Ron Grossman`s May 5 article, ”Academia`s anarchist a hit in Hyde Park,” is hostile journalism. Labeling the French philosopher Derrida an
”anarchist” is sensationalistic. Apostate seems more appropriate.
Language such as ”captured the hearts and minds” and ”eager not to miss a single morsel of the master`s wisdom” to describe Derrida`s reception seems OK at first. But wit ensuing language such as ”those lines must be inscribed in Derrida`s cerebrum” or that ”Derrida sounds like a satirical impression of a philosopher,” then we do not have to wonder why he ”keeps the media at arm`s length.” Such journalism is not just cocky but
disrespectful and riddled with misassertions.
If Grossman had taken time to attend the other lectures, or had listened closely to a portion of the one he did show up at, then he might have caught what for him ”seemed to recede from consciousness.” Then Grossman might have gotten even the title of Baudelaire`s story right.
