Revised, and links updated May, 2012
The seven deadly sins, which are the subject of this article (The seven deadly sins, 2009) about campuses in the UK, are sartorial inelegance, procrastination, snobbery, lust, arrogance, complacency, and pedantry. THE is the Higher Education supplement for the British newspaper, The Times. The article, especially the section on lust which was written by Terence Kealey, Vice-chancellor of Buckingham University, has attracted a great deal of attention in the UK, and even beyond its borders. See some articles listed below. Kealey also wrote a response to the criticism in the Times Higher (see Terence Kealey: a response, 2009).
Although the original article (The seven deadly sins, 2009) was meant to be humourous -satirical, actually – not everyone saw it as a laughing matter, myself included. The comments following the THE articles, are an indication of how sensitive and demanding the topic of lust is in universities.
It's debatable just how light-hearted the article really is - humourous satire, or serious matters for the academy to think about? From the attention it has received in the British Press, one has to wonder where this will lead.
Two other articles on closely related subject matter that have been published in the Times Higher are ‘Sex and the University’ (2008), and ‘Sex for grades in Africa's academy’ (2010) to which I responded in ‘Sex for grades in universities,’ 2010.
For Canadian input into this subject – of lust, not humour – see the Globe and Mail’s ‘On-campus sex ban: Hands off,’ 2010).
Some of the articles have numerous comments, and I don’t see that there’s anything I can add here without turning to personal experience, so I will just leave it at that.
Buckingham University vice-chancellor defends remarks over female students
By Adam Gabbatt
guardian.co.uk
Sept 23, 2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/sep/23/university-female-students-perk
Curvey females safe for viewing, writes professor
By Husayn Marani
Western Gazette, formerly UWO Gazette
Sept 29, 2009
http://www.uwogazette.ca/2009/09/29/news-briefs-9/
http://issuu.com/uwogazette/docs/03.016_tuesday__september_29__2009
Curvy students 'perk of the job'
By Katherine Sellgren
BBC News education reporter
Sept 23, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/8270475.stm
On-campus sex ban: Hands off the student body, Prof
+ 256 comments
By Dakshana Bascaramurty
Globe and Mail
Apr 08, 2010
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/on-campus-sex-ban-hands-off-the-student-body-prof/article1528269/
Senior academic calls female students 'a perk of the job'
By Alison Kershaw, Press Association
Independent
Sept 23, 2009
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/senior-academic-calls-female-students-a-perk-of-the-job-1791904.html
The seven deadly sins of the academy
By Matthew Reisz
THE (Times Higher Education)
Sept 17, 2009
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=408135
Sex and the university
By Hannah Fearn
THE (Times Higher Education)
May 22, 2008
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=401935&encCode=986570951BC54097875JTBS737226611
Sex for grades in Africa's academy
By John Morgan
THE (Times Higher Education)
Jan 21, 2010
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=410068
Sex for grades in universities
By Sue McPherson
Sue’s Views on the News
Jan 22, 2010
http://suemcpherson.blogspot.ca/2010/01/sex-for-grades-in-universities.html
Terence Kealey: a response to criticism
By Terence Kealey
THE (Times Higher Education)
Sept 23, 2009
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=408404
19 September 2009
10 September 2009
Michael Bryant and Darcy Sheppard: divided by class
revised, and references updated, May 2012
The tragic death of Darcy Sheppard, involved in a violent incident with ex-
attorney general Michael Bryant, isn't a morality play, though I think I understand how Margaret Wente might want to see it portrayed as such. It is very class-based logic to see the event as a "cautionary tale for public figures," as though the tragedy could somehow have been avoided, and worse yet, what the consequences can be for important or wealthy people getting mixed up with those other kind of people in society.
To begin with, Michael Bryant didn't just change into a "clean suit," after the accident, before he went to the police station (see Morality play, 2009). He changed out of the t-shirt he had been wearing into the shirt and tie with suit, before being taken to the police station. This is a minor issue, but an example of the ways Wente distorts language and its significance for the public. Bryant may have wanted to change into clean clothes, but the suit was for impression management, not for spending a comfortable night in jail.
Even Jackie Kennedy didn’t change out of her bloodstained suit before getting into the airplane with her husband’s body – John F Kennedy, following his assassination on November 22, 1963, nor on board the plane (Jackie Kennedy’s Pink Suit, 2011.) It’s a matter of priorities, and one has to wonder what Bryant’s really were. Fight or flight. Keep it close; remember; or push it away. Naturally, Jackie wasn’t completely immune to the fight or flight syndrome. Her immediate reaction on having her husband shot while seated beside her in the car was to clamber over the back seat of the convertible, a momentary lapse in good judgement.
When Darcy Sheppard talked back to the driver of the car that had bumped into his bike, it wasn’t to someone wearing a suit, thus more likely to be viewed as someone middle class. Bryant was wearing a t-shirt like any other ordinary person on the street at the time of the accident. So who should take care to avoid the other. Should it be the affluent middle class couple who should be more wary of getting into difficulty and getting blamed for it, or would it be more realistic to advise the person lacking the resources to fight injustice to be more careful to avoid people who show signs of having wealth and prestige. And did Darcy Sheppard realize the danger he was in?
On Sept 1, 2009, Bryant was charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death. Witnesses, including Raajiv Rajadurai and Ryan Brazeau provided details of the street interaction between Bryant and Sheppard (Bryant charged, Sept, 2009; Death on Bloor, Dec, 2009).
The charges were withdrawn with no preliminary hearing taking place, a decision that was explained by special prosecutor Richard Peck, who stated in court, “The evidence establishes that Mr. Sheppard was the aggressor in the altercation with Mr. Bryant. He was agitated and angry, without any provocation from Mr. Bryant and his wife,” (Former Ontario AG, May, 2010).
Bryant himself is quoted as saying, “It is not a morality play about bikes versus cars, couriers versus drivers, or one about class, privilege or politics. It’s just about how in 28 seconds, everything can change” (Former Ontario AG, May, 2010). But if we remove the words “a morality play” from this sentence – Bryant’s claim – it really is about bikes versus cars, and about class, privilege and politics.
Set aside the morality problem for now. Think about what happened, and the consequences. Bryant may have been surprised – no, astounded, to see how quickly a person’s life can change, can go from a normal day out to violence, death, accusations, and practically every aspect of their life being changed forever. He says that. He has now experienced adversity, that emotionless term that is applied to such situations.
From the outside, looking at someone who is angry might appear the same as looking at someone who is experiencing fear. Without Bryant’s explanation, the behaviour could be interpreted as anger against the cyclist who got in his way, and not terror at being accosted by him and not being able to get him off his car (see Former Ontario AG Michael Bryant, May, 2009).
In an article just a few months prior to the incident, Bryant talks about his love of boxing, and his skill in the ring (Contender, Jan, 2009, as noted by a commenter on ‘Cyclist may have grabbed,’ 2009). Is this the same man who was terrified of the cyclist, Darcy Sheppard? Was it Sheppard that Bryant feared or the situation, knowing that being involved in an altercation with a cyclist wouldn’t be good for his reputation – or his career? Are we permitted to use emotions such as fear – or love - as reasons for behaviour that we wouldn’t ordinarily engage in? When you see your life disappearing right in front of your eyes, it can be traumatic. Realizing in one split second that all he things you dreamed about and hoped for are at risk, and may never come about, can have a dramatic effect on a person’s ability to respond appropriately to the situation.
On the effects of the incident to Michael Bryant and his career, a friend is reported as saying,
“An acquittal will remove the possibility of jail, but not the stain of his stupidity. He’ll forever be known, fairly or not, as the guy whose political career ended one fateful August night on Bloor St.” (Is Michael Bryant’s life, 2009).
First, the assumption that Bryant might be acquitted is irrelevant, speaking in hindsight. Secondly, I question whether this can be put down to stupidity, which implies rationality - rational decision-making, though poorly thought out in the moment. This is more about the emotions – a gut response in the midst of the initial altercation. And finally, it’s not written in stone that he will not be allowed to make a political comeback. See this comparison with a similar incident involving another Toronto bike messenger, Thomas McBride, in 1999 (Michael Bryant: Toronto’s Carnell Fitzpatrick, 2009).
PR expert Jonathan Bernstein knows the importance of charisma in making a comeback – as demonstrated by Bill Clinton, along with other more intentional means of influencing opinion and repairing reputation damage (The long road to reputation, 2009). Social media is another aspect of that (see Michael Bryant's political strategy, 2009). For a day-by day-account of the first week, see Spinning the first week, 2009.
Bryant is currently listed as owner and operator of Humilitus Group, and as a visiting professor at Osgoode Law School (Michael Bryant leaves Norton, 2012.) He now speaks on his experience and how it has transformed him (Michael Bryant: Former Attorney General, since 2010).
See more on BlogTO on the city’s reaction after the charges against Bryant were dropped, including photos and comments by readers (Michael Bryant walks, 2010).
Bryant charged with criminal negligence after crash
ctvtoronto.ca
Sept 1, 2009
http://www.ctv.ca:80/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090901/fatal_collision_090901/20090901?hub=TopStories\
The contender
By Amanda Lang
Globe and Mail
Jan. 26, 2009, updated Apr 09, 2009
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/article967360.ece
http://samcpherson.homestead.com/files/Miscellaneous/2009_Jan_TheContender.doc
Cyclist may have grabbed Bryant, wheel: police
+ 1020 comments
CBC News
Sept 2, 2009
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2009/09/02/toronto-bryant-cyclist-sheppard523.html
Death on Bloor: Bryant enters a world beyond political spin
By Josh Wingrove, Timothy Appleby and Kate Hammer
Globe and Mail
Dec 16, 2009
http://www.yasni.com/ext.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fm.theglobeandmail.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fdeath-on-bloor-bryant-enters-a-world-beyond-political-spin%2Farticle1272875%2F%3Fservice%3Dmobile%26page%3D1&name=Annette+Wabie&cat=filter&showads=1
Former Ontario AG Michael Bryant was ‘terrified’ during fatal encounter with cyclist
By Shannon Kari
National Post
May 25, 2010
http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/05/25/criminal-charges-against-former-ag-michael-bryant-withdrawn/
Is Michael Bryant’s life over – or has it just begun?
By Lynda Hurst
Toronto Star, reprinted for The Record.com
Sept 5, 2009
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/690718--is-michael-bryant-s-life-over-or-has-it-just-begun
http://www.myartworks.ca/printArticle/593478
Jackie Kennedy’s Pink Suit
By Lisa Waller Rogers
Lisa's History room
Feb 12, 2011
http://lisawallerrogers.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/jackie-kennedys-pink-suit/
The long road to reputation repair
By Simon Houpt
Globe and Mail -Globe Investor
Sept 03, 2009
http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090903.wadhoc0904/GIStory/undefined
Michael Bryant: Former Attorney General and Author of 28 Seconds
Speakers' spotlight
since 2010
http://www.speakers.ca/bryant_michael.html
Michael Bryant leaves Norton Rose
Globe and Mail
Feb 14, 2012, updated Mar. 13, 2012
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/the-law-page/bar-talk/michael-bryant-leaves-norton-rose/article2338612/
Michael Bryant's political strategy: PR 2.0
+ 484 comments
By Kate Hammer
Globe and Mail
Sept 8/14, 2009
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/michael-bryants-political-strategy-pr-20/article1279957/
Michael Bryant: Toronto’s Carnell Fitzpatrick
Mess Media, Bryant Watch
Nov 19, 2009
http://bryantwatch.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/michael-bryant-toronto%E2%80%99s-carnell-fitzpatrick/
Michael Bryant walks, the cycling community rides, and a bad taste lingers
+ comments
By Derek Flack
BlogTO.com
May 26, 2010
http://www.blogto.com/city/2010/05/michael_bryant_walks_the_cycling_community_rides_and_a_bad_taste_lingers/
Morality play and a stampede to judgment
By Margaret Wente
No comments permitted
Globe and Mail
Sept 9/ Oct 3, 2009
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/morality-play-and-a-stampede-to-judgment/article1281262/
Spinning the first week of Michael Bryant's new life
By Linda Diebel
TO Star
Sept 5, 2009
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/691400
The tragic death of Darcy Sheppard, involved in a violent incident with ex-
attorney general Michael Bryant, isn't a morality play, though I think I understand how Margaret Wente might want to see it portrayed as such. It is very class-based logic to see the event as a "cautionary tale for public figures," as though the tragedy could somehow have been avoided, and worse yet, what the consequences can be for important or wealthy people getting mixed up with those other kind of people in society.
To begin with, Michael Bryant didn't just change into a "clean suit," after the accident, before he went to the police station (see Morality play, 2009). He changed out of the t-shirt he had been wearing into the shirt and tie with suit, before being taken to the police station. This is a minor issue, but an example of the ways Wente distorts language and its significance for the public. Bryant may have wanted to change into clean clothes, but the suit was for impression management, not for spending a comfortable night in jail.
Even Jackie Kennedy didn’t change out of her bloodstained suit before getting into the airplane with her husband’s body – John F Kennedy, following his assassination on November 22, 1963, nor on board the plane (Jackie Kennedy’s Pink Suit, 2011.) It’s a matter of priorities, and one has to wonder what Bryant’s really were. Fight or flight. Keep it close; remember; or push it away. Naturally, Jackie wasn’t completely immune to the fight or flight syndrome. Her immediate reaction on having her husband shot while seated beside her in the car was to clamber over the back seat of the convertible, a momentary lapse in good judgement.
When Darcy Sheppard talked back to the driver of the car that had bumped into his bike, it wasn’t to someone wearing a suit, thus more likely to be viewed as someone middle class. Bryant was wearing a t-shirt like any other ordinary person on the street at the time of the accident. So who should take care to avoid the other. Should it be the affluent middle class couple who should be more wary of getting into difficulty and getting blamed for it, or would it be more realistic to advise the person lacking the resources to fight injustice to be more careful to avoid people who show signs of having wealth and prestige. And did Darcy Sheppard realize the danger he was in?
On Sept 1, 2009, Bryant was charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death. Witnesses, including Raajiv Rajadurai and Ryan Brazeau provided details of the street interaction between Bryant and Sheppard (Bryant charged, Sept, 2009; Death on Bloor, Dec, 2009).
The charges were withdrawn with no preliminary hearing taking place, a decision that was explained by special prosecutor Richard Peck, who stated in court, “The evidence establishes that Mr. Sheppard was the aggressor in the altercation with Mr. Bryant. He was agitated and angry, without any provocation from Mr. Bryant and his wife,” (Former Ontario AG, May, 2010).
Bryant himself is quoted as saying, “It is not a morality play about bikes versus cars, couriers versus drivers, or one about class, privilege or politics. It’s just about how in 28 seconds, everything can change” (Former Ontario AG, May, 2010). But if we remove the words “a morality play” from this sentence – Bryant’s claim – it really is about bikes versus cars, and about class, privilege and politics.
Set aside the morality problem for now. Think about what happened, and the consequences. Bryant may have been surprised – no, astounded, to see how quickly a person’s life can change, can go from a normal day out to violence, death, accusations, and practically every aspect of their life being changed forever. He says that. He has now experienced adversity, that emotionless term that is applied to such situations.
From the outside, looking at someone who is angry might appear the same as looking at someone who is experiencing fear. Without Bryant’s explanation, the behaviour could be interpreted as anger against the cyclist who got in his way, and not terror at being accosted by him and not being able to get him off his car (see Former Ontario AG Michael Bryant, May, 2009).
In an article just a few months prior to the incident, Bryant talks about his love of boxing, and his skill in the ring (Contender, Jan, 2009, as noted by a commenter on ‘Cyclist may have grabbed,’ 2009). Is this the same man who was terrified of the cyclist, Darcy Sheppard? Was it Sheppard that Bryant feared or the situation, knowing that being involved in an altercation with a cyclist wouldn’t be good for his reputation – or his career? Are we permitted to use emotions such as fear – or love - as reasons for behaviour that we wouldn’t ordinarily engage in? When you see your life disappearing right in front of your eyes, it can be traumatic. Realizing in one split second that all he things you dreamed about and hoped for are at risk, and may never come about, can have a dramatic effect on a person’s ability to respond appropriately to the situation.
On the effects of the incident to Michael Bryant and his career, a friend is reported as saying,
“An acquittal will remove the possibility of jail, but not the stain of his stupidity. He’ll forever be known, fairly or not, as the guy whose political career ended one fateful August night on Bloor St.” (Is Michael Bryant’s life, 2009).
First, the assumption that Bryant might be acquitted is irrelevant, speaking in hindsight. Secondly, I question whether this can be put down to stupidity, which implies rationality - rational decision-making, though poorly thought out in the moment. This is more about the emotions – a gut response in the midst of the initial altercation. And finally, it’s not written in stone that he will not be allowed to make a political comeback. See this comparison with a similar incident involving another Toronto bike messenger, Thomas McBride, in 1999 (Michael Bryant: Toronto’s Carnell Fitzpatrick, 2009).
PR expert Jonathan Bernstein knows the importance of charisma in making a comeback – as demonstrated by Bill Clinton, along with other more intentional means of influencing opinion and repairing reputation damage (The long road to reputation, 2009). Social media is another aspect of that (see Michael Bryant's political strategy, 2009). For a day-by day-account of the first week, see Spinning the first week, 2009.
Bryant is currently listed as owner and operator of Humilitus Group, and as a visiting professor at Osgoode Law School (Michael Bryant leaves Norton, 2012.) He now speaks on his experience and how it has transformed him (Michael Bryant: Former Attorney General, since 2010).
See more on BlogTO on the city’s reaction after the charges against Bryant were dropped, including photos and comments by readers (Michael Bryant walks, 2010).
Bryant charged with criminal negligence after crash
ctvtoronto.ca
Sept 1, 2009
http://www.ctv.ca:80/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090901/fatal_collision_090901/20090901?hub=TopStories\
The contender
By Amanda Lang
Globe and Mail
Jan. 26, 2009, updated Apr 09, 2009
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/article967360.ece
http://samcpherson.homestead.com/files/Miscellaneous/2009_Jan_TheContender.doc
Cyclist may have grabbed Bryant, wheel: police
+ 1020 comments
CBC News
Sept 2, 2009
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2009/09/02/toronto-bryant-cyclist-sheppard523.html
Death on Bloor: Bryant enters a world beyond political spin
By Josh Wingrove, Timothy Appleby and Kate Hammer
Globe and Mail
Dec 16, 2009
http://www.yasni.com/ext.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fm.theglobeandmail.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fdeath-on-bloor-bryant-enters-a-world-beyond-political-spin%2Farticle1272875%2F%3Fservice%3Dmobile%26page%3D1&name=Annette+Wabie&cat=filter&showads=1
Former Ontario AG Michael Bryant was ‘terrified’ during fatal encounter with cyclist
By Shannon Kari
National Post
May 25, 2010
http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/05/25/criminal-charges-against-former-ag-michael-bryant-withdrawn/
Is Michael Bryant’s life over – or has it just begun?
By Lynda Hurst
Toronto Star, reprinted for The Record.com
Sept 5, 2009
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/690718--is-michael-bryant-s-life-over-or-has-it-just-begun
http://www.myartworks.ca/printArticle/593478
Jackie Kennedy’s Pink Suit
By Lisa Waller Rogers
Lisa's History room
Feb 12, 2011
http://lisawallerrogers.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/jackie-kennedys-pink-suit/
The long road to reputation repair
By Simon Houpt
Globe and Mail -Globe Investor
Sept 03, 2009
http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090903.wadhoc0904/GIStory/undefined
Michael Bryant: Former Attorney General and Author of 28 Seconds
Speakers' spotlight
since 2010
http://www.speakers.ca/bryant_michael.html
Michael Bryant leaves Norton Rose
Globe and Mail
Feb 14, 2012, updated Mar. 13, 2012
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/the-law-page/bar-talk/michael-bryant-leaves-norton-rose/article2338612/
Michael Bryant's political strategy: PR 2.0
+ 484 comments
By Kate Hammer
Globe and Mail
Sept 8/14, 2009
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/michael-bryants-political-strategy-pr-20/article1279957/
Michael Bryant: Toronto’s Carnell Fitzpatrick
Mess Media, Bryant Watch
Nov 19, 2009
http://bryantwatch.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/michael-bryant-toronto%E2%80%99s-carnell-fitzpatrick/
Michael Bryant walks, the cycling community rides, and a bad taste lingers
+ comments
By Derek Flack
BlogTO.com
May 26, 2010
http://www.blogto.com/city/2010/05/michael_bryant_walks_the_cycling_community_rides_and_a_bad_taste_lingers/
Morality play and a stampede to judgment
By Margaret Wente
No comments permitted
Globe and Mail
Sept 9/ Oct 3, 2009
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/morality-play-and-a-stampede-to-judgment/article1281262/
Spinning the first week of Michael Bryant's new life
By Linda Diebel
TO Star
Sept 5, 2009
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/691400
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