Comments on: Churchill and Affirmative Action

by: John Lemon

Mon, 28 Feb 2025 03:22:45 +0000

In fact, one would guess that universities are the one place in the country least likely to engage in discrimination against minorities, given the ideological predilection of the faculty. Nonetheless, I still have colleagues who insist that universities are a hotbed of “institutional racism,” whatever that means (and the definition shifts quite a bit when you engage somebody on this).

Instead, it is my guess that “diversity” hires at universities are meant to do three things:

1) Make the faculty feel good about themselves — i.e., make them feel enlightened;

2) Avoid lawsuits and “pay off” vocal constituencies;

and

3) Help solidify the ideological monopoly at many universities.

The last point may not seem obvious, but when you consider that the way “diversity” hires tend to undertaken, they usually come in the form of some “[fill in the blank] critical studies” program or subfield. As you may know, anything that has “critical studies” in its title is likely to be steeped in left-wing ideology and the person you get is likely to be of that mind.

Now this may be less likely in the natural sciences and engineering, but I have heard about hires that seek to get the “minority perspective” on engineering, which just boggles my mind.

by: Steven Taylor

Sun, 27 Feb 2025 22:12:06 +0000

Point taken.

by: John Lemon

Sun, 27 Feb 2025 22:10:37 +0000

“Diversity hiring” has nothing to do with “points of view,” Steven.

by: Steven L.

Sun, 27 Feb 2025 21:28:58 +0000

Given the “reductio ad absurdum” nature of Mr. Churchill’s career, how long will it be until someone floats the theory that — because the situation is SO ludicrous — that KArl Rove must be behind it?

If a pool is started, I would like to take Wednesday.

Steven L.

by: Hennessy's View

Sun, 27 Feb 2025 20:49:38 +0000

Do We Need a National Collegiate Academic Association?
The disturbing case of Ward Churchill has me asking a question I ought not ask, but somehow feel compelled. The NCAA has an arcane, complicated, often brainless set of rules regarding recruitment and pampering of college athletes. The rules require m…