Photo by Markus Spiske
There is the old adage that we have heard that those who do not know history are bound to repeat it. Today’s Inquirer (December 13) has a banner headline which states Fear Over Donor Influence by Susan Snyder makes that point. “The deep-pocketed donor, Marc Rowan, CEO of private equity firm Apollo Global Management sent an email to the trustees at Penn titled “Moving Forward” attached a list of 18 questions, some with five parts. Among the questions he asked whether the school should look at eliminating some academic departments – though he didn’t name which ones and examine the qualifications for membership on the faculty, the boards’ criteria for the instruction of students and recommendations for degrees in courses and for faculty. The letter begins by questioning the very mission of Penn, asking whether the process for evaluating whether the university’s actions are consistent with its mission.” He was on solid ground when he refused to continue giving to Penn. It’s his money so he should do what he wants with it. I question his asking everyone to hold their financial gifts, but where he crossed the line is telling the board what to do. That’s none of his business since it comes on the heels of his threats.
Most of the Penn community and certainly the faculty went crazy. Slippery slope. Their greatest fears realized. Rowan’s arrogance and lack of a sense of boundaries strike me as someone who thinks that his money can buy him anything including Penn. Harvard told their alumnus who wanted to withdraw his funds to go take a hike. Penn’s integrity is worth more than his $50 million.
Rowan’s recent statements played into one of the most frequent antisemitic stereotypes historically and presently by white supremacists. Rowan must have missed some history classes at Penn. At least he couldn’t have taken a course in Antisemitism. “One of the stereotypes of Jews is that they have a disproportionate influence in economic matters, according to Jerome Legge of the University of Georgia. As a consequence, they are often affixed with blame by those experiencing economic difficulties.”
Jonathan Freedland in a March 9, 2019 article in the Guardian, For 2000 years we’ve linked Jews to money. It’s why antisemitism is so ingrained analyzed antisemitism in history. Freedland made a trip to the Jewish Museum in London to examine an exhibit called Jews, Money, and Myth. What he learned is that to connect Jews to money is a habit, centuries – indeed millennia – old.
“There are examples in the shape of Fagin, Dicken’s miserly Jewish pickpocket, a reminder that Jews were mocked for being both too poor and too rich, caricatured as beggars or bankers. Of course, we have Shakespeare’s Shylock who says, “I did dream of money bags tonight.” In the York Massacre of 1190, which left an estimated 150 Jews dead, thanks to mob violence stirred by one Richard de Malbis, with resentment at Jews to whom he owed money. Judas who betrayed Jesus with 30 pieces of silver is portrayed by artists down through the ages as being Jewish.
“Whatever its origins, the archetype of the avaricious Jews acquired its place in the culture on the playground insult – Jew as a symbol of stinginess.”
The greatest example is the Holocaust. Early on Hitler made the Jewish people scapegoats pulling from a history of antisemitism to make his points. It was the social democrats, communists, and Jews who were to blame for every ill in German society including their financial position.
All of this antisemitism, in its different forms, rests in our culture just waiting for white supremacy to make its unfounded claims. It is why we heard “Jews will not replace us!” at Charlottesville. Why wasn’t it something like, “The wealthy will not replace us!”, the Christian nationalists will not replace us.” The answer is clear. Down through the ages the Jewish people have been scapegoated in various evil ways. They have been an easy target! White supremacists look for any examples that will support their view. “Historically the global conspiracy theory regarding the Rothschilds were accused of being the hidden hand pulling the strings of world capitalism and its necessary corollary, imperialism.”
I have one question for Marc Rowan. You have been vocal on a daily basis in your conversations regarding antisemitism at Penn as well as your emails. You have been relentless. There is nothing bashful about you. Why did you send your spokesperson to clarify your recent email questioning everything Penn about Penn?
“Rowans spokesperson said the questions Rowan raises are areas that trustees have jurisdiction over the school’s charter. He’s saying these are questions,” the spokesman said. He’s not trying to provide answers…In no way, is it WHAT MARC WANTS at Penn…Ultimately, it’s what the trustees and the faculty want.” Really?
Me-thinks Bowen got some feedback he didn’t see coming. I am not buying this explanation or he would have made it himself. He can deliver heat such as to Bok and Magill but doesn’t seem able to take it. There will be backlash! The guy needs to take a course in the History of Antisemitism. Once again, his actions are divisive and not helpful at all for the students and faculty at Penn.
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