This Needed Coalition for Academic Freedom, suggested by Dr. Brandy X. Lee, today on her SubStack Newsletter, is a timely action, ISTM. Working for decades in psychiatry, as an art psychotherapist, we practiced the ancient dictum, in regards to health and healing, that “your truth shall set you free.”
If our universities no longer support a “pursuit of truth,” about any endeavor studying the “nature of our perceivable reality,” from a rigorous application of the scientific method, as well as an authentic honesty, based on critical self reflection, then a sustainable future in a democracy is not possible.
The political strategy for distorting the truth, spreading misinformation and character-assassination has under-mined the American collective psyche, especially in certain generations, faith-in-ourselves AND instilled a mis-trust in our governance.
Hence, more than ever will future American citizen-students need to be guided by role models with integrity and taught critical and creative thinking?
That very question loomed large from a dream I had this very week, based on my years in academia, which guided me to raise these similar questions!
Seems to me the out-spoken professors and the whistle-blowers ARE becoming visionaries for the future health and integrity of each and every individual among us AND for the freedom to speak the truth in the interest of high productivity in our institutions OF higher learning AND in our democratic government.
Are enough American voting-citizens given sufficient and accurate information to evolve into informed and wise voters in our next democratic election THIS Fall?
Are enough American voters clear enough to realize, as an informed voter, that voting with the benefit of seemingly polarized, yet civil debate, that we Americans can reach the most informed and creative consensus votes for all voters?
Thanks for the timeliness of suggesting A Needed Coalition for Academic Freedom, a place where censored visionaries might find support and recognition until enough citizens are sufficiently aware to take informed actions, including voting locally, in professional and union associations and at the state and federal levels.
Thank you. I keep shaking my head over the Yale handling of this matter and that it could get away with it in court. I'm probably accurate in thinking that it's part of the general climate of fear and intimidation as long as the Trump/Republican Party (now the Cult of Trump Personality) continues. I know that the Democratic Party politicians aren't perfect, as I keep in mind how not to let the "perfect be the enemy of the good." So, vote Blue!
The idea of academia is that we need an environment where we can rationally preserve, produce, and transmit knowledge by freely honing our ability to separate knowable from unknowable unknowns and articulating the difference.
Given what we face on a daily basis, certainty on a topic can quickly turn into sophistry, which is antithetical to the spirit of academic discussion. A school of sophists is a distasteful thought.
One topic upon which we can be certain--especially when facing unknowns--is our ethical responsibility to others.
The difference between sophistry and healthy academic discussion is the presence of charity and the idea of universal, but unknowable, truth. Ego, the source of sophistry, allows no room for truth other than itself. The word truth often puts academics on their heels because Ego so easily uses the word as a weapon, rather than reason's asymptotic ideal.
A university that cannot see-through, tame, and protect itself from Ego both inside and outside the school is no longer academic.
I'm glad I do not have a college age child who might wish to apply to/attend Yale. If I did, I would not support that action. At this point, I'm wondering if Yale relies very heavily on legacy admissions.
This reminds me of “The Peace Movement “ when the students on campus became so frustrated with their universities supporting the VN war that administration buildings were occupied and some faculty held hostage. Ironically I wouldn’t be surprised if some of those same students are now on the wrong side censorship, due process, and just plain old, “what’s right”.
Dr. Lee: While I agree with you 100%, I must remind ourselves that American fascism is represented in part by the synergistic efforts of many players; including those of Netanyahu, Israel, and Putin, Russia; to mention just a couple examples although the list available is inordinately long. What is most disturbing, however, is that our democratic president is complicit with the genocide of Palestinians committed by Israel with our weapons, financial support and vetoes at the UN. I’m increasingly inclined to suggest that Biden also needs to have his support for fascist Zionism, reflective of incompetence and zero degree of empathy, subject to your analysis. Genocide is unacceptable, whether committed by our enemies or by those purported to be our friends. Tragically, too many progressive pundits are silent, hence complicit, in yet another genocide against indigenous people, the Hated Others—who by coincidence or design are less white than the colonial settlers acceptable to Israelis, et al. At the very least, we are morally obligated to call for a belated permanent cease-fire, an end to non humanitarian aid to Israel and accountability for the war crimes historically committed by all sides including the British, U.S. and Hamas. Impunity, as you have repeatedly stated so well, leads to repetition, to say the least. It may allow the despicable travesty to serve as a contagion.
I’m unable to support Biden during the primaries and have urged others to vote for Marianne Williamson. Biden’s acquiescence to genocide must have consequences.
The fascist surge should be viewed as a pandemic, a societal disease. By focusing on Trump, we’re failing to see the proverbial forest, justifiable obsessed by the Trumpian tree.
In the meantime, we can and must write and call our elected representatives so as to avoid being complicit in the unfolding carnage, 2/3 innocent women and children.
This Needed Coalition for Academic Freedom, suggested by Dr. Brandy X. Lee, today on her SubStack Newsletter, is a timely action, ISTM. Working for decades in psychiatry, as an art psychotherapist, we practiced the ancient dictum, in regards to health and healing, that “your truth shall set you free.”
If our universities no longer support a “pursuit of truth,” about any endeavor studying the “nature of our perceivable reality,” from a rigorous application of the scientific method, as well as an authentic honesty, based on critical self reflection, then a sustainable future in a democracy is not possible.
The political strategy for distorting the truth, spreading misinformation and character-assassination has under-mined the American collective psyche, especially in certain generations, faith-in-ourselves AND instilled a mis-trust in our governance.
Hence, more than ever will future American citizen-students need to be guided by role models with integrity and taught critical and creative thinking?
That very question loomed large from a dream I had this very week, based on my years in academia, which guided me to raise these similar questions!
Seems to me the out-spoken professors and the whistle-blowers ARE becoming visionaries for the future health and integrity of each and every individual among us AND for the freedom to speak the truth in the interest of high productivity in our institutions OF higher learning AND in our democratic government.
Are enough American voting-citizens given sufficient and accurate information to evolve into informed and wise voters in our next democratic election THIS Fall?
Are enough American voters clear enough to realize, as an informed voter, that voting with the benefit of seemingly polarized, yet civil debate, that we Americans can reach the most informed and creative consensus votes for all voters?
Thanks for the timeliness of suggesting A Needed Coalition for Academic Freedom, a place where censored visionaries might find support and recognition until enough citizens are sufficiently aware to take informed actions, including voting locally, in professional and union associations and at the state and federal levels.
Where do I sign up?
Dr. Roberta Shoemaker-Beal
Thank you. I keep shaking my head over the Yale handling of this matter and that it could get away with it in court. I'm probably accurate in thinking that it's part of the general climate of fear and intimidation as long as the Trump/Republican Party (now the Cult of Trump Personality) continues. I know that the Democratic Party politicians aren't perfect, as I keep in mind how not to let the "perfect be the enemy of the good." So, vote Blue!
The idea of academia is that we need an environment where we can rationally preserve, produce, and transmit knowledge by freely honing our ability to separate knowable from unknowable unknowns and articulating the difference.
Given what we face on a daily basis, certainty on a topic can quickly turn into sophistry, which is antithetical to the spirit of academic discussion. A school of sophists is a distasteful thought.
One topic upon which we can be certain--especially when facing unknowns--is our ethical responsibility to others.
The difference between sophistry and healthy academic discussion is the presence of charity and the idea of universal, but unknowable, truth. Ego, the source of sophistry, allows no room for truth other than itself. The word truth often puts academics on their heels because Ego so easily uses the word as a weapon, rather than reason's asymptotic ideal.
A university that cannot see-through, tame, and protect itself from Ego both inside and outside the school is no longer academic.
Begin with the prompts of total selfishness and lack of empathy - and you get people and institutions that serve themselves and condemn others - especially "others" who are not White Males. https://eastwindezine.com/mosf-18-12-election-season-2024-deconstructing-the-trump-far-right-playbook-and-propaganda/
I'm glad I do not have a college age child who might wish to apply to/attend Yale. If I did, I would not support that action. At this point, I'm wondering if Yale relies very heavily on legacy admissions.
This reminds me of “The Peace Movement “ when the students on campus became so frustrated with their universities supporting the VN war that administration buildings were occupied and some faculty held hostage. Ironically I wouldn’t be surprised if some of those same students are now on the wrong side censorship, due process, and just plain old, “what’s right”.
Dr. Lee: While I agree with you 100%, I must remind ourselves that American fascism is represented in part by the synergistic efforts of many players; including those of Netanyahu, Israel, and Putin, Russia; to mention just a couple examples although the list available is inordinately long. What is most disturbing, however, is that our democratic president is complicit with the genocide of Palestinians committed by Israel with our weapons, financial support and vetoes at the UN. I’m increasingly inclined to suggest that Biden also needs to have his support for fascist Zionism, reflective of incompetence and zero degree of empathy, subject to your analysis. Genocide is unacceptable, whether committed by our enemies or by those purported to be our friends. Tragically, too many progressive pundits are silent, hence complicit, in yet another genocide against indigenous people, the Hated Others—who by coincidence or design are less white than the colonial settlers acceptable to Israelis, et al. At the very least, we are morally obligated to call for a belated permanent cease-fire, an end to non humanitarian aid to Israel and accountability for the war crimes historically committed by all sides including the British, U.S. and Hamas. Impunity, as you have repeatedly stated so well, leads to repetition, to say the least. It may allow the despicable travesty to serve as a contagion.
I’m unable to support Biden during the primaries and have urged others to vote for Marianne Williamson. Biden’s acquiescence to genocide must have consequences.
The fascist surge should be viewed as a pandemic, a societal disease. By focusing on Trump, we’re failing to see the proverbial forest, justifiable obsessed by the Trumpian tree.
In the meantime, we can and must write and call our elected representatives so as to avoid being complicit in the unfolding carnage, 2/3 innocent women and children.
WhiteHouse.gov
Congress switchboard: (202)224-3121