The Modern Leftist's Association
The Modern Language Association is an organization supposedly all about promoting "the study and teaching of language and literature." According to a Boston Globe story by Scott Jaschik, it seems they're much busier promoting the idea of America as The Evil Empire. At their recent convention in San Diego, English professor after English professor weighed in on "American imperialism":
Anthony Dawahare of California State University at Northridge said that "whoever wins the war in Iraq, the working class people in Iraq and in the US will be subject to a dictatorship of the rich." In an interview, he said that unless Howard Dean challenged capitalism itself, student activism on his behalf would be "a waste of time."
Hmm, being subjected to "a dictatorship of the rich" (A wide-screen TV in every living room?) sounds a lot better than being subjected to a dictatorship of a guy who regularly tosses 400 citizens' dead bodies in a ravine. How about we drop-kick this guy into Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia and see if he starts missing democracy a little?
(via Reason's blog)
"Our next speaker is from California State University at Northridge"
That would've been my cue to take a bathroom break.
What is it with English professors hyperventilating about imperialism? A year or so ago, I slept with a Shakespeare scholar who had once read an issue of The Nation, and it apparently gave him all sorts of new ideas. Big mistake.
Lena at January 8, 2004 10:34 AM