Just to be clear, Naomi and all, I think that first letter was circulated well before this whole thing spiralled out of control. I decided not to sign it because, although sympathetic with its thrust, I did not agree with some of its specific points, and because by the time it went around the associate editors at Hypatia had already responded and I felt the debate had moved on. But I think there were perfectly good reasons to sign the first letter. At this point, though, enough already. I also agree with Camisha that this new letter is offensive on various fronts including for its erasure of race. But even a better 'counterletter' would have been ill-conceived at this point. I agree with Naomi and Camisha both that there are multiple good reasons not to put one's name on this letter. Rebecca On Sun, May 28, 2017 at 2:25 PM, Naomi Scheman <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > I appreciate Rebecca's post, especially the call to work on the issues > rather than "metametametacritiques," but, as a committed second-wave > feminist and former president of my university's AAUP chapter, I want to > make it clear that there is nothing contradictory about my also having > signed the original open letter, despite the claims in this one. I don't > know how many of the signatories to this letter actually read the original > one, still less the continuing discussion around it: had they done so, it > should have been obvious just how off-base this letter is. > > For a start, every effort has been made by the critics to take the focus > off of Rebecca Tuvel and place it where it belongs--on the profession of > philosophy and on what those of us who have loved, nurtured, relied on, and > been proud of *Hypatia *see as a lamentable and hopefully correctable > lapse in editorial judgment. And, crucially, the problem is NOT with the > conclusions Tuvel argues for, nor with her right to make, or *Hypatia* to > publish, arguments for those or any other conclusions. The problem--as has > been made clearly over and over again--is with the failure of the article > to substantially engage, and, crucially, the failure of the review process > to call for substantially engaging, with the work of trans theorists, of > critical race theorists, and of Black feminists, all of whom have written > extensively on the topics of the article in ways that Tuvel is completely > free to disagree with but not to ignore. It is symptomatic of the > marginalization of such voices in the profession that such ignorance is > passed over rather than being treated in the same way as any other failure > to engage with the work of those most knowledgeable about and theoretically > sophisticated in the area in which one is writing. > > The point is NOT to demand ideological conformity nor to suggest, as was, > for example, misleadingly reported in *The New York Times*, that only > members of marginalized groups can write about those groups: the relevant > slogan is not "nothing about us except by us" or "nothing about us we don't > like"--it's "nothing about us *without* us." The call is for inclusion, > for respect, for intellectual humility, for more--not less--critical > thinking and writing. It's for taking seriously the responsibility that > goes along with academic freedom. This open letter is a thinly veiled > attack on the work of those--many of them professionally vulnerable--who > are challenging philosophy and the broader culture to take seriously voices > the more privileged among us (and I include myself in that group) have been > taught not to listen to, let alone to learn from. Waving the banner of > academic freedom to silence criticism and close one's ears to discomforting > voices is the height of hypocrisy, and I urge signers of this letter to > consider removing their names. > > Naomi Scheman > Professor Emerita, Philosophy and Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies > University of Minnesota > > On May 28, 2017, at 10:59 AM, Rebecca Kukla <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > So people are angry about an open letter that they felt attacked a junior > person so they thought the best solution was yet another open letter > attacking what was mostly junior people? This has to stop somewhere. And > this affair has to be allowed to die already. > > I didn't sign the first letter and I am not signing this one either. > > People need to stop trying to settle their academic and political > disagreements via open letters designed to publicly shame by ganging up on > other people. It's not even clear what action item this one is calling for. > (The article is already being published, with only tiny word changes to > bring it in line with current linguistic conventions that avoid slurs, and > the other two items are too vague to be actionable.) > > The issues in this area are super important, so let's actually work on > them, rather than devoting our productive hours to metametametacritiques. > > Rebecca > > On Sun, May 28, 2017 at 10:39 AM, Veltman, Andrea - veltmaal < > [log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> Hi all, >> >> >> Julian Vigo ([log in to unmask]) asked me to forward the following >> message to the FEAST listserv. >> >> >> Best wishes, >> >> >> Andrea >> >> >> ______________________________________ >> >> Dr. Andrea Veltman >> Associate Professor of Philosophy >> Department of Philosophy & Religion >> James Madison University >> MSC 8006 >> Harrisonburg, VA 22807 >> Office phone: 540-568-4236 >> [log in to unmask] >> >> My latest book, *Meaningful Work*, is recently published by Oxford >> University Press: >> >> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__global.oup.com_academic_product_meaningful-2Dwork-2D&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HUp8-bkYMlNgd3ZJBxWBKsBsFAFGHrEZg21p9gxugJA&m=cDY8axoJe4GPUSyuWSftJ7GgZXOzBAUaeHpPhrkeJ_Q&s=VYHD1i4pzYncanH5N0DjpRXI3C2eXJetIGokh6gbHrY&e= >> 9780190618179?cc=us&lang=en& >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__global.oup.com_academic_product_meaningful-2Dwork-2D9780190618179-3Fcc-3Dus-26lang-3Den-26&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HUp8-bkYMlNgd3ZJBxWBKsBsFAFGHrEZg21p9gxugJA&m=LOV-2yxVfBhZ6rrELChk7V70HvBgW6zEshQ0UIKg7j4&s=HYce-eGOp33z007rPm2X5TNGaDb6rEQYz0bS3UosSqI&e=> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> *From:* Julian Vigo <[log in to unmask]> >> *Sent:* Saturday, May 27, 2017 3:54 PM >> *To:* Veltman, Andrea - veltmaal >> *Subject:* open letter >> >> Dear Andrea, >> >> I am writing to ask if you could sign & share this open letter to protect >> academic freedom related to the Tuvel affair with consequences far beyond: >> >> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ipetitions.com_petition_an-2Dopen-2Dletter-2Don-2Dthe-2D&d=DwIFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HUp8-bkYMlNgd3ZJBxWBKsBsFAFGHrEZg21p9gxugJA&m=cDY8axoJe4GPUSyuWSftJ7GgZXOzBAUaeHpPhrkeJ_Q&s=WuzzkBN4CHNI2AsQCk7TDXimFL0ZoqGvrM20ZORoosA&e= >> hypatia-controversy >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ipetitions.com_petition_an-2Dopen-2Dletter-2Don-2Dthe-2Dhypatia-2Dcontroversy&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=pD1LC8iUB_9BolWVjp5mQO6Efu7JLE3SBBQChsLBQFA&e=> >> >> Your collaboration in signing and sharing this on social media, with >> colleagues and the Listserv would be creating appreciated! >> >> Warmly, >> >> Julian Vigo >> >> >> >> >> ˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚ >> ˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚˚ >> Dr. Julian Vigo, PhD, FRSA >> www.lubellule.com >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.lubellule.com_&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=lb2KP3tV7dUGoMg0KrnwvFGHaQbKDzIfW2DnaflwlMc&e=> >> >> >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__about.me_julianvigo&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=CtuY6MLWsQNiq_B2LMDT2V8kGYMrgCu6Q9MsarFeLKg&e=> >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__about.me_julianvigo&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=CtuY6MLWsQNiq_B2LMDT2V8kGYMrgCu6Q9MsarFeLKg&e=> >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__about.me_julianvigo&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=CtuY6MLWsQNiq_B2LMDT2V8kGYMrgCu6Q9MsarFeLKg&e=> >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__about.me_julianvigo&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=CtuY6MLWsQNiq_B2LMDT2V8kGYMrgCu6Q9MsarFeLKg&e=> >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__about.me_julianvigo&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=CtuY6MLWsQNiq_B2LMDT2V8kGYMrgCu6Q9MsarFeLKg&e=> >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__about.me_julianvigo&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=CtuY6MLWsQNiq_B2LMDT2V8kGYMrgCu6Q9MsarFeLKg&e=> >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__about.me_julianvigo&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=CtuY6MLWsQNiq_B2LMDT2V8kGYMrgCu6Q9MsarFeLKg&e=> >> >> >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__about.me_julianvigo&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=CtuY6MLWsQNiq_B2LMDT2V8kGYMrgCu6Q9MsarFeLKg&e=> >> linkedin >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__uk.linkedin.com_pub_julian-2Dvigo-2Dphd_18_b24_5a5&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=Brg7Suwas2mQYJTX_opKLW3fHp-Z0fjtr4S546HlciE&e=> >> aboutme >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__about.me_julianvigo&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=CtuY6MLWsQNiq_B2LMDT2V8kGYMrgCu6Q9MsarFeLKg&e=> >> twitter >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.twitter.com_lubelluledotcom&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=1tZr6fcqe5sG1BFlSuI6Jnynvj_55RCbV3YTleKhSTA&e=> >> google+ >> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__plus.google.com_u_0_114965595632445402873&d=DwMGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=D9KtTmOQsn10dtN5dPMs0Q&m=5u-tJCbUBRI5uuQg2RcQWoYD8ONgKhBApUTxxS6d4u8&s=YCmrjJh7nOwd7aieUW7wEml27zyKNbRHRCKGBIHc71s&e=> >> >> ############################ >> >> To unsubscribe from the FEAST-L list: write to: >> mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the following >> link: http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=FEAST-L&A=1 >> > > ############################ > > To unsubscribe from the FEAST-L list: write to: mailto:FEAST-L-SIGNOFF- > [log in to unmask] or click the following link: > http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=FEAST-L&A=1 > > ############################ > > To unsubscribe from the FEAST-L list: write to: mailto:FEAST-L-SIGNOFF- > [log in to unmask] or click the following link: > http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=FEAST-L&A=1 > ############################ To unsubscribe from the FEAST-L list: write to: mailto:[log in to unmask] or click the following link: http://listserv.jmu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=FEAST-L&A=1