Death of the Ayn Rand Scholar by Gray Cavender (classic literature list txt) 📕

looking down at Django, who’s seated, playing the guitar that’s resting on his lap. Grapelli is wearing an old timey suit; Django, with his pencil-thin moustache, is wearing a timeless, stylish sport coat.

A second photo is obviously a family photo; the men are dressed like Django and the women are in dresses. A young ZZ, late teens maybe, is smiling, but with intense eyes. Even if you didn’t know her, she captures your gaze. The background is an urban, European setting.

Several feet away was a photo of Simone de Beauvior. She’s maybe in her 40s, her hair is swept back, and her face is in close up…a leftish profile. She’s wearing hooped earrings and has a beautiful smile. Even her eyes are smiling.

The fourth photo is of French intellectual Pierre Bourdieu. He is seated at a desk, a microphone in front of him, and he faces the viewer if not the camera. He’s wearing a sport coat and a shirt with an open collar. His hands are steepled in front, almost as if he’s praying. As Jillian knows, the photo captures a moment from a TV broadcast, which is ironic because Bourdieu is on French television giving a lecture about television. The lecture is reproduced in his short book called On TV. They read it in ZZ’s grad seminar.

On the wall adjoining the left side of the door, another photo, essentially a DVD movie cover, depicts French feminist Louise Michel. The actress who plays Michel is kneeling on the beach. The sea, out of focus, is on her left. Above the actress, the film’s title is displayed: La Rebelle. Jillian saw the film, also in the grad seminar. Michel was deported from France to New Caledonia because she was a social activist. She was also a teacher, and founded a school that taught students about humanity and justice.

A photo to the right of the door was new to Jillian. She didn’t recognize the older-looking man depicted in it. He wore a tam, a heavy winter scarf, and a jacket. He faced the camera, and was standing in front of a storefront, which she could tell was French by the partial lettering.

“So, a new photo…who is he?”

ZZ stood and walked over to the photo, as if to introduce him to Jillian. “This is the American sociologist, Howard Becker.”

When Jillian’s expression indicated that she didn’t recognize the name, ZZ added, “He has also written about jazz piano and photography. But you may know of him either because of an earlier article he wrote called “Whose Side Are We On,” where he challenges social scientists to choose sides…either to conduct research from the perspective of elites or from that of marginalized populations.”

Jillian nodded, “I think Professor Naremore mentioned the article in his seminar on regulation.”

“Most certainly, knowing Ian. And, Becker wrote a famous book that teaches graduate students to write like humans, not like graduate students who are…” ZZ searched for a phrase…”who try to show off.”

As was the case with people for whom English is a second language, or in ZZ’s case, a third or fourth or maybe even a fifth language, conversations included pauses to search for the correct word or phrase, especially with slang or idioms.

“Right. OK, we read that book when I interned as an undergraduate Writing Mentor,” she said, and pointed behind her and down the hall toward where the Mentor office was housed. “But, why is he on your wall?”

ZZ, still standing by the photo, said, “Howie Becker is alive, living in Paris, and is very much in vogue. My generation of graduate students admired Bourdieu…” she said, pointing to his photo, “…because he freed us from Foucault. The current generation admires Becker because he’s freed them from Bourdieu. I am now intellectually passe. She returned to her desk, shrugged said, “C’est la vie,” and laughed.

“Never,” Jillian responded.

“You are too kind, Jillian. But, now, please, you must tell me about the demonstration.”

“How did you know that I was at the demonstration?”

“Two police dine in a building near the site of a campus demonstration…coincidence…no way.” She arched her eyebrows.

“Well, the first thing to say is that the counter-demonstrators outnumbered the demonstrators. And also, Professor Naremore and several others from Justice Studies were among the counter-demonstrators.”

“But, of course…Ian. Did he lead the ASU cheer? I could hear it.”

“No, I don’t think so,” she laughed, “but the cheer did diffuse a situation that could have turned bad.”

“That is a good thing, then. The demonstrators…they were making much of the murder, yes?”

Jillian nodded, and ZZ continued, “So, how is your inquiry proceeding?”

Jillian sighed, then said, “Oh, investigations are often slow and tedious, and we are in the middle of slow and tedious. Maybe some breakthrough is on the horizon, but honestly, it’s too soon to tell. So, did you know Professor Siemens?”

“Not really. We were not…birds of a feather. She was conservative, very conservative, and I am not,” she said and arched her eyebrows. “I think we have not spoken.” She thought for a moment, then said, “I would think that such a woman would have many enemies. She was, you know, very…provocative in her ideas. But, I think we have not spoken.”

“How about Professor Jonathan Keefer—he’s Chair of the English Department?”

“So, yes, I know him. Why do you ask after him?”

Jillian had some qualms about how much she should say to ZZ, but she needed information. “He and Professor Siemens were having an affair, which makes him a person of interest.”

“I am not surprised…about the affair. They are similar…ambitious…opportunistic.”

“Hmm. We’ve learned that Professor Keefer is not going to be promoted to Associate Dean. He may even be out as Chair.

“Yes, but of course.”

“You knew this?”

“Yes…universities are like small villages, Jillian…there is much gossip. I have colleagues in English and they have told me already the news. He will not be elevated to dean and he will no longer be the chair.”

“I’m impressed. Do you know who the new chair will be?”

“Most certainly. It will be Naomi del Valle. She holds