Academics of the Right Sort

Apologies for the blog delay, it's been a busy few weeks with a TAing assignment switch a few weeks into the semester and working on a paper revision. But enough excuses (though it will be short, it's close to my bedtime).


As I've worked on a paper and led a discussion section earlier today, I was thinking about that citation from Science and Health where Mary Baker Eddy writes: "Academics of the right sort are requisite. Observation, invention, study, and original thought are expansive and should promote growth of mortal mind out of itself, out of all that is mortal." If that isn't a higher mission statement for what we're doing here, then I don't know what is. It reminds me that my job isn't to impart wisdom, to write prolifically, or to earn praise. Its to observe, study, invent, and think that which is progressive, and turns away from old thought models. Thats a standard I can continue to hold myself to, and that I can look for and encourage in my students and colleagues.

Coexisting in Glorified Quality

At the end of January, the Yale Daily News ran a story with the headline: "Misogyny claim leveled at Frat. Since then, YDN has run a series of articles and opinion pieces reporting similar incidents of harassment and misogyny on the Yale campus (for example) For many, the important question is how to move forward from these events. The Women's Center has pursued the possibility of a harassment suit. The Fraternity has issued an apology. The Graduate School sent out an email inviting members of the Graduate School community to participate in a series of panel discussions on the subject of hate.

As I read the articles and heard friends discuss what has gone on, it is so clear that right human footsteps will ameliorate the situation, but more is needed for genuine healing. Rather than human opinions and self-justification, there is a need for pure divine Love. Rather than ignoring the problem or willing it to go away, we need to pro-actively acknowledge the law of harmony, holding every single divine idea in right relationship to one another, in one accord. As Christian Scientists, we can respond not with a sense of equality based on anatomy and gender construction, but equality based on the divine rights of man-- the male and female of expressed in every idea, in complete balance.

As usual, Mary Baker Eddy's writings shed a divine light on this issue: "Man and woman as coexistent and eternal with God forever reflect, in glorified quality, the infinite Father-Mother God." (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures 516:18) This is the standard for tolerance, respect, and healing.