We have an accreditation commission visiting us. Today, they held an open forum for faculty to express how we feel about the way the university functions.
It was really funny because a professor would get up and say, “I’m a Distinguished Research Professor, I’ve worked here for 26 years. The administration is mishandling the university. The working environment is untenable, we are betraying our mission.”
Then a beaming administrator would get up and say, “I’m an Assistant Vice Dean for Information Technology. I’ve been here two months. Everything works great, everything’s wonderful.”
The strongest speaker was me. I mean, the Distinguished Research Professor of 26 years was also great but she cried. I was great and didn’t cry, so I win. I said everything you’ve heard me say a million times but without mentioning neoliberalism. The room fell dead silent after I spoke. Of course, then immediately two subservient women jumped up to say that it’s not true, the administration is great, we have fantastic DEI, etc.
“Ah, the strikebreaker squad is here,” I said loudly.
We need more brave and reasoned voices such as yourself and (much) less groupthink think in academia.
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Thank you! To be honest, I almost cried. I didn’t expect myself to get emotional but I had spent the morning with people who are terrified of losing their jobs, and it got to me in a way I didn’t think it would. My Dean was looking daggers at me but he hates me anyway, so whatever.
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Terrified of of losing their jobs is pretty much the definition of the SA government, especially since most only qualified due to DEI considerations.
https://www.biznews.com/interviews/2017/04/21/rw-johnson-anc-racism
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