Through the few connections I still have with Wash U via Facebook, I discovered that Phyllis Schlafly is to be awarded an honorary degree at this year's Commencement. And it hasn't gone down too well, and I'm delighted to see that Feministing has picked up on it too. You'll be able to read the full objections - I don't plan to list them all (and my honest opinion, even though I'm a palaeontologist, is that her rampant IDiocy is really no reason to deny her an honorary degree, unless it is in a scientific subject - the rest, however, is fair game!).
But I can't say I'm surprised that a university that allows an alleged violent sexual predator (against whom there really were a lot of witnesses that the university didn't bother to interview) to remain in post in a position of responsibility and power over young female students, completely unchecked, and effectively endorse his attacks on (at least) two other women before finally deciding to fire his ass, would honour a woman who quite publicly stated:
My advice to the graduating class? Whatever you do with your life, do something that undermines what Phyllis Schlafly stands for, even if it's a very small thing. Show by your actions that the students can rise above the decay within the administration. And rather than pay your respects at the next alumni fundraising drive, donate what you would have given to the university to a charity that will uphold the human rights Ms Schlafly clearly doesn't believe in. The legacy you leave will be priceless.
But I can't say I'm surprised that a university that allows an alleged violent sexual predator (against whom there really were a lot of witnesses that the university didn't bother to interview) to remain in post in a position of responsibility and power over young female students, completely unchecked, and effectively endorse his attacks on (at least) two other women before finally deciding to fire his ass, would honour a woman who quite publicly stated:
Sexual harassment on the job is not a problem for virtuous women, except in the rarest of cases. Men hardly ever ask sexual favors of women from whom the certain answer is no. Virtuous women are seldom accosted.Just goes to show that the whole university is rotten right the way up to the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees. How sad for this year's graduates to have to share the stage with such a vile human being.
My advice to the graduating class? Whatever you do with your life, do something that undermines what Phyllis Schlafly stands for, even if it's a very small thing. Show by your actions that the students can rise above the decay within the administration. And rather than pay your respects at the next alumni fundraising drive, donate what you would have given to the university to a charity that will uphold the human rights Ms Schlafly clearly doesn't believe in. The legacy you leave will be priceless.
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