DEI Policies Spell Doom for Free Expression in Higher Education
“divides us by social identity groups, ranks those groups on privilege and power, and excludes those who fail to honor the new orthodoxy”
DEI policies discourage free expression. That’s the exact opposite of what higher education is supposed to do.
Matthew Spalding writes at the Wall Street Journal:
DEI Spells Death for the Idea of a University
The first object of government, James Madison tells us in Federalist 10, is the protection of “the diversity in the faculties of men.” By diversity, Madison meant different opinions to be encouraged to preserve liberty. Equity is an ancient legal concept of justice in particular cases, developed over centuries of English common-law practice. Inclusion simply means to make a part of, as in defining a mathematical set by what it does and doesn’t include.
All good words with respectable origins. Yet in true Orwellian fashion, they have been redefined.Diversity is no longer a term to describe the breadth of our differences but a demand to flatter and grant privileges to purportedly oppressed identity groups. Equity assigns desirable positions based on race, sex and sexual orientation rather than character, competence and merit. Inclusion now means creating a social environment where identity groups are celebrated while those who disagree are maligned.
“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion”—the compound form of these modern concepts—is especially toxic. It divides us by social identity groups, ranks those groups on privilege and power, and excludes those who fail to honor the new orthodoxy. Rather than being equally endowed with innate dignity and fundamental rights as human beings—best judged by our character and not skin color—we are supposed to discriminate and confer status based on race, sex and cultural affinity.
This isn’t merely a conceptual problem. DEI initiatives have proliferated in higher education. There are offices, deans and vice presidents of diversity, equity and inclusion at most colleges and universities, such as New College of Florida, where I have recently been appointed a trustee. One review of top universities found an average of 45 DEI staff members at each school (about one DEI staffer for every 30 professors). Another study found that 20% of academic job postings require DEI statements as a requirement of employment or promotion.
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When writing or editing definitions, please make sure that diversity includes “viewpoint diversity.”
“DEI policies discourage free expression. That’s the exact opposite of what higher education is supposed to do.”
But it’s exactly what Political Officers are supposed to do. It’s their whole job.