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That's quite generous in the current climate. I think this is a very transparent and self-serving publicity stunt and a signal to their in-group. It's getting

That's quite generous in the current climate. I think this is a very transparent and self-serving publicity stunt and a signal to their in-group. It's getting out in front of any accusations which may paint this past in a less flattering light. It's catering to exactly the kind of hyper-liberal social views and politics likely shared by their most generous donors, current and future staff and students, academia, and the US government. All of this in service to the growing gospel of diversity is very fashionable at the moment.

nemesis1637 4y ago
I think this perspective is just as limiting as extreme wokeness. No action can be taken at all without being accused of disingenuous virtue signaling. What could Harvard have done here(or any institution)? They could remain silent and ignore any connection and what would that achieve? Why should they do that instead? Or they could do what they've done and at least accomplish something. Even if they did it purely due to the current climate, who cares? At least they took ownership and made a real plan to attempt to address the issues and their history. If I'm a descendant of someone whose body is held in Harvard's collection, for example, The politics are unimportant; I just want it resolved.
- evocatus 4y ago
  Exactly. The guilt never ends, and there is always something you can be persecuted for. The solution is not to demand that "the institutions" do something to atone for their blasphemous behavior; rather for individuals to introspect on their own behavior and the innumerable ways in which they, too, are guilty, before pointing the finger at others. I find it immensely aggravating when those who call for large scale social action seem incapable of observing the very same tenets they espouse during small scale, every day encounters.
alphabettsy 4y ago
> It's getting out in front of any accusations which may paint this past in a less flattering light. It’s not exactly new information. What’s your point?

nemesis1637 4y ago

I think this perspective is just as limiting as extreme wokeness. No action can be taken at all without being accused of disingenuous virtue signaling. What could Harvard have done here(or any institution)? They could remain silent and ignore any connection and what would that achieve? Why should they do that instead? Or they could do what they've done and at least accomplish something. Even if they did it purely due to the current climate, who cares? At least they took ownership and made a real plan to attempt to address the issues and their history. If I'm a descendant of someone whose body is held in Harvard's collection, for example, The politics are unimportant; I just want it resolved.

evocatus 4y ago
Exactly. The guilt never ends, and there is always something you can be persecuted for. The solution is not to demand that "the institutions" do something to atone for their blasphemous behavior; rather for individuals to introspect on their own behavior and the innumerable ways in which they, too, are guilty, before pointing the finger at others. I find it immensely aggravating when those who call for large scale social action seem incapable of observing the very same tenets they espouse during small scale, every day encounters.

alphabettsy 4y ago

> It's getting out in front of any accusations which may paint this past in a less flattering light. It’s not exactly new information. What’s your point?