DEI: Breeding hate

The recent surge in antisemitism on American university campuses has laid bare a disturbing truth about the failure of academic institutions to combat hatred and bigotry. The shocking refusal to condemn the antisemitic conduct by the presidents of MIT, Harvard, and the University of Pennsylvania when questioned about advocating genocide against Jews has exposed the underlying antisemitic sentiments that seem to be festering within the corridors of higher education.

Rather than standing unequivocally against antisemitism, the three university presidents chose to hide behind false faux concerns about free speech. This is despite these very institutions having a track record of punishing speech that does not align with progressive orthodoxy. Harvard President Claudine Gay, for instance, has overseen the removal of several professors for merely expressing opinions that diverge from the prevailing narrative.

The recent resignations of Penn President Elizabeth Magill and Board of Trustees Chairman Scott Bok following the controversy might be seen as attempts to pacify outraged donors. The resignation was completely superficial; it is clear that her forced resignation was not because of her stance but because she got caught. She is no more than a sacrificial lamb offered to placate both Congress and the Americans offended and enraged by her words. 

This superficial response does little to address the root cause of the issue, which is the apparent tolerance for antisemitism that exists within these prestigious academic institutions.

The situation is further exacerbated by the broader problems with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Many of the issues regarding the radical shift to left-wing politics can be laid at the feet of the DEI initiative.

DEI policies, rather than fostering an environment of inclusivity, have inadvertently become breeding grounds for hatred, with race, gender, and sexuality being used as tools to enforce conformity and silence dissent.

The antisemitic sentiments witnessed on these campuses are a symptom of a deeper problem – a failure to prioritize the principles of REAL free speech, unbiased education, and the condemnation of hatred.

The presidents of these universities and their boards must be held accountable for the crimes they have committed to allowing such Jew-hatred to grow on their campuses.

The boards of trustees must appoint leaders who are committed to eradicating antisemitism and fostering an environment that upholds the principles of intellectual diversity. 

Donors must reconsider their support for institutions that fail to take a strong stance against antisemitism and uphold the values of tolerance and diversity.

The rise in antisemitism within American universities is a stain on the reputation of these esteemed institutions. 

It is time for us, as a society, to demand change, accountability, and a commitment to eradicating hatred from places meant to be bastions of knowledge, understanding, and inclusivity.