The citizenry is drowning in hagiography, which is why I make it a point not to add to it. 

One of your colleagues, Minnie Bruce Pratt, attracted my attention via Poetry magazine.  Statements she made incited me to sketch a cartoon with her regard. It is posted on ‘The American Dissident’ blog.

It is hoped several of you might be curious to examine the uncomfortable truths depicted in it. The crux of the criticism concerns Pratt’s assertion of wanting a socialist revolution. But there she sits comfortably enjoying privilege under the capitalist system, which designates her as an ’eminent poet.’  How strange, I’d thought: a revolutionary with established-order chevrons and laurels. 

The problem with the so-called women’s liberation is purported liberators have mostly been co-opted by the established order, especially in the realm of politics and academe. Hillary Rodham Clinton stands as prime example of that. What does it matter if a hack is female or male? Ah, but the old ‘60s feminists a la Pratt are quite contented with their positions in the established order. They remain shamefully silent regarding, for example, Islam’s inherent misogyny.  How disgusted I was to see the photo of feminist Clinton wearing a head scarf in solidarity with misogynist Islamists. 

Syracuse University boasts of being a bastion of freedom of speech while restricting that freedom. For this, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education designated the institution a red-light university. ‘A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech,’ notes the foundation. I ask why you have done nothing at all to question and challenge the shameful situation, or if you have done something, let me know what the results were. 

My experience challenging academics over the past several decades underscores the likelihood that one of you will deign to respond and engage in vigorous debate is next to nil. The true purpose of this letter is not to provoke a response, but to form part of the public record. Thanks to the Internet, this criticism of you and your university will be posted. 

My experience underscores The Daily Orange is a rare student newspaper for not simply running the letter, but actually responding to it. Not one professor responded.

Please consider asking your library to subscribe to ‘The American Dissident.’ Students might find the no-holds-barred, non-ideological criticism refreshing. Perhaps students are not your real top priority, despite the proclamations. Subscribers include Harvard University, Buffalo University, Brown University, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin and New York Public Library.  

Thank you for your attention.  

Tod Slone

Founding editor, The American Dissident 

Published on February 13, 2012 at 12:00 pm