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What does it mean to send condolences to a colleague when you don't know much about their mother? That carries the intimacy of sending someone a life event message because FB told you so. I really don't see that as "spiritually bankrupt".
It means “I recognize your humanity, and we all feel bad at times. It’s ok to grieve. I hope you feel better soon.” That’s what I hope it means when I send condolences to coworkers.
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What does it mean to send condolences to a colleague when you don't know much about their mother? That carries the intimacy of sending someone a life event message because FB told you so. I really don't see that as "spiritually bankrupt".
It has nothing to do with the mother. You would be sending condolences to him. If it's about his loss. Presumably his colleagues know something about him.
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I took it as an example of how fake and political their communication has become, and/or how disconnected a "community" they are. Course announcement that's easy to comment on, 20 pointless "that's great!" replies. Something serious and personal, 0 or 2 (there are two cases mentioned, not just his) because it's a channel for obligatory, performative engagement with strangers, not sincere communication with close coll…
a tweet eulogy seems like an easy peformative act. likely he suspects that colleagues are afraid to publicly associate with him because he is too left wing / unapologetically Black / hot topic for Harvard.
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Perhaps, he expects colleagues in a divinity school would be more aware and responsive to such a large life event.
Maybe religious people are less likely to offer condolences because they think the deceased are in "a better place"?
June 30th, 2021 I hope and pray you and your family are well! This summer is a scorcher! Here is my brief and candid letter of resignation: "How sad it is to see our beloved Harvard Divinity School in such decline and decay. The disarray of a scattered curriculum, the disenchantment of talented yet deferential faculty, and the disorientation of precious students loom large. When I arrived four years ago - with a sala…
Does anyone here have any insight into what these “anti-Palestinian prejudices” are, other than the recognition of Israel’s right to exist that is shared by almost all Americans?
It seems worth mentioning that West's critique of the apartheid in South Africa got him in hot water with ~Harvard~[1] many years ago...
[Edit 1] whoops, Yale. Guy's been at so many institutions I can't keep track... quoth Wikipedia,
> As punishment, the university administration canceled his leave for the spring term in 1987, leading him to commute from Yale in New Haven, Connecticut, where he was teaching two classes, across the Atlantic Ocean to the University of Paris.
Edit 2: I'm not here to debate this extremely flame-prone topic, just trying to satisfy a curious-sounding question
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Does anyone here have any insight into what these “anti-Palestinian prejudices” are, other than the recognition of Israel’s right to exist that is shared by almost all Americans?
Israel's right to exist isn't the question. Their policy of expansionism is. West and others have described Israel's treatment of Palestinians as apartheid. It seems worth mentioning that West's critique of the apartheid in South Africa got him in hot water with ~Harvard~[1] many years ago... [Edit 1] whoops, Yale. Guy's been at so many institutions I can't keep track... quoth Wikipedia, > As punishment, the universi…
That seems surprising. All I could find was when he got arrested at Yale during an anti-apartheid protest. Have a link?
Israel’s illegal settlements in occupied territory should be condemned. But there is no apartheid in Israel, and the recent chanting of this term in anti-Israel contexts shows ignorance. Palestinian citizens in Israel have the same rights of citizenship as anyone else, and sit in parliament.
I'm not a fan of West's politics (look up my comment history, because it's pretty clear what my politics are), but the comments here making light of West's objections seem completely off the mark. Reading the letter I see a few extremely salient complaints: 1. His first complaint is that he was a token diversity hire. Instead of his courses being placed in the general coursework section, his courses were put under 'A…
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Does anyone here have any insight into what these “anti-Palestinian prejudices” are, other than the recognition of Israel’s right to exist that is shared by almost all Americans?
Israel's right to exist isn't the question. Their policy of expansionism is. West and others have described Israel's treatment of Palestinians as apartheid. It seems worth mentioning that West's critique of the apartheid in South Africa got him in hot water with ~Harvard~[1] many years ago... [Edit 1] whoops, Yale. Guy's been at so many institutions I can't keep track... quoth Wikipedia, > As punishment, the universi…
But I think it was as a student at Yale that he got arrested, and it was for protest activity. EDIT: Nope, not a student.
Thanks for the information; I’m also glad to stay clear of the flames, which are off-topic in any case.
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No, the death of a parent (depending on one's relationship) can be incredibly devastating. It is certainly appropriate to bring that to work, because it will almost always impact one's performance. Is it strange for folks to talk about a newborn child, or marriage at work? Conversely, what about infant death or divorce? Can you bring your "whole self" or just the good news?
You are right, I didn't write out my intention clearly. People should bring life experiences like that to work-- probably shouldn't keep a scorecard though.
Maybe, maybe. I agree with a cousin comment, that this is more of a canary than anything. I posted the whole of his letter at the top level, in large part to examine how much of his letter you're fixating on. Turns out, it's a very small part -- and he spends equal time on other public notices, and you've left that point unaddressed, so I'll expand on it.
In grief, one's loneliness is deafening, even when surrounded by loved ones. When this internal loneliness is accompanied by external loneliness, the pain is amplified to a degree that I cannot express in words. To see extensive public adulation of minor accomplishments, the lack of compassion is drawn out in painful contrast. All this serves an example of "toxic positivity" -- of which he exemplifies through a clear anecdote -- which is one of several complaints he has about the organization.
I think Harvard has wrapped itself in an echo chamber and views itself as, well, invincible. Nothing can hurt Harvard. Nothing can tarnish its reputation. It doesn’t need anyone, with the money it has in the bank, and I think all of those billions has fulfilled the adage that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Did you read the resignation letter? It had pretty much nothing to do with "corruption" or absolute power.
“Please don't comment on whether someone read an article. "Did you even read the article? It mentions that" can be shortened to "The article mentions that."”