[3] in Discussion of MIT-community interests
Re: LIVING WAGE SIT-IN AT HARVARD (fwd)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Zhelinrentice L Scott)
Thu Apr 19 11:22:47 2001
Message-Id: <200104190648.CAA11894@m4-167-8.mit.edu>
To: nathanw@MIT.EDU (Nathan J. Williams), mit-talk@MIT.EDU
In-Reply-To: Your message of "19 Apr 2001 02:14:10 EDT."
<mtur8yps9fx.fsf@contents-vnder-pressvre.mit.edu>
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 02:48:09 -0400
From: Zhelinrentice L Scott <zlscott@MIT.EDU>
Resent-From: jhawk@MIT.EDU
Resent-To: mit-talk-mtg@charon.MIT.EDU
Dear Nathan,
First of all, this is an email. It's not a speech. It's not a
term paper; I wrote it in a few minutes.
Second of all accusations of incorrect grammar, english, and other
such nonsense is just a smokescreen to justify the intellectual elitism that
many here at MIT subscribe to.
I will not placate you by being ashamed or humbled by your comments(vitriolic
words if you prefer). I believe that there is not enough caring in the
world, and too much working to get ahead for selfish reasons.
I completely understand the value of an education, but when that education
does not take into account the human aspects of life what is the point?
It does not take long for a student to send an email to a MIT's
president, a city councilor, Mayor, congressperson, or the President
of the US. Especially if there is an issue that needs/should be addressed,
it can be written in a few seconds or minutes.
THAT is the least students can do to let their voice be heard.
I am a business major(and a music major). I do case studies constantly.
The purpose of these case studies are to examine how information
technology can be used to increase the bottom line. Never have I
taken a course here at MIT that goes into business ethics. I have had
to rely on my Christain ubringing and the literature that I read ON TOP of
my 5-7 course class load a term to gain that understanding.
I agree with Chris B. what is the use of studying a problem that you
are being a contributor to? Not only is it hypocritical, but it is
extremely ineffective, and counterproductive.
Michael Porter, one of Harvard's most distinguished Business professors
understands the needs of the economically oppressed people in
the US. That is why he started ICIC which is a non-profit organization
dedicated to economic development in the inner city for the empowerment
of its population. You can check out their web page at www.icic.org.
Anita Roddick, founder and CEO of the Body Shop, is another example
of a business leader who understands how to make a profit AND
still respect and empower the people whose economies she effects by
her business. You should also know that she was invited on a couple
of occassions to speak at the Sloan School. I have heard her speak,
and I have read her autobiography.
Steven Covey, the bestselling author of "Seven Habits of Highly Effective
People", has spoken at MIT too. He has shared several stories of
business men in South Africa who were able to increase thier
profits by treating the communities with respect.
Harvard has a lot to gain in the long run, by putting a living wage
policy in place. I applaud the people at Harvard who
are sitting in. I believe Martin Luther King said it best, in
his Letter From a Birmingham Jail when he stated that power
is NEVER given up freely. So again, kudos to the
concerned people/activists/students/staff/faculty at Harvard
who are taking a stand for what is right and advocating for their
"blue-collar" brothers and sisters.
I will NOT be silenced,
Zhe
