Letter: Light rail falsehoods
(03/20/19 4:39pm)
To the Editor:
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To the Editor:
In a column published in the The Chronicle on 24 September 2018 and reprinted on 26 September, Eladio Bobadilla attacked the Center for the History of Political Economy at Duke University in a completely irresponsible manner. Using the tactics of innuendo and guilt by association reminiscent of the McCarthy era, he seeks to associate the faculty and fellows of the Center with the despicable forces of bigotry and white supremacy. These scurrilous insinuations would be laughable if they were not so vile. It is hypocritical to group the Center among those for whom “history and truth are reduced to whatever the powerful say they are” when Mr. Bobadilla has himself shown no respect for the truth and has not bothered with the due diligence that one might expect from a professional historian of checking the facts and gathering evidence for his assertions – for example, by visiting the Center and talking to its faculty and fellows and learning something about what they are and what they do. As the senior members of the Center, we are happy for the opportunity to put the facts on the table.
I have read the "flyer" for Monday's "Shut Up and Teach" panel discussion, with its reference to Joseph McCarthy, suggesting that dark forces are trying to silence some politically minded Duke faculty.
Several weeks ago The Chronicle reported that, "In his annual state of Arts and Sciences' address, [Dean of Arts and Sciences William] Chafe stressed the need to develop a broader definition of diversity. He said although racial diversity in the undergraduate population will not be significantly altered, the University is working to increase faculty diversity, student economic diversity and diversity in its course offerings."
With respect to your editorial of Jan. 16, on course evaluations, I support your desire to have an open evaluation process for courses. I do, though, think that you are confused about the argument in favor of this procedure.
Regarding Leslie Deak's letter in the April 22 edition of The Chronicle castigating the university for not wanting a Triangle Transit Authority stop at the Medical Center on Erwin Road, she should get her facts straight before writing letters.