Cultural Freedom, Indeed
Readers of today's New York Times will note a full-page ad on page A19 that announces the winner of the 2005 "Lannan Prize for Cultural Freedom."
It is none other than Princeton professor Cornel West, who, of course, departed Harvard after Lawrence Summers questioned his scholarship, his commitment to teaching, and his political affiliations.
The
Lannan Foundation describes cultural freedom as "the right of individuals and communities to define and protect valued and diverse ways of life currently threatened by globalization." West has written extensively about what he considers the downside of globalization.
Readers of Harvard Rules will know where I stand on this matter: I thought that West, though not without imperfections, was a very impressive guy, and that none of what Summers charged him with was accurate. Moreover, I thought that Summers' handling of the situation was bizarre.
This award serves as a rebuke to Summers, who has never told the truth about the incident.
