a bit surprised this hasn't already shown up on ISF, so I'll go ahead and contribute.
Here's the scenario: A professor at Evergreen University in Oregon protested a policy shift for the campus' annual "Day of Absence". Historically, the Day of Absence has seen minority students and faculty voluntarily absent themselves from campus on that day, in order to demonstrate the value of their contributions and presence at school. This year, however, it was proposed that instead of people of color choosing to stay home... they should instead insist that white people shouldn't be allowed to come to school. The professor, Bret Weinstein, protested this proposal as a move in the wrong direction:
Quote:
Article: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/...ring-professor Video of the student objection outside of Professor Weinstein's office: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCZNCmMFwcI Personally, I agree with Professor Weinstein. I am fully supportive of a day of absence, and if it were deemed appropriate by those involved I would happily absent myself in order to show support for that message. But I would be very offended if it were suggested that I not be allowed to come to campus on that day because of my skin color. I am also struck by the complete lack of discourse being demonstrated by college students. |
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The distance between the linguistic dehumanization of a people and their actual suppression and extermination is not great; it is but a small step. - Haig Bosmajian |
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1st June 2017, 02:17 PM | #2 |
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I wouldn't be "fully supportive". I find such public demonstrations pretty pointless, regardless of the cause. But I wouldn't oppose or try to stop it either. But if I were a professor there, I wouldn't change my class schedule to accommodate it.
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"As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose -- that it may violate property instead of protecting it -- then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder. Political questions will always be prejudicial, dominant, and all-absorbing. There will be fighting at the door of the Legislative Palace, and the struggle within will be no less furious." - Bastiat, The Law |
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1st June 2017, 02:18 PM | #3 |
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triggered
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1st June 2017, 02:24 PM | #4 |
Rarely prone to hissy-fits
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I would be supportive, in part because I support the message, but also because I think this is an effective way to get that message conveyed.
I would have been surprised several months ago. Today, not so much. I'm still appalled and saddened, but I'm not surprised anymore. Which is sad in and of itself. |
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The distance between the linguistic dehumanization of a people and their actual suppression and extermination is not great; it is but a small step. - Haig Bosmajian |
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1st June 2017, 02:44 PM | #5 |
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Isn't evergreen that hippy school with no grades and no real curriculum?
Imagine my surprise. |
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I love you and I vote. |
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1st June 2017, 02:49 PM | #6 |
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And the professor is a self proclaimed progressive. Ah, the progressive teacher/student relationship comes full circle.
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1st June 2017, 03:01 PM | #7 |
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1st June 2017, 03:14 PM | #8 |
Critical Thinker
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Ouch. Do you suppose someone finally realized that our minority "Day of Absence" was actually our secret white person "Day of Celebration"? I told you this couldn't last! ...and that even one of these slow minority types would eventually figure it out!
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1st June 2017, 03:15 PM | #9 |
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Almost all of the protesters were white and most of those look like they take full advantage of the college's lunch program. Put down the fork and learn to read. What was racist in the Professor's letter?
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1st June 2017, 03:17 PM | #10 |
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I'ld enjoy the day off and go soak in a hot spring somewhere.
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1st June 2017, 03:45 PM | #11 |
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Exclusion from a day of absence? How many people are going to show up by mistake just because of the confusion surrounding a double negative?
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You added nothing to that conversation, Barbara. |
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1st June 2017, 03:45 PM | #12 |
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I'm sure the school could never survive without multiculturalism. The whole idea is stupid - A Day Of Absence, A Day Without Mexicans. How about a day without preachy asswipes? Just one day.
Oh thank you great school for showing me the errors of my ways! We would not be able to survive without your incredible progressive wisdom! Your moral superiority is inspiring! Now blow me. |
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Why bother? |
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1st June 2017, 04:15 PM | #13 |
Illuminator
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There's a pic of the letter in this article : https://mic.com/articles/178730/ever...nce#.9Mpr2sRzy
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1st June 2017, 04:52 PM | #14 |
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The Oregonian newspaper has published the full set of emails, they can be read in PDF form in this article:
Quote:
http://www.theolympian.com/news/poli...153826004.html The rest of their coverage is well worth reading as well. |
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"I need hard facts! Bring in the dowsers!" 'America Unearthed' Season 1, Episode 13: Hunt for the Holy Grail Everybody gets it wrong sometimes... |
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1st June 2017, 04:54 PM | #15 | |||
Penultimate Amazing
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Eddie Murphy figured it out years ago.
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"As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose -- that it may violate property instead of protecting it -- then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder. Political questions will always be prejudicial, dominant, and all-absorbing. There will be fighting at the door of the Legislative Palace, and the struggle within will be no less furious." - Bastiat, The Law |
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2nd June 2017, 01:55 AM | #16 |
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Anybody giving credence to any of this needs their head examined. A Day of Absence! **** off. If the world had an Eternity of Absence from these PC idiots it would be a better place.
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2nd June 2017, 05:26 AM | #17 |
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For anyone who is interested, this video comes from one of the Alt-Right channels I keep an eye on, it includes a video from the students protest. Presented to show how the story is playing amongst the Alt-Right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amvwQptFwXM |
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"I need hard facts! Bring in the dowsers!" 'America Unearthed' Season 1, Episode 13: Hunt for the Holy Grail Everybody gets it wrong sometimes... |
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2nd June 2017, 06:18 AM | #18 |
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Before you say something stupid about climate change, check this list. "If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them. " Karl Popper, The Open Society and Its Enemies Vol. 1 |
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2nd June 2017, 06:36 AM | #19 |
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2nd June 2017, 06:52 AM | #20 |
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Between right wing idiots that believe any issue can be decided in their favor by using military force and the goof balls on that campus, we may well be doomed.
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Music is what feelings sound like "Dulce bellum inexpertīs." - Erasmus |
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2nd June 2017, 07:40 AM | #21 |
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2nd June 2017, 07:54 AM | #22 |
Penultimate Amazing
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I suspect we don't agree on what their message is. I believe the real message of the protests is not the nominal message, and their attempts to get this professor fired are not simply overzealous efforts in the cause of the nominal message but an integral part of the real message.
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"As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose -- that it may violate property instead of protecting it -- then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder. Political questions will always be prejudicial, dominant, and all-absorbing. There will be fighting at the door of the Legislative Palace, and the struggle within will be no less furious." - Bastiat, The Law |
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2nd June 2017, 08:26 AM | #23 |
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I tend to have sympathy for the professor in this story. But I can't seem to muster it this time. This insane ideology was shaped and molded by Weinstein and his fellow professors at Evergreen. They taught this ideology. Their students listened and believed it. This is a monster co-created by him. That it has turned on him now isn't sad, it's poetic justice.
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"Structural Engineering is the art of molding materials we do not wholly understand into shapes we cannot precisely analyze so as to understand forces we cannot really assess in such a way that the community at large has no reason to suspect the extent of our own ignorance." James E Amrhein |
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2nd June 2017, 08:27 AM | #24 |
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Baron & Bogative- Do me a favor and post why you think that alt right video that was linked was either racist or anti-racist.
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"When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look but it was gone, I cannot put my finger on it now. The child is grown, the dream is gone. I have become comfortably numb. " Pink Floyd |
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2nd June 2017, 08:30 AM | #25 |
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2nd June 2017, 08:30 AM | #26 |
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FIREing Weinstein
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has a thoughtful article on this incident. "Whatever you think of the content of Weinstein’s now infamous email, threatening a professor’s safety, driving his class off campus, and demanding his firing because of his protected speech should trouble anyone who cares about the free exchange of ideas. All the more troubling should be the fact that this isn’t the first time something like this has happened on campus, and, given the environment right now, it might not be the last."
If the students get ride of Professor Weinstein, do they plan to teach themselves biology? Do they want someone with less experience than he has teaching them? |
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It is possible both to be right about an issue and to take oneself a little too seriously, but I would rather be reminded of that by a friend than a foe. (a tip of the hat to Foolmewunz) |
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2nd June 2017, 08:31 AM | #27 |
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I think something that people forget about is the legacy of PTSD that slavery leaves on a society or culture. Some of the things the guys said in the alt right video were accurate, some not. The college students protesting may have a point but shouting black power isn't appropriate. True anti-racism is people power. I see wrong on both sides.
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"When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look but it was gone, I cannot put my finger on it now. The child is grown, the dream is gone. I have become comfortably numb. " Pink Floyd |
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2nd June 2017, 08:34 AM | #28 |
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"When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look but it was gone, I cannot put my finger on it now. The child is grown, the dream is gone. I have become comfortably numb. " Pink Floyd |
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2nd June 2017, 08:41 AM | #29 |
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Here is an article that cites research or perspectives on the long term damages of slavery, specifically in the United States:
https://newrepublic.com/article/1223...lack-americans |
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"When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look but it was gone, I cannot put my finger on it now. The child is grown, the dream is gone. I have become comfortably numb. " Pink Floyd |
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2nd June 2017, 09:16 AM | #30 |
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2nd June 2017, 09:20 AM | #31 |
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2nd June 2017, 09:22 AM | #32 |
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Slavery. Give me a break. These students are amongst the global top 1% in terms of privilege and opportunity, it's difficult to imagine a more privileged group, and what do they do with their advantage? Whine about how they're downtrodden because they can't exclude white people from their college, march around chanting racist slogans, vilify their very own teachers for no reason and attempt to destroy their careers, and generally act like the spoiled brats that they are. So yes, every one of them should be expelled and their university places given to deserving people of whatever ethnicity who would appreciate a thousand times over the opportunity to study in their place. The only downside is we'd have to listen to all the apologists claiming that the reason they were 'on the streets' is not because of their disgusting behaviour, but on account of all us nasty white racists who wouldn't give them a chance. Pass the tissues, it's all so sad.
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2nd June 2017, 09:28 AM | #33 |
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Just my opinion, but crap like this is exactly how middle class whites in America get driven to supporting conservatives (or even Trump) when they would otherwise have no inkling to do so.
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2nd June 2017, 09:29 AM | #34 |
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2nd June 2017, 09:34 AM | #35 |
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2nd June 2017, 09:35 AM | #36 |
Not a doctor.
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Suffering is not a punishment not a fruit of sin, it is a gift of God. He allows us to share in His suffering and to make up for the sins of the world. -Mother Teresa If I had a pet panda I would name it Snowflake. |
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2nd June 2017, 09:44 AM | #37 |
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgenerational_trauma
Repeated generational trauma, regardless of the cause, whether it's genocide or slavery, or even both, has lasting affects on a culture or race that isn't easily undone by signing an emancipation proclamation. This trauma was never addressed in the African American society so any problems with racism will never be resolved until that is addressed in treatment programs. Now how this relates to the topic, the percentage of African Americans living in Washington state is small. The reason this whole situation happened was due to cultural insensitivity under the guise of a good cause. The last thing you want to ever do is accuse a hippy of being a hypocrite although they so often are. Nobody had a problem with this until they asked the white people to leave. I'm guessing Rashida is African American and it looks like it was her idea....LOLOLOL. If they really want to stop racism, it stops with the assumptions that you make about people in general. You incorporate that into your everyday life, not set aside a day to think about it with like kind. |
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"When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look but it was gone, I cannot put my finger on it now. The child is grown, the dream is gone. I have become comfortably numb. " Pink Floyd |
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2nd June 2017, 09:58 AM | #38 |
Penultimate Amazing
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I have PTSD.
What you are referencing isn't PTSD. What you describe is either a general sense of collective guilt for immoral actions and practices committed by our predecessors and the anger of individuals that feel their anger is properly directed at the ancestors of the individuals and society that committed those acts. Point of fact. The worst incident of lynching/mob violence based on race was committed on My predecessors, Sicilians in New Orleans: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_14,_1891_lynchings The March 14, 1891 lynchings were a series of lynchings of eleven Italian Americans in New Orleans, Louisiana, for their alleged role in the murder of police chief David Hennessy. It was the largest mass lynching in U.S. history.[1][2][note 1] The lynching took place the day after the trial of nine of the nineteen men indicted in the murder. Six of these defendants had been acquitted, and a mistrial had been declared for the remaining three because the jury failed to agree on their verdicts. Believing the jury had been bribed, a mob broke into the jail where the men were being held and killed eleven of them. The mob numbered in the thousands and included some of the city's most prominent citizens. American press coverage of the event was largely congratulatory, and those responsible for the lynching were never charged. The incident had serious national repercussions. Italy cut off diplomatic relations with the United States, sparking rumors of war. Increased anti-Italian sentiment led to calls for restrictions on immigration. The word "Mafia" entered the American lexicon, and the stereotype of the Italian-American mafioso was firmly established in the popular imagination. I heard about it often as a kid. |
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Music is what feelings sound like "Dulce bellum inexpertīs." - Erasmus |
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2nd June 2017, 10:04 AM | #39 |
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What exactly do you refer to with "crap?"
I don't disagree with you in theory, assuming that "crap like this" means "covering the stupid antics of one of the most insular liberal arts colleges as if it was the slightest bit representative of the nation as a whole." It's typical right-wing bias, where anything objectionable on the right is downplayed, but anything on the left is cause for mass hysteria. |
2nd June 2017, 10:05 AM | #40 |
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What these young people are doing is wrong but transgenerational trauma or multigeneraltional PTSD related to persecution of a culture crosses all socioeconomic classes. They aren't acting like spoiled brats, they are venting rage that never had a voice before because we are told to get over it, stiff upper lip, and move on. There is a better way to do that, Martin Luther King had it right. So it wasn't a problem to ask all of the brown people to take a day of absence but when white people were asked to leave it caused a problem, see the hypocrisy? It works both ways.
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"When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look but it was gone, I cannot put my finger on it now. The child is grown, the dream is gone. I have become comfortably numb. " Pink Floyd |
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