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   that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)'s status on Thursday, 14-Dec-2023 05:17:14 JST that one JNL

   The institutional church has something to share re: this "how dare these university presidents/I'm taking my donation away" fake fight, and it's this: the only way out is to know who you are enough to let the donation walk.

   You will be utterly at the mercy of the tempers, feelings, grandstanding and reactivity of those you let control you with their dollars.

   The hardest thing to get about this: it's not about money. And it's not about content. It's about power.

   #academia

   • Aral Balkan repeated this.
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     that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)'s status on Thursday, 14-Dec-2023 05:18:06 JST that one JNL

     in reply to

     This #MIT /Penn "antisemitism" dustup is a fake fight.

     But the wrestling for power behind it is very, VERY real.

     And the only way out is to know who you are as an institution--to DECIDE it, right now, sourcing from the best that you have seen, the deepest truths of what you are trying to be together, the future you are not willing to lose--AND THEN SAY THE GRACIOUS NO.

     Hold the line, quietly defend your presidents, and recenter your mission again and again.

     Let it walk, or lose what matters.

     Aral Balkan repeated this.
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     that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)'s status on Thursday, 14-Dec-2023 05:18:27 JST that one JNL

     in reply to

     "But people are watching."

     Oh, you bet they are.

     Including those who are learning that the way to deal with fear and hurt feelings and ruffled feathers is to take the ball and go home. This situation is the crucible that forms your next opponent.

     And you get to tell that next person, now, what they can expect from you then.

     Is your institution, now and going forward, for sale?

     Aral Balkan repeated this.
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     that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)'s status on Thursday, 14-Dec-2023 05:19:34 JST that one JNL

     in reply to

     What's fascinating here is that none of the institutions involved need these donations. They are, as has been amply pointed out across the previous decade, essentially hedge funds with classrooms attached in terms of endowment size and sufficiency relative to stated mission.

     NOTHING EXISTENTIAL IS AT STAKE HERE.

     Except for literally everything.

     Aral Balkan repeated this.
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     that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)'s status on Thursday, 14-Dec-2023 05:19:40 JST that one JNL

     in reply to

     And in case this isn't clear, let's make it so: this isn't a JEWISH fight anymore than needing to access medical care and use the bathroom safely is a TRANS issue or a WOMEN'S situation.

     The content is a distraction.
     The content is a distraction.
     The content is a distraction.

     This is about power, both expanding it as far as possible for one vision (winner takes all and crony capitalism, basically), and also about minimizing threats (liberal institutions etc) that exist for an opposing vision.

     Aral Balkan repeated this.
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     that one JNL (jordinn@zirk.us)'s status on Thursday, 14-Dec-2023 05:20:21 JST that one JNL

     in reply to

     The progressive church deals with this situation ALL THE TIME.

     And certainly, there can be something other than "us," "them," and a demilitarized zone in between. It is possible with some donors and in some moments to do some "donor education," and to help people understand that giving really does ask a certain selflessness; it's faith-forward toward the future.

     This kind of transformative dialogue requires openness and skin in the game, though. Sometimes it's just not there.

     "No" is love.

   • Embed this notice
     Aral Balkan (aral@mastodon.ar.al)'s status on Thursday, 14-Dec-2023 05:20:57 JST Aral Balkan

     in reply to

     @jordinn 💕