Originally Posted by
hustleplays
Dear Eternal Outlaw,
I'm tempted to go all out ad hominem on the basis of your moniker, but I won't, because ad hominem isn't kind, especially when it presumes the worst, it deflects from any central argument and it is usually off-base.
Rather than project onto me your distain of elitism, which I share, please note that I mentioned "Duke" simply because that is where Kyrie started college. If he had gone to any other school, I would have inserted that school. I happen to believe that college education is good for our brain and knowledge. Kyrie's attending any college for more than an effective semester may have compelled him to take such electives as geology and astronomy, making it more difficult to believe in a flat earth, or whatever. FWIW, I happen to be a big fan of Community Colleges.
Besides being unkind, ad hominem deflects from the central argument, which in my view is that we are facing a deadly, on-going pandemic. The scientific community is as united as it can be in asserting that masks and vaccines help reduce contagion, hospitalizations and deaths. I have no idea, really, of Kyrie's IQ or motives. But his statement undoubtedly gave more ammunition to those adamant against and/or hesitant about masking and vaccinations. What is also unfortunately true is that "walk backs," clarifications, whatever do not get the reach that the original statement does. I presume Kyrie is aware of this, and I wish that he would be more careful in the future, when peoples' health and lives are on the line.
Ad hominem often misses the mark because it usually projects a view rather than accurately describe the object of the ad hominem. As for me, I don't know whether I could have gotten into Duke as an UG. Doesn't matter to me. What I do know is that my father [who left our family struggling when I was five], and my uncle and grandfather all worked for Ford's in Dearborn MI. We were as lunch pail blue collar as they come. My mom worked two jobs as we were growing up so that she could hold the family together. Our vacations consisted of maybe several days at a nearby lake. I worked all through junior high, HS, college and grad school, worked every summer, all summer. Often two jobs at once, because I was dirt poor.
My professional earnings changed the economic situation of my own family. My two sons did go to Duke and I am proud of their accomplishments. I would have been equally proud of them going anywhere else. They both knew and know that their own experience was very different from my own. We had a pact: I would continue to be generous so long as they made the most of their experience and remained grateful and humble. They more than upheld their side of the bargain and I am deeply grateful.
I now teach at Duke and cannot stand any sign of elitism and smugness. But in fact so many Duke students do not conform to the negative stereotype. Many are gracious, grateful and not at all arrogant. As you know, many Duke students are on full scholarship and do not come from economically privileged backgrounds. And they are gifted, no doubt, just as there are gifted student everywhere. Before I came to teach at Duke, I taught at Armstrong Atlantic State U, in Savannah. [I had retired from management consulting, and wanted to see if I liked teaching. I did!] One of my greatest joys was to see how gifted some of the students were. I let them know that they shouldn't underestimate their abilities and their prospects. I shared some of my story. I encouraged them to not let their own background and lack of "elite credentials" constrain their vision and goals. My mission is to help us all become the best version of ourselves, and that does not include arrogance, elitism and unkindness.
My kindness extends to you, Eternal Outlaw, and I hope that it is mutual. I wish you the best!
hustleplays