I have to say that I side with Ned (and I highly recommend his poem "Leya's Ghostly Cats" in the latest issue of Measure, if you want to read about how institutions actually operate). Kim has been treated very badly, but she has tenure, so she has some protections now. I wish her well in her legal fight. I haven't decided yet which conference to attend, but coming from so far away, it is hard for me to attend both. As I have thought hard about why I attend poetry conferences, I have realized that the draw for me now is less about the faculty, panels, or invited speakers, and more about meeting my friends in the poetry world. I have loved the chance to talk with the poets I have met online and to meet other poets whose work I enjoy. Whatever I do, I do not want to cut myself off from my friends. This situation is pitting some friends against other friends. I don't wish to do anything that will make matters worse. I don't believe that most people have the ability to change much in ways that matter, so if you want to stay friends with them, you have to accept them as they are.
Susan
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