Larry Summers: Perfecting that Clintonian look of contrition
A few weeks ago, Larry Summers, the president of Harvard, launched (what turned out to be) an intellectual nuclear bomb at a conference on the poor representation of women and blacks in science and engineering. He suggested that the presence of so few women in these fields is due to their biological and gender limitations. And, that these natural limitations are compounded by the unwillingness of women to make the same sacrifices as men to advance their careers.
Well, the ballistic retaliation to his comments by feminists at Harvard made the bombing of Dresden look like kids playing with firecrackers. They accused Summers of male chauvinism, intellectual arrogance and academic subjugation; and demanded his immediate resignation. It is instructive to note, however, that these fulminating (white) feminists seemed none too vexed about his apparent racial insult (an oversight that will come as no surprise to black feminists like Patricia Hill Collins and Nikki Giovanni).
Nevertheless, Summers deserves the presumption that he only intended to present an intellectually provocative inquiry. And, what’s wrong with that! This is Harvard University after all. Moreover, his questions (especially as regards women) are not so patently fatuous. Because, it is a fact that white women were not systematically discriminated against in education as blacks were; therefore, one might reasonably wonder why they have not pursued careers in science and engineering on par with their white male counterparts. (Less hysterical feminists might have cited historical, sociological and psychological factors as causes for this discrepancy rather than summarily condemning Summers for his points of view.)
Ironically, when considered in proper context, feminists calling for the resignation of Larry Summers is every bit as disproportionate and misguided as rabid Republicans calling for the impeachment of President Clinton – over a little indiscreet sex. Moreover, since they probably endorsed Clinton’s public contrition tour as sufficient punishment in his case, these feminists should leave Summers to perform his rounds of groveling apologies which – to his credit – he embarked upon immediately.
Now, from the sublime to the ridiculous:
Jada Pinkett Smith: Hey, I’m just giving out some love people
It seems Jada Pinkett Smith, the spunky wife of movie star Will Smith, ran afoul of Harvard’s politically correct police when she gave a speech there last week. Jada was being honored as Artist of the Year by the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations. But – in her enthusiasm to encourage (all) young women to pursue lofty goals – she, apparently, insulted Harvard’s bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgendered students.
And, what did they find so insulting and politically incorrect? Jada said:
‘Women, you can have it all – a loving man, devoted husband, loving children, a fabulous career….They say you gotta choose. Nah, nah, nah. We are a new generation of women. We got to set a new standard of rules around here. You can do whatever it is you want. All you have to do is want it.’
That’s it folks. They claim Jada was being “too heteronormative as if male-female sexuality is the norm in our society”. No? What is, pray tell!
Of course, given the self-conscious and petulant behavior of their feminist professors – as described above in the persecution of Larry Summers – it’s no wonder these kids have such distorted and myopic intellectual sense and sensibilities.
They’re still sulking for your apology Jada…
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Desultory Girl says
That’s so retarded. She owes them nothing.
Anonymous says
I’ll remember that next time hell is raised when a public figure/celebrity alienates African Americans.