I am often surprised and occasionally dismayed by the comments our Brainstorm postings generate. But I never respond, knowing that to do so only invites more of the same. Some of the comments occasioned by Stan Katz’s celebration of Karen Arenson, however, need a response. What and how Arenson accomplished what she did are too important to be marginalized by nonsense.
What ever her background and personal proclivities, Arenson is no elitist. Her best work was devoted to the educational landscape of New York City, with its mélange of institutions of every stripe and persuasion. Her stories informed as well entertained, shocked as well as moved us. Collectively they formed a tapestry whose warp and woof were the accomplishments, failures, and inanities of the institutions to which she paid such exquisite attention.
Like every really good journalists she covered stories rather than being part of them. At the same time she was always available to provide background and context, always in the hope that people like me wouldn’t make more of a mess of things. There was, to be sure, a quid pro quo. We had to tell her what we were thinking and why. Often without quoting us, she wove those aspects into her stories. Hers was an art that was prescient as well as gracious.
Karen, you owe us a book. I have no doubt it will prove painful to read, but we will do so because we trust your observing eye.
Thanks.
