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Departure Of Harvard’s Claudine Gay Plays Into Campus Culture Wars

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12 months ago

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Conservatives who have objected to Claudine Gay’s appointment as president of Harvard University on ideological grounds have hailed her resignation as a high-profile win.

Although plagiarism allegations in her PhD thesis played a role in her departure from Harvard’s top job, her departure is more than just an academic dishonesty controversy.

In December, Dr. Gay came under fire for her participation in a congressional hearing panel on antisemitism on college campuses. The panellists’ lacklustre, bureaucratic responses to calls for Jewish annihilation, including Dr Gay, spurred University of Pennsylvania president Liz Magill to quit.

After that incident, Harvard pledged its support for Dr. Gay’s presidency. But the fight was far from done.

gay

Departure Of Harvard’s Claudine Gay Plays Into Campus Culture Wars

Dr Gay, who is black, epitomizes much of what her right-wing critics despise about current American higher education, which they see as being driven by a left-wing philosophy that prioritizes ethnic and gender diversity over intellectual rigour.

“It was a thinly veiled exercise in race and gender when they selected Claudine Gay,” Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, a Harvard graduate, remarked on social media after she resigned.

Bret Stephens, a New York Times columnist, blasted the “social justice model of higher education,” citing Dr Gay’s comparatively modest academic record, which includes no published books and 11 journal articles.

He warned that what he called the “intellectual rot” in American institutions of higher learning “won’t stop spreading until universities return to the idea that their central purpose is to identify and nurture and liberate the best minds, not to engineer social utopias”.

gay

Departure Of Harvard’s Claudine Gay Plays Into Campus Culture Wars

Christopher Rufo, a right-wing activist best known for the cultural war over supposed Critical Race Theory teaching in US schools, made the plagiarism charges that led to Dr Gay’s resignation.

Mr Rufo sketched out a now-familiar tactic for conservatives attempting to generate attention to subjects they believe the mainstream media is avoiding in a December social media post.

“We launched the Claudine Gay plagiarism story from the right,” Mr. Rufo wrote in a letter. “The next step is to smuggle it into the left’s media apparatus, legitimizing the narrative to center-left actors with the power to destabilize her.” After that, squeeze.”

Mr Rufo’s efforts were bolstered by the New York Post and the Washington Free Beacon, which reported details of a fresh anonymous complaint filed with Harvard on Monday, which included additional proof of suspected plagiarism in Dr Gay’s published work.

Dr. Gay stated in her resignation letter that she had been “subjected to personal attacks and threats fuelled by racial animus,” and that the last few weeks had demonstrated that more must be done to “combat bias and hate in all its forms.”

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Others on the left echoed this attitude, albeit with more focused rage.

“So what we’ve learned is this: Bad-faith bigots pretending they’re concerned about antisemitism will happily use women of colour – especially black women – as a scapegoat and lightning rod for large systemic issues,” Celeste Ng, a writer, posted on social media. “And that people invested in maintaining those systemic issues will comply.”

Dr. Gay’s retirement brought the current Harvard debate to a close, but the greater conservative movement to undermine – and eventually supersede – liberal-dominated institutions of higher learning continues.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis, a current Republican presidential candidate, overhauled the administration of the New College of Florida, cancelling its diversity and inclusion programs, sacking faculty members, and placing right-wing extremists on its board of trustees, including Mr Rufo. He aims to provide a conservative alternative to the current liberal arts college.

Donald Trump has advocated for reforms in how US institutions are recognized as part of his “Agenda 47” plan for a second term in office, emphasizing “defending the American tradition and Western civilization.” He has also promised to remove equality programs, push universities to cut overhead costs and tax noncompliant schools’ endowments.

Harvard may eventually replace Dr. Gay with someone who shares his intellectual and political views and who continues to advocate for methods to diversify Harvard’s student body.

Conservatives have won a significant win by removing the president of one of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, the one involved in the Supreme Court battle over racial considerations in admissions earlier this year.

SOURCE – (BBC)

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Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics.

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Sonic the Hedgehog Dominates Christmas Wish Lists

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2 days ago

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2024-12-21

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Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog Merchandise are hot Christmas Items

Sonic the Hedgehog is dominating Christmas wish lists this year. The lovable blue hedgehog is back in the spotlight, from sonic the hedgehog toys and games to sonic the hedgehog coloring pages and movie hype.

Sonic-themed holiday merchandise is on fire, from quirky sweaters to action figures flying off shelves. Sonic the Hedgehog Christmas outfits for kids are selling out fast, making them a go-to gift option for festive fun.

Retailers have been quick to recognize Sonic’s holiday appeal. Special promotions and exclusive items, like the Sonic holiday t-shirts, are everywhere.

Everyone’s stocking up on Sonic merchandise, from big-box stores to boutique retailers.

Online shopping platforms are seeing a surge in searches for Sonic items. Whether it’s Sonic Christmas-themed tops or Sonic the Hedgehog coloring pages, Sonic the Hedgehog toys or Sonic and the Hedgehog 3, the demand is skyrocketing.

Retailers who tap into this trend are sure to see strong holiday sales.

Sonic has been around since the early 90s, but his popularity never wanes. With the release of Sonic 3, fans are more excited than ever.

sonic the hedgehog 4

Sonic the Hedgehog 4

Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures is preparing “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” with the newest addition in the family-friendly genre set for a spring 2027 release.

The announcement comes as “Sonic 3” opens in theatres on Friday, estimated to gross $55 million to $60 million from 3,800 North American locations.

The sequel is shaping up to be a good holiday season blockbuster for Paramount, which explains the desire in future “Sonic” adventures. On the international front, the film will be released on Christmas Day in 52 markets.

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave “Sonic 3” an outstanding 87% fresh score.

The first two films grossed a total of $725.2 million at the global box office and generated over $180 million in global consumer expenditure through home entertainment rentals and digital purchases.

They also inspired a spinoff Paramount+ series, “Knuckles,” which premiered earlier this year.

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Amazon Strike Called By Teamsters Union 10,000 Walkout

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3 days ago

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2024-12-20

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Amazon Strike Called By Teamsters Union
Teamsters members were demonstrating at "hundreds" of other Amazon locations.

An Amazon strike has hit facilities in the United States in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the corporation for a labour agreement during a peak shopping season.

The Teamsters union told the Associated Press that Amazon delivery drivers at seven facilities in the United States walked off the job on Thursday after the firm failed to discuss a labour contract.

According to the union, Amazon employees in Teamsters union jackets were protesting at “hundreds” of additional Amazon facilities, which the union billed as the “largest strike” in US history involving the company.

The corporation, which employs over 800,000 people in its US delivery network, stated that its services will be unaffected.

It was unclear how many people, including members of Germany’s United Services Union, participated in Thursday’s demonstration. The Teamsters union reported that thousands of Amazon employees were implicated in the United States.

Amazon Strike at 10 Locations

Overall, the group claims to represent “nearly 10,000” Amazon strikers, having signed up thousands of people at roughly ten locations across the country, many of whom have joined in recent months.

The organization has claimed recognition from Amazon going on strike, claiming the firm illegally neglected its obligation to bargain collectively over salary and working conditions.

The Teamsters is a long-standing US union with nearly one million members. It is well-known for securing lucrative contracts for its members at companies like delivery behemoth UPS.

Most of the Teamsters’ Amazon campaigns have concerned drivers working for third-party delivery companies that partner with the tech behemoth.

Amazon denies that it is liable as an employer in those circumstances, which is a point of legal contention. In at least one case, labour officials have taken a preliminary stance in favour of the union.

Stalled Contract Negotiations

Amazon employees at a major warehouse on Staten Island in New York have also chosen to join the Teamsters. Their warehouse is the only Amazon facility in the United States where labour officials have formally recognized a union win.

However, the Amazon strike is because contract negotiations have not progressed since the 2022 vote. It was not one of the areas scheduled to go on strike on Thursday.

Amazon, one of the largest employers in the United States, has long received criticism for its working conditions and has been the target of activists seeking to gain traction among its employees.

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Amazon Encounters Numerous Strikes As Unions Aim At The Holiday Shopping Surge.

Published

4 days ago

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2024-12-19

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Amazon

(VOR News) – Thousands of Amazon employees at various sites across the country were scheduled to go on strike on Thursday in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the retail behemoth to acknowledge its unionised workers in the United States.

The walkout is expected to concentrate on seven Amazon locations across the country during the holiday purchasing surge and may be the most significant union action against Amazon in the nation’s history.

The business announced on Thursday morning that there had been no effect on operations. It also stated that it is “continuing to concentrate on fulfilling customers’ holiday orders.”

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters maintains that it represents more than 10,000 Amazon employees and contractors in aviation centres, warehouses, and delivery centres.

Amazon has refused to acknowledge the union for many years.

The retail giant, which employs approximately 1.5 million individuals, excludes contractors and part-timers. A strike has been initiated by delivery couriers and warehouse employees at seven distinct locations in order to exert pressure on the company to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that would encompass modifications to compensation, amenities, and working conditions.

Picketing was intended for New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Skokie, Illinois.

Also, the Teamsters assert that they are establishing picket lines at “hundreds” of additional warehouses and delivery centres by encouraging non-unionized workers to picket under U.S. labour law, which protects workers’ ability to take collective action to further their interests.

“Amazon workers are exercising their power,” Randy Korgan stated to NPR.

“They now realise there is a pathway to take on a corporate giant like this – and that they hold the power.” Amazon responds by accusing the Teamsters of fabricating information regarding the strikes, asserting that the participants are “entirely” outsiders rather than employees or subcontractors of the corporation.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that “the reality is that they were unable to secure sufficient support from our employees and partners and have invited external parties to harass and intimidate our team.” For more than a year, the Teamsters have been intentionally misleading the public by claiming to represent “thousands of employees and drivers.” They do not.

The Teamsters did not provide a specific duration for the strike; however, they informed NPR that it would extend beyond one day. Workers would receive $1,000 per week in strike money, as per the union.

Teamsters President Sean O’Brien issued a statement in which he stated, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can attribute it to Amazon’s insatiable greed.” We established a firm deadline for Amazon to attend the meeting and treat our members equitably. They disregarded it.

The Teamsters granted until December 15 to convene with its unionised employees and develop a collective bargaining agreement.

Amazon has opposed all unionisation efforts in court, asserting that unions were not advantageous to its employees and emphasising the compensation and benefits that the organisation currently provides.

Amazon has been accused of discriminatory labour practices on numerous occasions, including the termination of labour organisers. Furthermore, it has disputed its official status as a contract employer.

Teamsters organize Amazon delivery couriers and other employees.

In June, Amazon established its first unionised warehouse in Staten Island, New York, two years after making history by voting to join the fledgling Amazon Labour Union, which is also affiliated with the Teamsters.

The union is one of the most influential in the United States and Canada, with 1.3 million members. On Thursday, the German United Services Union declared that Amazon employees in Germany would participate in a strike in conjunction with their American counterparts.

In the past, Amazon has experienced demonstrations in Germany and Spain that were related to the holiday season in order to advocate for improved wages and working conditions.

“The holiday season has arrived.” Delivery is anticipated. Patricia Campos-Medina, the executive director of Cornell University’s Worker Institute, asserts that “this is the moment in which workers have control over the supply chain.”

The Teamsters have reported that Amazon’s profits have increased both during and after the pandemic. The corporation is currently valued at over $2.3 trillion, with net income of $15 billion in the most recent quarter alone. It is the second-largest private employer in the United States, following Walmart.

SOURCE: NPR

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