This is an important contribution, Aaron, to the understanding of human interaction not just at a US campus but in the greater society itself. The US remains a very difficult microcosm. Only recently, I read that China, where I taught Chemistry for four years until last year, was criticising America for its ill-treatment of African-Americans. Never mind that just a few weeks ago a crowd of Chinese was protesting the growing number of African students at the universities there.

In the meantime, America remains too far behind the world on the issue of equality in spite of the idealistic recognition that “all men are created equal.” The heavy dependence on the divisive categorisation of humans as belonging to different races is extremely regressive. In looking at America and its troubles today, I have to regret that its conduct as a society is certainly not what one should expect. Too many countries, clearly, are gaining a sense of moral superiority because America, in 2015, is still begrudging its citizens their natural birthright. Personally, I believe Martin Luther King Jr would be starting from the beginning if he were to see the the state of the union today.

In spite of these challenges, Jonathan Holloway has distinguished himself as a pragmatic and progressive scholar. I hope his modus operandi is a lesson for the President of Yale.

Best wishes!