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Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - BostonCard - 06-12-2017
https://www.abbevilleinstitute.org/blog/should-stanford-university-change-its-name/
This was meant to be an ironic article arguing satirizing the political correctness that seeks to remove monuments and commemoration of people who engaged or supported unacceptable (by today's standards) policies or behavior (such as slavery, for example).
Quote:Finally, if Stanfords racism is an insufficient reason to justify removing his name from the eponymous university, politically correct zealots may wish to investigate the corruption and bribery that enable him, and his three partners, to advance the interests of the Central and Southern Pacific railroads but thats another story, and a good one.
Of course, since Leland Stanford Jr. University was named after Leland Stanford's deceased son, and not the governor, then the whole premise of the satire is mistaken, and any arguments that Stanford should rename, whether real or imagined, are moot.
BC
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - Goose - 06-12-2017
(06-12-2017, 02:39 PM)Boston Card link Wrote:https://www.abbevilleinstitute.org/blog/should-stanford-university-change-its-name/Well, maybe not any arguments. Leland Stanford Jr. had some of his own issues, depending on who you believe. However, since his parents named the University, I don't see how anybody can argue it should be re-named. But in today's PC world, nothing would surprise me. It is even more true than ever that
Of course, since Leland Stanford Jr. University was named after Leland Stanford's deceased son, and not the governor, then the whole premise of the satire is mistaken, and any arguments that Stanford should rename, whether real or imagined, are moot.
BC
Quote:The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - fullmetal - 06-12-2017
The institution that bears Stanford's name is one that encourages critical thought and the pursuit of social justice. If Leland Stanford was regressive or racist in his beliefs, his legacy is a university and student body that values diversity and equality across the human condition and experience.Â
The Stanford legacy has followed the moral arc of history toward justice, and I don't think the same can be said of other institutions bearing the names of those who advocated for slavery in a vociferous or tangible nature.Â
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - BostonCard - 06-12-2017
(06-12-2017, 03:06 PM)Goose link Wrote:[quote author=Boston Card link=topic=16972.msg194703#msg194703 date=1497303553]Well, maybe not any arguments. Leland Stanford Jr. had some of his own issues, depending on who you believe. However, since his parents named the University, I don't see how anybody can argue it should be re-named. But in today's PC world, nothing would surprise me. It is even more true than ever that
https://www.abbevilleinstitute.org/blog/should-stanford-university-change-its-name/
Of course, since Leland Stanford Jr. University was named after Leland Stanford's deceased son, and not the governor, then the whole premise of the satire is mistaken, and any arguments that Stanford should rename, whether real or imagined, are moot.
BC
Quote:The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.[/quote]
I'd be curious to hear what "issues" the 15 years old had before he died.
BC
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - Hulk01 - 06-12-2017
The issues most likely to occupy a boy of 15 would be the latest Playboys.Â
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - BostonCard - 06-12-2017
Sadly, Leland Stanford Jr. would have had to have lived almost 70 years longer for Playboy to become available, at which point he would have been almost 85.
BC
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - Phogge - 06-12-2017
To satisfy the anti fascists I'd name it H. Bruce Franklin Institute.
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - Goose - 06-12-2017
(06-12-2017, 03:38 PM)Boston Card link Wrote:I'd be curious to hear what "issues" the 15 years old had before he died.Although there are plenty of reasons to doubt it, there have always been some rumors that Leland Stanford Jr. did not die of typhoid (or tuberculosis), but rather from complications of treatment for venereal disease. One argument given in support of the idea it wasn't typhoid is that since he was supposedly with his parents, why didn't they also get the disease? Conspiracy theorists come up with the strangest things, but it is out there.
BC
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - Snorlax94 - 06-12-2017
I think Stanford is quite immune to this desperate and kind-of-pathetic article, even if it was intended as satire.
First, as others have mentioned, Stanford is named after Leland Stanford Jr. As a father, I think it's so impressive and touching that Leland Jr's parents would name the university after their child who passed away at a young age. It is a reminder that the university was founded out of a tremendous act of loss and love, from a very noble motive.
Second, fortunately, Stanford doesn't engage in the strange and sad dead-person-tradition worship that I see at other places, including many southern and east coast institutions. We don't have as many statues and busts of former rich old patrons and alums of the university -- the main sculptures I can think of are Rodins. The only thing I can think of that pays tribute to the Stanfords is their mausoleum, which is the site of a great Halloween party. And if you ever saw the party that occurs at their mausoleum, you'd know how worshipful the Stanford students are.
Third, I think the great thing about Stanford is that if new information came to light, the community by-and-large would have the guts, intelligence, and open-mindedness to re-evaluate *any* tradition -- even its name(!)Â Fortunately for us, there's no merit in this instance. But I think it's incredibly liberating to think that the university would be willing to do so, if strong enough new information came to light, and I think it's one of the problems in America that I think so many other institutions would not be able to do so.
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - CTcard - 06-12-2017
(06-12-2017, 06:35 PM)Snorlax94 link Wrote:I think Stanford is quite immune to this desperate and kind-of-pathetic article, even if was intended as satire.
... Third, I think the great thing about Stanford is that if new information came to light, the community by-and-large would have the guts, intelligence, and open-mindedness to re-evaluate *any* tradition -- even its name(!)Â
Well, I wouldn't quite call this article satire, though it clearly wasn't really about Stanford.
Stanford as an institution hasn't always been so open-minded about it's name and namesade (at least the father).
I think everyone at Stanford has always known Leland Sr. had his ... issues of various sorts. When the student body chose to note that in 1975, it clearly wasn't appreciated by the administration
http://stanforddailyarchive.com/cgi-bin/stanford?a=d&d=stanford19751205-01.2.2&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------#
Quote: "I guess I would be surprised if there were no University displeasure with Robber Barons," said Robert Rosenzweig, the University's vice president for public affairs. "I think it's kind of silly, and I can't see many people taking it seriously," Rosenzweig remarked.
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - 82lsju - 06-12-2017
Not sure what if anything came from the re-naming controversy driven by the legacy of Junipero Serra
http://news.stanford.edu/2016/03/04/faculty-senate-meeting-030416/
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - PAsportsfan - 06-12-2017
Rainbow U
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - CompSci87 - 06-12-2017
Kabam University?
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - burger - 06-13-2017
Does anyone know if Leland Stanford (Sr.) actually did anything racist as governor or in some other capacity? The 19th century was a terrible time in a lot of ways, and I suspect that if you poured over most public figures' writings, you could find something offensive. Personally, I'm more concerned about what people do than what they say (recognizing that this distinction is somewhat artificial, I know).
I'm not sure if this helps Leland's case, but there was a black student in the pioneer class at Stanford. I'm not sure how long it took before other minorities were admitted. Anyone know?
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - CowboyIndian - 06-13-2017
(06-13-2017, 10:02 AM)burger link Wrote:Does anyone know if Leland Stanford (Sr.) actually did anything racist as governor or in some other capacity?Â
I believe the case could be made that he did not treat Chinese immigrant labor very well when they were building his railroad through the Sierra. On the other hand, I don't think I'd want to trade places with anyone working on that project...and not just because they're all dead.
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - jacketree - 06-13-2017
To me, certainly for those holding public office, what they do and say are essentially interchangeable. It isn't as if they are fixing potholes through their own labor.
Leland Stanford was, indeed, clearly a racist. I know, a different time. Here's part of his inaugural address as California's 8th Governor:
Delivered January 10, 1862:
Quote:While the settlement of our State is of the first importance, the character of those who shall become settlers is worthy of scarcely less consideration. To my mind it is clear, that the settlement among us of an inferior race is to be discouraged, by every legitimate means. Asia, with her numberless millions, sends to our shores the dregs of her population. Large numbers of this class are already here; and, unless we do something early to check their immigration, the question, which of the two tides of immigration, meeting upon the shores of the Pacific, shall be turned back, will be forced upon our consideration, when far more difficult than now of disposal. There can be no doubt but that the presence of numbers among us of a degraded and distinct people must exercise a deleterious influence upon the superior race, and, to a certain extent, repel desirable immigration. It will afford me great pleasure to concur with the Legislature in any constitutional action, having for its object the repression of the immigration of the Asiatic races.
The guy was pretty long-winded too. If you want to read this speech in its entirety:
http://governors.library.ca.gov/addresses/08-Stanford.html
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - BostonCard - 06-13-2017
(06-13-2017, 10:02 AM)burger link Wrote:Does anyone know if Leland Stanford (Sr.) actually did anything racist as governor or in some other capacity? The 19th century was a terrible time in a lot of ways, and I suspect that if you poured over most public figures' writings, you could find something offensive. Personally, I'm more concerned about what people do than what they say (recognizing that this distinction is somewhat artificial, I know).
I'm not sure if this helps Leland's case, but there was a black student in the pioneer class at Stanford. I'm not sure how long it took before other minorities were admitted. Anyone know?
The piece was completely ironic. If you read about the Abbeville Institute, you will find that its mission is:
Quote:to preserve and present what is true and valuable in the Southern tradition. The fellowship has grown to over 170 scholars and associates. Among other activities, the Institute has conducted annual summer schools for college and graduate students, conferences for academics, and educational programs for the public.
I don't want to get sidetracked into a discussion of the merits and drawbacks of "preserving the Southern tradition" as the Abbeville institute does, but for their purposes, this article is either a gentle satire of people who advocate the removal of symbols, monuments, and commemorations of the "Souther Tradition" or a case of whataboutism. The problem, as I mentioned, is of course that the school is not named after père Stanford... but I do think it is healthy that we are engaging in an open debate about Leland Stanford's full legacy, both good and bad, even though he is not the namesake of our University.
BC
Re: Today in mistaken premises for dumb articles - slide - 06-13-2017
BC -- on "Souther Traditions," as long as you spare good bourbon, cheese grits and Athens music scene, I'm with you.
Southern contributions that keep on giving - Redrum - 06-13-2017
Captured German rocket guys?
Re: Southern contributions that keep on giving - dabigv13 - 06-13-2017
(06-13-2017, 08:28 PM)Redrum link Wrote:Captured German rocket guys?
See, it's posts like these that necessitate us getting that +1 system back.
Also, Redrum definitely makes the best use of the Subject line in his replies of all the posters on the board.