Fallen idols

My first career was in non-profit fundraising. I fell into the work, not really choosing it. While some aspects, like writing and research, were natural for me, dealing with donors was not. As more of the fallout of the Epstein files takes place, I’m glad I worked at smaller institutions (ones he wouldn’t have found compelling enough).

I did unsubscribe to the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University email list last week, feeling disturbed about his connection to Epstein. While I hadn’t been to the center in some time, I had enjoyed viewing their shows in the past and visiting their gift shop. I actually spotted John Waters in their cafe about eight or nine years ago, but didn’t want to bother him as he drank his coffee and stared at his phone (I felt the one gift I could give him as a longtime fan was leaving him alone). Now I feel somewhat complicit in visiting.

Just as Civil War generals statues and slave trader monuments were taken down in his first term, it appears that many naming rights at universities will probably be removed sooner rather than later. I suppose we can give him some credit in unknowingly shining a light on so many elites misdeeds.