The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recently canned a 90-year-old volunteer who had worked for the organization for decades for daring to question the organization’s adherence to radical social constructionist practices.
The online backlash was swift and severe.
various critics
doubts expressed Regarding future donations to organizations. Some accused the organization, which locked comments on X and at least one employee deep-sixed her social media account, of ideological capture and ageism.
After being doubled and tripled with expulsion,
With DEI grip The organization finally apologized. However, this too has drawn the ire of critics who consider it a similar “failure”.
What is your background?
Fran Itkoff, 90, has been a volunteer with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for nearly 60 years, running the Long Beach-Lakewood MS Support Group and helping countless others with the same condition as her late husband. helped.
Blaze News previously reported that Itkov received the Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 for his dedicated service to others.
Chaya Reichik of Libs of TikTok raised the alarm that Itkov was fired in January for apparently questioning the organization’s practice of stating gender pronouns in communications.
The Jan. 19 termination letter obtained by Reichik shows that Kari Kumor, the MS Society community engagement manager who provides pronouns, has recently been hired.
I deleted her LinkedIn profile“After a thorough review of our guidelines and standards, we have confirmed that we failed to adhere to our diversity, equity, and inclusion guidelines during my time as a volunteer,” the company said in a statement to Itkov. It has become clear,” he said.
“Unfortunately, given the circumstances, we have made the difficult decision to terminate your volunteer position with immediate effect,” Kumor wrote.
“When I read that, I was completely shocked,” Itkov told TikTok’s Libs. “I couldn’t believe it. She had to read it over several times to make sure I understood what she was saying.”
Itkoff’s daughter, Elle Hamilton, said it was unfortunate that the MS Society would discriminate against her mother, especially for a disease she has dedicated her life to helping others fight. “Even though I haven’t done it yet,” he said.
“It could happen to anyone,” Hamilton said. “Anyone can get this disease and they’re discriminating against her…Just because she asked to explain what her pronouns are, they’re trying to help. .”
Reichik summed up the situation: “You’ve been volunteering for 60 years, right? You gave your life to this organization. You paid tribute to your late husband. .And…they take that away from you in a split second and throw you under the law.” I couldn’t understand why someone who is a woman would have to put her words in her email signature. I just took the bus. ”
Doubles, then triples
TikTok’s library
Internal email from February 9th From the person who gave the pronoun “Executive Vice President and General Counsel” regarding Mr. Itkov’s dismissal. The letter suggested the decision to fire the 90-year-old was taken with “thought and care”. The organization won’t fire someone just for asking questions about its inclusive practices. And the MS Society said it expects volunteers to “uphold the values outlined in our inclusion policy.”
In the face of significant backlash, the MS Society issued an official statement on February 15th.
saying“We strongly believe that the best way to serve and support people living with MS is to create spaces that welcome everyone, especially those affected by MS. This applies to self-help group leaders who are responsible for leading meetings to confide in and support each other.”
The MS Society further claimed in a statement that “staff acted with the best of intentions” in canning Itkov.
This statement put more emphasis on X and caused further anger.
All-American swimming star Riley Gaines is one of the many critics.
answered“You can’t promote yourself as an ‘inclusive’ organization when you can fire a 90-year-old woman you’ve been providing support and services to for 60 years because she didn’t understand the concept of preferred pronouns.” . Despicable. She has a terrible lawsuit.” With her hands on her, I hope she sees it through to the end. ”
DEI Apology
The MS Society finally relented this week, pointing out in an article that:
statement “The National Multiple Sclerosis Society apologizes to Fran Itkoff, a longtime and dedicated volunteer. We recently apologized to Fran for not being consistent with our recent diversity and equity initiatives. “I have requested that he resign from his role as group leader due to comments he made that he deemed to be inappropriate,” and the inclusion policy. ”
The MS Association again suggested that this dismissal was clearly caused by Itkov’s failure to reflexively conform to the radical conventions of the time, and was motivated by the “best intentions.”
“We now realize we made a mistake,” the statement continued, adding, “We should have discussed this further with Fran before making this decision.”
Although the MS Society admitted that it had “not been good enough as an organization,” it continued to portray Itkov as an ignorant person in need of re-education.
“Fran understands why we, as an organization, are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive movement where everyone has fair access to the care, connection, and support they need to live their best lives. I should have spent more time with Fran to get her to know me,” the statement said.
Litchiku
answered“Better late than never, but this shouldn’t have happened in the first place! They’re putting unnecessary stress on the old lady.”
The apology rang hollow for various critics, including conservative commentator Megyn Kelly.
tweeted, “Another failure from the MS Society. They finally apologized to the 90-year-old volunteer they fired for not understanding why she had to say pronouns, but this time they told her which pronouns she had to say. DEI is great. Wrong again. ”
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