search
Gregory Lyakhov
A Student Covering Politics And Policy

Colleges Are Being Hijacked by Ideology, Not Education

SOURCE: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toronto_rally_for_Palestine_-_20231118_203248681.jpg PUBLIC DOMAIN: FREE FOR PUBLIC USE
Protesters in Toronto marching in support of Palestine.

College campuses, considered hubs of free thought and debate, are increasingly dominated by radical ideologies that suppress dissent and foster intolerance. As I prepare to step into this environment, I cannot help but question: Do I need to endure radical ideology to gain an education? How is this fair to students like me who want to learn and grow?

Antisemitism and Violence After October 7th

The aftermath of the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel saw a shocking rise in antisemitism across college campuses. Protests by groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) turned into open displays of hatred toward Jewish students. Chants like “From the river to the sea,” a slogan advocating the destruction of Israel and its people, echoed at elite universities, creating an environment of fear for Jewish peers.

As someone who will soon apply to college, these events make me wonder: Can I trust universities to provide a safe space for all students, regardless of background or beliefs?

The numbers paint a grim picture. A study by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that 73% of Jewish students reported experiencing antisemitism this academic year. These incidents range from verbal harassment to physical assaults, leaving many Jewish students isolated and vulnerable.

Dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents within the U.S. (2020-2024).

University administrators have done little to fight back. During a 2023 congressional hearing, presidents of Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania were criticized for their weak responses to blatant antisemitism. Their reluctance to condemn hate speech unequivocally sends a clear message: safety and fairness are secondary to political optics.

If this is the environment I am walking into, what’s the point? Why should students like me endure such hostility to get a degree?

Luigi Mangione: A Cautionary Tale

The story of Luigi Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024, is a chilling reminder of the dangers of radicalization on college campuses. Mangione allegedly embraced extremist ideologies during his college years, justifying violent actions as a means of achieving justice.

What’s even more disturbing is the reaction to his arrest. Some students and faculty sympathized with Mangione, framing his actions as a misguided but understandable response to systemic oppression. This normalization of violence as a political tool leaves me questioning the kind of environment colleges facilitate today.

DEI: A Flawed Approach

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives were supposed to make college campuses more inclusive, but they’ve often achieved the opposite. Instead of fostering unity, they create division, prioritizing identity over merit. Admissions offices increasingly use criteria to achieve racial quotas, undermining the fairness of the process.

For students like me, this creates a lose-lose situation. If I benefit from these policies, I am seen as someone who didn’t earn their place. If I am excluded, it feels like my hard work is for nothing. How is this equitable? How is it fair?

The Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard declared race-based affirmative action unconstitutional, yet many universities continue to find ways around it. As I prepare for college, I can’t help but question the ethics of these practices and the integrity of the education I’d receive.

The Broader Dangers of Radical Ideologies

The radical ideologies dominating college campuses have far-reaching implications. When antisemitism is tolerated, violence is normalized, and divisive policies are promoted, it undermines the democratic principles universities are meant to uphold.

Conservative students frequently report feeling silenced, and speakers with opposing views face protests, cancellations, and even physical threats. This isn’t the free exchange of ideas I imagined college to be—it’s an ideological echo chamber. For someone like me, who values open dialogue and critical thinking, it’s hard to see the value in such an environment.

Moreover, these ideologies don’t stay confined to campuses. Graduates bring them into the professional world, often clashing with societal norms and creating further polarization. If college is meant to prepare us for the real world, how can it succeed when it promotes such a narrow, divisive worldview?

As I stand on the threshold of higher education, I’m forced to ask myself: Is it worth it? Do I need to endure radical ideologies and their consequences to earn a degree? College should be a place of growth, discovery, and preparation for the future, but reality is far from that ideal.

Universities must take decisive action against antisemitism, violence, and discriminatory policies, ensuring that campuses are safe and inclusive for all students. Without this change, they risk alienating the students they’re meant to serve.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. For students like me, the decision to attend college feels less like a natural step forward and more like a calculated risk. We shouldn’t have to sacrifice our values or sense of safety to pursue an education. If colleges continue down this path, they’ll not only lose their credibility—they’ll lose students like me altogether.

About the Author
Gregory Lyakhov is one of the youngest advocates for Israel, still only in high school. His work has been featured in The New York Post, The Jerusalem Post, The Algemeiner, and The Times of Israel. He has also made appearances on Fox & Friends and Newsmax.