Ibram X Kendi, Scandal surrounding mishandling of $43 million at the Center for Anti-Racist Research at Boston University. Sarah and Meghan discuss Ibram X Kendi's scandal of mishandling millions of dollars at his Center for Anti-Racist Research. They question the responsibility of the enablers who blindly funded him. They then debate the societal implications of marriage and dissect conservative talking points adopted by liberals. The hosts also explore the unintentional consequences of the sexual revolution and the decline in women's happiness.
Marriage is being reevaluated as a foundation for happiness and stability in life.
The consequences of the sexual revolution have led to increased loneliness and delayed adulthood.
Challenges of modernity, such as extended education and delayed parenthood, impact relationships and family dynamics.
Deep dives
The Changing Perception of Marriage
The perception of marriage has shifted over the years from being seen as a cornerstone of adult life to a capstone achieved later in life. This change in perspective has resulted in delayed marriages and an emphasis on personal achievements and goals before settling down. However, there is now a growing recognition of the importance of marriage as a foundation for happiness and stability in life.
The Consequences of the Sexual Revolution
The consequences of the sexual revolution, which began in the 1960s, are being reckoned with today. The emphasis on individual freedom and non-traditional family structures has led to increased loneliness, isolation, and delayed adulthood for many. The rise of social media has also played a role in this, contributing to feelings of alienation and disconnection. As a result, there is a growing discussion about the value of traditional marriage and the nuclear family.
The Role of Luck and Standards in Relationships
The way individuals view marriage and relationships often involves luck and personal standards. Many people, especially those in higher income and education levels, have higher standards for their partners and are less willing to settle. This can contribute to delayed marriages and an increasing challenge in finding suitable partners. It is important to rethink societal norms and expectations surrounding marriage and parenthood to create a more balanced and fulfilling approach to relationships.
Marriage and Happiness
The podcast episode explores the relationship between marriage and happiness. It discusses different viewpoints, including the idea that marriage is essential for happiness and the argument that marriage only benefits those who are already privileged and stable. The speaker highlights the need for a nuanced conversation that acknowledges both perspectives and recognizes that not everyone should feel obligated to get married.
The Challenge of Modernity
The podcast examines the challenges of modernity, particularly the impact on relationships and family dynamics. It delves into how societal changes, such as extended educational pursuits and delayed parenthood, have disrupted traditional social institutions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues in a responsible and comprehensive way, to prevent the dominance of negative narratives and to reclaim the conversation from online trolls.
In this episode, Sarah and Meghan do their podcasterly duties and discuss the scandal (or is it merely a juicy nothingburger?) surrounding Ibram X Kendi’s mishandling of the more than $43 million that poured into his Center for Anti-Racist Research at Boston University. After getting high on schadenfreude fumes, they ultimately decide it’s not Kendi’s fault but the well-meaning (mostly white) enablers who threw money at him because, well, he was there — and apparently a genius.
The womynx then move on to the topic on every commenter’s lips this week: Marriage and whether it’s good for society or simply another tool of the imperialist white supremacist capitalist, heternormative, homosapiast, Taylor Swiftian, Basic Bitchin’ patriarchy.
Arguing for the “good for society” side are people like David Brooks, who recently added to his arsenal of pro-marriage data by citing a paper by Sam Peltzman of the University of Chicago Business School showing that married people are happier. Arguing for the “shut up conservatives; it’s not that simple” side is Rebecca Traister of New York Magazine, who is concerned that nice liberal elites are becoming trad-curious and playing into the hands of Republicans and their anti-woman agenda. Who is correct? We are, of course!
