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Candace Lucas's avatar

as a white person, i find the trump rhetoric about how whites are being discriminated against such bullshit. White people are still the top of the food chain. the fact that we now have to make room for others is really what's behind this. They simply don't want to share.

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Kathy Roeske's avatar

Especially white men.

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Doc Blase''s avatar

And the white women who support them . Let's get off the self-righteous bandwagon.

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Jean Conley's avatar

Good point, because unfortunately, there are MANY.

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Janet Wilson's avatar

With all respect, it is not really a self-righteous bandwagon. First off, white women may be supporting a white man because thanks to discrimination, that may be their best route to security on many levels.

In other words, they may not be free to make a free choice. They may be free-er than other demographics, but let's not pretend that white males have not as a group made themselves the apex of power and opportunity.

Women, even white women, still earn less for the same jobs etc.

I do think it is a particularly sad fact that ANY woman, let alone a white woman, voted for Trump and his cabal in the last election. Is it a measure of untouchable privilege, blindness, racism, even sexism, self-hatred, stupidity? Maybe a bit of all those things...

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Kathy Roeske's avatar

You don’t have to insult me. That wasn’t the point I was making. White men on both sides have always been at the top of the food chain. Women and minorities are second class citizens, and what few rights we’ve achieved are being chipped away by the right wing. I will never understand why men can tell me what to do with MY body.

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Schmendryck's avatar

As a white man, who wouldn't be called "white" by nazis, I second the call of "bullshit."

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David A Pitock's avatar

Same here bullshit on tRump.

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Nick Butcher's avatar

Agreed, it's ludicrous of them to claim "reverse discrimination" in the face of US history. As a white person, I dream of a day when other Americans (of all races and creeds) can experiences the same type of safety nets circumstance and familial connections have afforded me.

Everyone deserves support and second (or maybe even fifth) chances.

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Brodee Myers-Cooke's avatar

They are toddlers… completely out of control

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

Remember the Supreme Court's Bakke decision (1978), against affirmative action? This didn't start yesterday. It pretty much started when people of color and women in general demanded to be included in "we the people." At the same time, let's not forget that category "white" is not monolithic. Neither is category "male" and neither is any other category. Those at the top (mostly wealthy white men) have done an excellent job over the centuries of persuading the much less privileged that they're on the same side.

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Candace Lucas's avatar

they are not. People like that (and they are not necessarily wealthy) need to have someone to lord it over. The stupidest, most ignorant, ill-bred white guy feel he's entitled to be better than someone whose skin is dark, even if that guy graduated from Harvard and was, say....the President of the United States.

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Debbie's avatar

This is a beautiful piece. In this current political climate this letter gives me hope.

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Cynthia Tippett's avatar

I feel the same way. This was beautiful

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Vivian Fletcher's avatar

I agree!

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Ellen CW's avatar

Me too!

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Doc Blase''s avatar

It gives me nope.

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Lor's avatar

Tragedy to see the great institutions of learning fall under this authoritarian regime. Daily horror stories are available.

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Neil Gregory's avatar

What you are seeing in the USA today is just a replay of what like was like in Germany in the 1930s. Those who refuse to learn from history get to repeat it.

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Pat R's avatar

Or perhaps more justly feel the pain from not learning how to prevent it in the first place

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Jean Conley's avatar

Absolutely. I write that in many comments (other articles)--at least once a day!

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Theresa Carroll's avatar

Character and integrity are often at odds with one's safety, but it is worth it's weight in gold.

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Cathy Delia's avatar

The article said Jefferson believed education allowed for the experience of freedom. That is why Trump likes the uneducated. He doesn't want people to have the freedom to think for themselves.

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Jean Conley's avatar

...and those who support The Dump definitely are.

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Averill Engelhaupt's avatar

There is no good faith in this government. It is a planned takedown of the American people. We must fight or lose our democracy!!

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Gloria Sharp's avatar

Simply unbelievable what USA is permitting to happen. Join hands and plan the revolution now!

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Jean Conley's avatar

Don't forget it's the republiCRAPS under the control of The Dump. The Dump is the puppeteer, and the republiCRAPS are the puppets.

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Sharon Salzberg's avatar

We here in Charlottesville, who are closely connected to the University, as parents of an alum and participation in cultural and sports events there, are extremely distressed by the paper thin rationale for forcing the resignation of our esteemed university President . The “ Godfather”-like “or else” threat was totally unfounded. When the University was under siege by neo- Nazis, who specially targeted our tiny Jewish community, the trump response was “ There were good people on both sides”. No there weren’t. The Governor and Board of Visitors are accessories to this horrifically misguided action. Period. We will not forget this wrongful action at the ballot box in November.

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Shelle McCloskey's avatar

Well said. As a fellow Virginian, I am with you!

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jenn's avatar

Thank you, Michael Roth and all those that still act with honor, integrity, trust, and respect. By all appearances, this is the minority. We must continue to fight.

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Laura Edwards's avatar

I think education has become more a means to a better job than a means to raise the societal discourse. Those who will read and appreciate this thoughtful and cogent letter are in the minority.

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Mary Luck's avatar

I fear you right, I hope you are not.

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William MacKenzie's avatar

In response to Musk's hostility, Trump has raised the prospect that he could eliminate contracts and other benefits that the federal government gives to Musk’s companies. He's also said he might take a look at deporting Musk, who was born in South Africa and is a naturalized U.S. citizen. And he threatened to use DOGE to look into federal subsidies for Musk’s companies. Trump's personal vindictiveness, which I believe is also evident in his pressure on the president of the University of Virginia, is intolerable in a democratic government. With Trump, cruelty is the point.

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E L Nolan's avatar

When did men become so weak? Stronger gender, my ass!

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Susan OBrien's avatar

Shared wisdom is always welcome.

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Barry G. Hall's avatar

An outstanding article from someone who may very well have to face the same decision soon. I admire his courage, and that of Jim Ryan as well. No admiration for the UPenn board.

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Eileen's avatar

Thank you…beautifully expressed words that should give us hope in this painful time. We must get back to decency.

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Ronna Smith's avatar

Stop Citizens United & Corporate Welfare…redlining for starters. How do we first stop tyranny? Are we looking at decades as children are being dumbed down even further…speaking from Oklahoma!

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Mary Luck's avatar

You speak my mind.

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Jean Conley's avatar

And MILLIONS of others...........

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