[Alumni-chat] (no subject)

[Michael Brower]

J. David wrote:  "Bob, isn't it possible that the real issue is the  
array of (ideological
pedagogical, professorial, politically correct, etc.) choices that  
have been
and are being made by and about the past and present resources --  
human and
financial?"

To J. David,

In my last post I thought that this comment from you meant that  
Antioch choices were being
made from too conservative, too traditional, too main-stream, a  
perspective, and I answered
you from that assumption, arguing that Antioch is very radical.

But now Matt Baya has suggested that I might have misunderstood you  
and that you
may have meant the opposite.

He wrote:  that "there is an environment of 'political correctness'
at Antioch is probably a fair statement, though admittedly I haven't
sat in the C-shop 6 times in the past few years, but based on my
experience at Antioch in the 80's & 90's I am fairly confident that
this is a fair assumption. This is not to say that different opinions
or lifestyles are not tolerated but certainly when someone spouts an
opinion that differs drastically from the campus norm they find  
themselves
defending it on multiple fronts. For example I remember one student
in the early 90's who was vocal enough to express his opinions and  
political
leanings with the Republican Party & Pro Life groups, and another who  
was
part of ROTC at another college and thus wore his uniform on campus.  
Both these
students found themselves having to basically justify their opinions
in the caf/c-shop fairly often."

J. David, I agree with what Matt wrote, quoted above.  Personally I  
think that
Antioch would be a much better and healthier learning environment if  
there were
on campus more conservatives, even the so-called 'Neo Conservatives"  
whom I call
"radical reactionaries and icompetent imperialists" who now control  
our country
Why?  Because then Antioch students would have more chance to discuss  
and debate
those who disagree with them.  This is a major potential source of  
learning
now being lost.

But, personally, I do not like the harsh abrasive in-your-face  
confrontational style
that some, perhaps too many, use.  I propose and prefer and advocate,  
a more dialogue process, a more asking and listening and learning  
approach.  Although admittedly I often fail in practice to  
demonstrate this myself!

If the above words from Matt are more in line witih what you meant,  
if you were
using the term "politically correct" to describe the pressure on  
students to line up
with the local Antioch dominant student culture, rather than in more  
national
or world terms, then I agree with you and I extend my apologies to you.
BUt then how does this interpretation apply to pedagogical and  
financial choices?

-- Mike Brower '55.  Member, Alumni Board