Letter to Dean Takamura
April 27,2010
Hi Jeanette, so glad we are on a first name basis. I received your email I'm
sorry it took so long for you to get it. Marion has had the email all along so I
find it interesting that it took 24 hours to get it. I was wondering why Marion
didn't call back as she said she would but instead the question of ethics became
a legal issue and I was embarrassed for the students at the cynical tone your
letter presented. I feel dehumanized as a research subject and I can see that
your priority is not my best interest. Your priority is proving me wrong
forgetting ethical moral issues and guidelines. Instead you are taking a
legalistic approach to whether a public figure signs her life away trying to
do something good for women veterans.
I never agreed to have 400 people diagnose me and plan my treatment. I can
imagine that you have probably written a book or two and as an author you have
become a public figure. You probably are known for your work somewhere and may
even have a video of two made of you. Would you want to be the subject of this
study? Of course students wouldn't have to ask your permission because you are a
"public persona".
Your concern for me is patronizing. I asked you in my first letter not to
patronize me and I will say it again. I know it’s hard for academics to see me
as an equal human being. As for re-traumatization I can honestly say that
it is coming from the faculty’s failure to communicate with me when this
project was formulated. I am comforted that the students have a conscience about
this conflict.
I can see your intention to keep me at a distance from this issue by skyping me
in as an alternative to flying me there. I told Marion that I was taught to
handle things most directly. For me that means in person. Rather than
communicating with me you have attempted to route all student communication
through you. You have attempted to marginalize me but your students understand
my conflict.
Thank you for finally contacting me directly. I see that as the most
professional thing that has been done. I have been waiting for Marion's return
call. Are you contacting me instead?
I will get back to you on a meeting time and date very soon.
Eli PaintedCrow