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I want to take a minute to celebrate @sullydish on this masterful letter of resignation. Right out of the gate, the contrast could not be clearer than other similar gestures that have happened in recent days. For instance: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/07/andrew-sullivan-see-you-next-friday.html
For one, he does not try to frame his *voluntary resignation* as a cancellation. Nor does he paint himself as a victim. Instead, he emphasizes that it's the prerogative of @NYMag to choose its editorial vision. In this case, it's a vision that isn't a good fit for him.
He expresses no entitlement that his own views, or those of his friends/ allies, be represented there. He sticks to his conservative values: NYMag is a private company; freedom of association; etc. The cultural turning point, as he sees it, is when @voxmediainc bought the mag.
He then powerfully underlines, however, how goofy the situation is when even his brand of 'conservativism' is seen as a bridge too far. Very effective, this:
But then -- and here's the twist -- rather than depicting this as some kind of crisis for Western civilization, he underscores how these gatekeepers don't get to call the shots in the media anymore. Let them make their decisions. He will make his. Readers will make theirs.
In his case, he's going to be reviving "The Dish," this time on @SubstackInc. And while we're giving kudos, good on @NYMag for running this critical farewell letter and allowing him to plug his new venture. They didn't have to do that. It's classy that they did.
It's a non-ideal situation, but it seems as though parties are trying to be as amicable as they can be. In any case, Sullivan's resignation letter is really something of a masterclass in how to 'go high':
Stick to your principles. Don't present yourself as a victim when you are *choosing* to leave. Don't catastrophize or hyperbolize. Don't disparage your former employer and co-workers. Be transparent about your next steps. No bitterness or pettiness, just resolve.
Actually, one last thing I love: he is reflexive in calling for viewpoint diversity. It's not just that people on the left should engage with conservatives, vice-versa also holds. He discusses how his engagement with progressives improved his own thinking/ writing on many issues.
