Not taking sides
The bit where they said it and the bit where they took it back.
The answer seems to be:
I’m proud to have several colleagues @OU_Philosophy with skin in different gender debates. As we support all of them & to ensure fair debate, we don’t take sides from our departmental account. I removed yesterday’s tweet in support & out of respect of all my esteemed colleagues.
— Manuel Dries (@manueldries) January 1, 2021
Except that’s not how that works, is it.
This is really sad. Congratulating someone on getting an honour is not taking sides in any particular debate on which they write.
Out of respect? I think you mean out of fear. pic.twitter.com/Iebs67bwvy
— Maya Forstater (@MForstater) January 1, 2021
So you won’t celebrate the achievements of any academics who have worked with your dept then? Because there will always be other academics who disagree with them. Unnecessary & miserable, & means you can’t celebrate the achievements of any academics who disagree with Kathleen.
— Leya 🟥🟪⬜️🟩🟧 (@_Leyanelle_) January 1, 2021
You have chosen a side. The side of cowardice. No academic should be alarmed that other academics have different views to them. That is the very nature of academia.
— Andy (@lecanardnoir) January 1, 2021
I’m still pretty stoked about Prof. Stock’s award. She has provided me with some very satisfying reading, and I’m definitely an admirer. Good to see those who lend respectability to academia, philosophy, and feminism get formal recognition. :) Too bad Dr. Dries didn’t have the gumption to stick by his sentiments. I wonder if his other “esteemed colleagues” appreciate how bogus his retraction is, and how much of their “respect” is reciprocal or deserved.