The readers of The Daily Wire It will surprise no university professor would support the suppression of speech from those challenging campus political norms. A recent letter that was sent by some colleagues from Arizona State University to one of its college deans condemned a campus event featuring Dennis Prager and Charlie Kirk. The sentiments expressed in the letter are strongly opposed by us.
One of the many things that distinguishes ASU from other top universities is our administration’s embrace of intellectual diversity. Michael Crow, ASU president has made a special effort to highlight this topic. We urgeThis “we can and should learn from perspectives different from our own.” In 2018, under President Crow’s leadership, ASU Formally adoptedChicago Statement of Freedom of Expression which says that “it is not the proper role of the University to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive.” “[W]ithout a vibrant commitment to free and open inquiry,”This concludes the statement. “a university ceases to be a university.”
President Crow’s commitment to intellectual diversity at ASU has been longstanding, including last year’s establishment of the Center for American Institutions, whose mission is fostering and renewing the nation’s political, economic, and social institutions, including religion and the family. The 2023 speaker series will feature Katie Pavlich and Matt Walsh as well as Rosalind Ross, writer and director of the Center for American Institutions. “Father Stu”Kimberley Strassel and Thomas Edsall. This year we were able to host James A. Lindsay, Bret Weinstein, and Douglas Murray.
Six years ago, President Crow established the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership. This allowed the appointment of faculty who were committed to teaching the foundation principles of American democracy and constitutionalism. Crow supported the T.W. He also supported the establishment of The Lewis Center for Personal Development (which is currently hosting this event).
Some ASU faculty may not like these programs but students and Arizonans love hearing other views at public universities that are supported by tax dollars and tuition fees. The university student should openly and rigorously consider all viewpoints. But Study after StudyIt is clear that faculty’s ideological and political affiliations are not at all like those of the American people.
These faculty letters, like those condemning Dennis Prager or Charlie Kirk, reinforce campus conformity. They also serve as an effective way to intimidate students and suppress any dissenters. Many opt to self-censorOut of fear of being rejected and even punished. It is extremely harmful to free and open discussion.
Prager and Kirk are described in this letter. “two white nationalist provocateurs.” “Dennis Prager and Charlie Kirk are purveyors of hate who have publicly attacked women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, as well as the institutions of our democracy, including our public institutions of higher education,”The letter is as follows: “By platforming and legitimating their extreme anti-intellectual and anti-democratic views, [the college] will not be furthering the cause of democratic exchange at ASU, but undermining it in ways that could further marginalize the most vulnerable members of our community.”
The letter also states that students must “encounter a broad diversity of voices and viewpoints,”It is evident that there are many ideas. Not Many mainline conservist or centrist views, which include those supported by the majority of Americans, are acceptable.
According to the letter, any one of the following opinions would make it unfit to address a university.
- Radical gender ideology: Disagreement
- Questions about the COVID official lockdown narrative
- Big Pharma shots and research are questioned for their soundness and effectiveness
- A mother and father living together is the best thing for a child.
- Encourage young couples to marry and have children.
- Refusal to accept the solutions and methods of the BLM organisation
- Questions about the hyper-racist ideologies of “anti-racism”
- Questioning the handling of particular elections (unless the wrong candidate wins, then it’s ok)
- Opposition to January 6’s exploitation and sacralization
- Challenge the assumption that college is necessary for success and happiness.
These views, according the letter are “bigoted,” “anti-intellectual,” “extreme.”Ironically, the anti-intellectual position that one can take is to insist on a controlled mind and to conform to rigid, suffocating dogmatic precepts. Then to throw fits if anyone dares to disagree. To defend the right to speak in public institutions and allow others to listen to what Prager or Kirk have to say, one does not need to agree with everything.
“If liberty means anything at all,”George Orwell. “it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
Our university is proud of our research, teaching, and service. Faculty from all ASU backgrounds are encouraged to declare their respect for these values.
Anti-intellectuals often resort to this strategy: labeling their opponent as having a fear rather than addressing the truth of their beliefs. Both sides can be open to rational discussion. ASU shouldn’t have heterodox speakers. Those opposed to them should be open to public debate. Professor Owen AndersonPhilosophy is challenging the public to debate the need for a diversity of views and values at the university.
Jonathan Barth is Associate Professor in History at Arizona State University, and Associate Director for the Center for American Institutions. He’s the author of “The Currency of Empire: Money and Power in English America in the Seventeenth Century”(Cornell University Press. 2021). YouTube is free to access the History of Money series and other educational content.
Donald Critchlow, Arizona State University Professor of History and the Director of The Center for American Institutions is Donald Critchlow. He’s the author of twelve books, including “In Defense of Populism: Protest and American Democracy”(University of Pennsylvania Press 2020). “Republican Character: From Nixon to Reagan”(University of Pennsylvania Press (2018)
Owen Anderson is an Arizona State University Professor of Philosophy. His books on natural law, American Founding and the First Amendment have been published by Cambridge University Press. Other books by him include “The Clarity of God’s Existence.”Pastor of the Historic Christian Church of Phoenix (a Reformed Church), he also maintains an educational YouTube channel.
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