From: brehkopf-AT-nexus.yorku.ca Date: Wed, 31 Jul 1996 01:04:39 -0400 Subject: Re: Human Rights / Foucault Dear Koray, I am touched by your desire to communicate this tragedy to the list of readers of Foucault. I, too, have a number of hopes for the Turkish protesters. And, given Foucault's own commitments, I think you are correct in reaching out to this list as a preliminary source of support and solidarity. Your plea, and the apparent lack of response from myself and my fellow list members does make a few things quite apparent, though. I mention this only because you and this plea have hit a particularly sensitive nerve of my own, owing to recent events. It is that while academics/intellectuals do owe something in the way of sensitivity, caring, concern, etc., we/they cannot be expected to bear the brunt of all inequities and injustices. Please, give us this, at least. Many of us really do have tremendous concern for many and/or all of those who face such injustices and inequities. Yes, we all ought to do more. But let us not suppose that what we do is confined to this medium. The mere fact that there was not an outpouring of sadness and/or outrage at the injustices does not translate into a lack of concern. Yet at the same time, I know that you were not suggesting this is the case. We are all doing what we can, I guess. This is one medium, and, truth be told, not a very effective medium for effecting action. Perhaps the fact that postings seething with our collective and individual outrage did not materialize ought not to be taken merely as an indication of our collective and individual apathy -- which is not to say that doesn't exist -- but perhaps it points to the inefficacious clout of this medium as an institution of its own, despite the claims of those who would try to convince us all of its vast and insipid power. I know that you were trying to do what you felt you could. But a few hacks and a few less intellectuals are not going to stop a hunger strike with our/their hollow-warning words. I have no doubt about the eventual importance of this medium, but I do doubt its imminent relevance to such things as hunger strikes. Those who recently died needed far more than some distant threats about the illicit use of institutional/governmental power. Yet, never the less, I encourage you to continue to make such postings. Also, while I have said the above, all the same, shame on us all for not taking a stand. Peace, Blaine Rehkopf Dept of Philosophy York University Canada --
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