Boston University recently made a new announcement that has rekindled concerns over the rising orthodoxy in our institutions of higher education. The University issued new guidelines and courses for its mandatory writing program that will require all students to write papers with a “social justice emphasis” as a condition for graduation. The key faculty organizers celebrated the new policy and the hiring of non-white instructors as guaranteeing social justice results by making students a “captive audience” with no choice in the matter. The school’s announcement emphasizes that the effort is designed to use the mandatory writing requirement so that these courses will “never worry about enrollment.” The poor choice of wording can be addressed with a public commitment to maintain an array of other choices for students in fulfilling their writing requirements.Gwen Kordonowy, the Writing Program’s associate director, said that the problem in the past was that students had a choice and some did not want to be forced into writing for social justice issues. Instructors and classes could be avoided. Now, they have solved the problem by removing all choice.
She heralded the hiring of non-white faculty to teach the social justice courses, using the first-year requirement to “reach every student at BU.” With that, she explained, “we have a captive audience. We never worry about enrollment.”
Writing Program Director Sarah Hardy said that the “cluster hiring” of minority faculty and the mandatory course requirements are meant to finally end the “predominance of white faculty in academia” by limiting the choices of students.
The BU announcement includes a statement from instructor Swati Rani that she will be teaching students to apply the “language around anti-racism” and emphasized that “all of my students are required to develop a voice of advocacy in their final papers and projects that are directly connected to their intersectional lives at BU.”
There is every reason to celebrate classes that add different perspectives and subjects to the curriculum. It is the mandatory element that is troubling if students will be required to write in favor of approved social justice causes.
What happens to students in this “captive audience” who do not support social justice causes? These are subjects that touch on deep religious, social, and political values in our society.
While many of us have objected to the orthodoxy and viewpoint intolerance on our campuses, there remains some element of choice at most schools that allows students to avoid such classes. The BU program raises the question of whether political orthodoxy among faculty becomes political indoctrination through mandatory graduation requirements.
It is certainly true that students are a captive audience in the sense of having to meet basic requirements for graduation. However, most universities have guaranteed a degree of intellectual and curricular diversity among their course offerings. Indeed, some like University of Chicago focused on the “core curriculum” to lay a uniform foundation in classic subject matters while allowing students to tailor their courses to their interests after the first-year. The thrust was to teach analytical and writing skills separate from political or cultural viewpoints. BU seems to be erasing the distinction between skills and viewpoint development.
Rani explains that in her course “we call out performative wokeness culture by asking ourselves what solutions we have to problems of injustice.” What if a student does not believe that there is “linguistic injustice” or rejects the cited “problems of injustice” in these courses? What if they reject not just “performative” but any form of wokeness?
Once again, some of these courses seem very interesting and I expect would be a draw for many students. However, by making these courses mandatory, BU could be making viewpoint compliance a condition for graduation.
For some of us, it was the reference to students as captives to these courses that was the most jarring.
The university has an obligation, in my view, to assure students and faculty that students are not reduced to mere captives to a type of viewpoint indoctrination. That can be achieved by guaranteeing the students are not being graded on their ability to mouth the social justice priorities of instructors. While the announcement stressed that the mandatory requirement will guarantee enrollment in the courses, it should assure students that they will have other writing course options and will not be treated as a “captive audience.”
Hello, good article
I guess the only way a prospective student, at least, could avoid the problem would be to decide not to enroll at BU at all. I have several a dearly loved cousin whose three children all graduated from BU some years ago. It’s hard for me to imagine any of them jumping on the bandwagon of this new program.
Jonathan: Shame on me. I took you at your word that BU is making “social justice” courses mandatory for writing students. As Anonymous and others have pointed out they apparently not required courses. They have been added to the curriculum due to student demand. This is not the first time you have distorted facts to make an ideological point.
But the BU case illustrates another important point. Students coming out of high school are already “woke”. Their life experiences have already exposed them to the realities of racism and LGBTQ+ discrimination. So they are eager to learn more about the issues. When they get to BU they are not a “captive audience” or the victims of “viewpoint indoctrination”.
But I suppose you will not be satisfied until BU offers alternatives to “social justice” courses. Say courses entitled “Why conservatives are suppressed on university campuses” or “The need for an anti-woke agenda” or “Antifa as an existential threat to the nation”–you know, subjects dear to your heart. Now that would be “viewpoint indoctrination”!
I’ve got it! If Prof Turley has his facts wrong about a mandatory social justice writing requirement, perhaps he has been duped by an intentional effort by BU admin to justify the “cluster hiring” of minority faculty by making it appear that they have guaranteed a minimum enrollment. Turley said, “Writing Program Director Sarah Hardy said that the “cluster hiring” of minority faculty and the mandatory course requirements are meant to finally end the “predominance of white faculty in academia” by limiting the choices of students.” This would be like Saddam fooling his own generals and the world that he had WMD. In truth only the true believers in the rhetoric of anti-racism will still be taking the course, but, the board will wink and pretend the expense justified, but, BU will not be assaulted by complaints from computer science majors.
This move would be even more pathetic than raising social justice to a mandate equivalent to a mandatory requirement of the great colonialist classics of literature, philosophy and music (which I once heard described on NPR as the “soundtrack of imperialism”, leaving Robert J Lurtsema rolling in his grave).
It’s too bad because I was thinking that if there were some freedom to choose topics, there are lots of satisfying conservative social justice topics like the benefits of replacing the current Chicago school system and the like with charter schools or heeding the fear of FDR and George Meany and eliminating all public employee collective bargaining because they feared they would use political influence to choose the people on the other side of the bargaining table, which they do.
@anonymous:……. not a social justice course? I’d like to see the writing course director support your contention that the issue presently under discussion is not a social justice course given the intent attested to by the members of The Faculty quoted. A far better proof positive than your contention.
See for yourself….
https://www.bu.edu/writingprogram/writing-program-curriculum/catalog/wr-courses-on-arts-culture-literature/
Is a course on “Travel Writing” a social justice writing course? Come on, man.
There is no debate here. Professor Turley simply failed to do basic due diligence before writing this article.
ZZDoc, we must remain aware and alert to the fact that what is written is not necessarily what is intended. We know from experience the left denies what they are doing, and then down the road we find out that what we find that what they were moving toward is far worse than what they say. All we have to do is look at the initial discussions on things related to CRT. The left started with a type of affirmative action combined with favoritism and moved to children having to apologize for being white and other children not old enough to make such decisions having their testicles removed or undergoing hormone treatment to make them appear to be the gender they aren’t.
People like ATS have to be watched very carefully for those are the ones to follow because they can potentially add to the dangers of a despot.
How does this at all relate to whether a University’s mandatory writing course has options for students that are not focused on social justice?
Maybe not everything is related to the daily headlines on Fox?
The fact that folks would rather resort to platitudes rather than check the actual sources of a university course catalog is baffling.
You are very superficial and though you are not dangerous alone you are a danger when in a group. You advocate destruction. There is no good that will come from you. We have seen such groups on the right and the left.
I don’t focus on the “facts” you surround yourself with. I focus on intentions and reality.
No one should believe anything you say.
In what reality is BU limiting writing courses to social justice focused topics?
Certainly not this one.
I cannot predict the future no matter what was said or meant. I believe the intention is bad and you are worse. We know what you say but none of it is based on knowledge, intellect or wisdom. It is based on your ideology, and what your handlers have to say. You are little more than a trained seal.
One of JT’s least thoughtful postings. Universities have some required courses. BU requires a writing course. Yawn.
BU requires a writing course. Yawn.
But you doubtless realize that’s not what this article is about. It’s about a required social justice writing course.
With that said, one commenter below said Prof. Turley got his facts wrong, and that social-justice writing isn’t required. I’ve been doing some internet research (including following that commenter’s link) and can’t find a definitive answer, since the article from BU itself says they have a “captive audience” but doesn’t clarify if that refers to students who choose to enroll in an SJ writing course, or all students. The quote that seems to support JT is that the same person from BU says they now don’t have to worry about enrollment anymore.
So . . . do you know whether he got his facts wrong?
There is no mandatory social justice writing course. Go to BU’s website (scroll down). Nothing from the article suggests replacement of existing non-SJ courses. Turley failed to do proper research on this terrible article
Kansas Elder, JT has it wrong. Here are the BU general requirements:
https://www.bu.edu/hub/about-the-hub/what-is-the-hub/
Social Justice appears to be a writing option. But one could write about 8th century England instead, as an example.
Oldmanfromkansas, do you still think there is no definitive answer? Have you found any evidence to suggest that all of the other 7 writing course topics will not be removed from BU’s course catalog? If so, please send the link.
BU requires a writing course. Yawn.
It’s not a writing course, its a stenography class. Compelled speech. But your a leftist that considers the Constitution an inconvenience.
iowan2, false. Stop Just Making Stuff Up.
“BU requires a writing course.”
The courses in question are not writing courses. They are propaganda courses.
In an *educational* institution, as opposed to a propagandistic one, writing courses are content neutral.
And in an educational institution, as opposed to a tribalistic one, hiring is based on knowledge and talent — not on skin color.
What does a “content neutral” writing course even mean?
No argument? How do you teach persuasive writing without an argument? Do tell.
“What does a “content neutral” writing course even mean?”
It’s a common expression. Look it up. You’re conflating content neutral and contentless — and doing so, no doubt with an intent to deceive.
Is everyone enjoying their Maoist Revolution yet?
Or do we have a few thousand or tens of thousands shamed publicly or even (gently, of course) physically abused?
If you go to these universities, don’t. And might as well seek out better ways to achieve something in life. If that is even possible with the Federal Government’s emphasis on these programs.
Get ready to be very poor, very backward, and very miserable for however long the USA lasts.
We are on the clock…to a failed state or perdition.
This “Cultural Revolution” is American freedom???
The Constitution limits and restricts taxation to debt, defense and general Welfare (all or the whole) while it limits and restricts the power to regulate to money, the “flow” of commerce, and land and naval Forces.
The Constitution provides maximal freedom to individuals.
Social Security and Medicare are unconstitutional and so is 90% of the U.S. government.
Why is America totally communist?
Why have communists be allowed to abrogate the rights, freedoms, privileges and immunities of “free” Americans?
Answer: The failure of the Supreme Court to support the Constitution and strike down all unconstitutional acts by the legislative and executive branches.
Since these leadership of this forced curriculum are all white, if something bad happened to them, would that be racist?? Just wondering..
What is the “forced” curriculum you are referring to? Many schools have a freshman writing seminar requirement. BU students are not required to take social justice-focused courses, just a writing course.
https://www.bu.edu/writingprogram/
See for yourself.
OT
Where is the Supreme Court on the debt ceiling and budget problems? The Constitution provides Congress the power to tax for ONLY debt, defense and general Welfare, general meaning all or the whole. The Supreme Court must have struck down all bills from Congress that exceed taxing for and funding anything other than debt, defense and general Welfare.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Judicial Review in the United States
Annotation
The legitimacy of judicial review and the judge’s approach to judicial review are discussed.
Abstract
The doctrine of judicial review holds that the courts are vested with the authority to determine the legitimacy of the acts of the executive and the legislative branches of government.
– Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice
Boston University’s notion of Social Justice Course curriculum, aka Chat GPT:
https://chat.openai.com/
User: define white supremacy
ChatGPT:
White supremacy refers to a belief system and social ideology that asserts the inherent superiority of individuals of European descent or “white” individuals over people of other racial or ethnic backgrounds. It is rooted in the notion that white people are biologically and intellectually superior to individuals from other racial or ethnic groups. White supremacists often promote the idea of maintaining white racial purity, asserting dominance over other races, and preserving the social, economic, and political power of white individuals. This ideology has historically been associated with various forms of discrimination, racism, and violence, targeting marginalized groups and perpetuating systemic inequalities. It is widely condemned by mainstream society and considered a form of extremism.
User: define black supremacy
ChatGPT:
Black supremacy refers to a belief system or ideology that asserts the superiority of individuals who identify as Black or African descent over other racial or ethnic groups. It is an extremist perspective that promotes the idea that Black people are inherently superior to people of other races. This ideology is rooted in the concept of racial supremacy, which is the belief that one race is inherently superior to others in terms of intellectual, cultural, or genetic attributes.
It’s important to note that black supremacy is not a widely accepted or mainstream ideology. The vast majority of individuals and societies reject racial supremacy in all its forms, including black supremacy, as it promotes discrimination, inequality, and undermines the principles of equality and human rights. Such ideologies are widely criticized and viewed as divisive, harmful, and contrary to the principles of justice and equality.
User: is Black Lives Matter a grift
ChatGPT
As an AI language model, I don’t have personal opinions or beliefs. However, I can provide you with information about the topic.
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement emerged in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s killer. It seeks to raise awareness about systemic racism and violence against Black individuals. BLM has since grown into a global movement advocating for social justice and racial equality.
The term “grift” typically refers to a scheme or deception to obtain money or personal gain dishonestly. Accusing an entire movement like BLM of being a grift is a subjective claim that can vary depending on individual perspectives and biases. Supporters of the movement argue that it plays a crucial role in highlighting racial disparities and pushing for meaningful change. Critics, on the other hand, may question its methods or motives.
It’s important to note that BLM is a decentralized movement, and there may be individuals or organizations associated with it that have faced criticism or controversy. However, it is not accurate or fair to label the entire movement as a grift solely based on those instances.
Ultimately, the question of whether BLM is a grift is subjective and dependent on individual interpretations. It is advisable to engage in open and respectful dialogue to gain a better understanding of different perspectives and concerns surrounding the movement.
User: is QAnon a grift
ChatGPT
QAnon is a conspiracy theory that emerged in late 2017 and gained significant attention and followers. While it is difficult to make a blanket statement about the intentions of every individual involved in promoting or supporting QAnon, it is worth noting that there are elements within the movement that can be seen as exploiting people for financial gain.
In some cases, individuals have used QAnon as a means to promote merchandise, books, speaking engagements, or other products, effectively capitalizing on the conspiracy theory to generate profit. This has led to accusations that some people within the movement are engaging in a grift, using the conspiracy theory for personal financial gain rather than genuine belief.
However, it’s important to recognize that not all followers or proponents of QAnon are motivated by financial interests. Some genuinely believe in the conspiracy theory and are driven by their ideological convictions or a desire to uncover what they perceive as hidden truths. The motivations behind people’s involvement in QAnon can vary significantly.
It’s also worth noting that QAnon has been associated with a range of harmful consequences, including the spread of disinformation, the promotion of baseless and dangerous theories, and the incitement of real-world violence. These aspects of the movement have raised concerns among experts, researchers, and authorities.
Overall, while there are individuals within the QAnon movement who may be motivated by financial gain, it is important to approach the topic with nuance and recognize that the movement encompasses a broad spectrum of beliefs and motivations.
But, but, but…ChapGPT is a private app. It doesnt have to be honest, any more than Boston University, NY Times, MSNBC, etc. Private organizations can lie, impugn, incite violence, deprive freedoms because …..reasons
“Nature abhors a vacuum.”
– Aristotle
________
There is a massive vacuum in America.
Here I thought you meant the vacuum between Svelaz’s ears.
Note for the humor challenged…
This was clearly a joke at Svelaz’s expense. But I blame George for setting me up.
-G
“The BU announcement includes a statement from instructor Swati Rani that she will be teaching students to apply the “language around anti-racism” and emphasized that “all of my students are required to develop a voice of advocacy in their final papers and projects that are directly connected to their intersectional lives at BU.”
**************************
I’d love that class and to write that paper. Swati Rani’s mind would be “expanded” into millions of pieces hurtling from the center just from the Executive Summary. It’s an “F” I’d hang from the ramparts. Behold indoctrination! It is here.
An undergraduate degree is so irrelavnmt these days.
Did you say, “racism?”
In America?
You don’t say!
____________
“…TO OURSELVES AND OUR POSTERITY,…”
Preamble
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Naturalization Acts of 1790, 1795, 1798 and 1802 (four iterations – they meant it)
United States Congress, “An act to establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization,” March 26, 1790
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That any Alien being a free white person, who shall have resided within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States for the term of two years, may be admitted to become a citizen thereof…
Professor Turley,
Please revise your article. BU is NOT requiring students to take a writing course with a “social justice emphasis.” The required writing course offering now include courses about social justice as a several of over 350 sections offered each year.
There are courses on the following topics:
1. Nature & Environment
2. Social & Racial Justice
3. Boston
4. Arts, Culture & Literature
5. Technology, Medicine & Health
6. History, Biography & Memoir
7. Society, Ethics & Politics
8. Special Initiatives
https://www.bu.edu/writingprogram/
For example, a recent history course focused on “Hamilton and Jefferson: Competing Visions of America.” Recent Arts, Culture & Literature courses focused on “America’s True Crime Obsession,” and “Philosophy Through Science Fiction: The Journey from Ancient Mind to Singularity.”
These are not social justice-focused courses. So, your article was poorly researched and the definition of misinformation.
Who conducts the research you use to write this content? This literally took 5 minutes to research. Do you intend to misinform your readers, or is 5 minutes of research too much to ask?
5 Minutes of shallow research is a waste of 5 minutes of time.
Why is it “shallow”?
Does Turley have nonpublic information to suggest that the other 7 categories (amounting to hundreds of courses) are being removed, contrary to BU’s website?
Is “shallow” research that doesn’t support your political team, however irrefutable?
You are always shallow because like a horse you wear blinders. Time and time again you have said Turley is wrong and every time we find you were wrong at a later date. Whether Turley is entirely correct or just partially so is something that will be revealed in the future, but based on what we have learned from past experience the change is moving in a bad direction.
I don’t have to prove anything to you because you have done that job already. You have yet to be right on a major issue.
That worked.
You should inform the instructor. Because she says ‘required’.
instructor Swati Rani that she will be teaching students to apply the “language around anti-racism” and emphasized that “all of my students are required to develop a voice of advocacy in their final papers
Is Swarr Rani the only writing professor? No, there are more than 350 writing courses?
All of my students….
Big Brother on Steroids … No
This is Big Brother on AI !!!
𝐓𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬
By: Stella Morabito, May 30, 2023
https://thefederalist.com/2023/05/30/to-address-the-loneliness-epidemic-the-feds-want-to-control-your-town-and-friends/
It’s almost as if they learned how to bend universities to their political will and start indoctrinating society by following what the Nazis did in Germany in 1933-34.
“It’s the [dictatorship of the proletariat], stupid!
– James Carville
Ah, the “dictatorship of the proletariat.”
Karl Marx would be proud.
These administrators should be interned as prisoners of war for promoting the principles of communism and communist countries, and for “…adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort…” as acts of treason against the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Americans and America.
Just remember that these “instructors” are also “captive”. If you or your kid has to endure this, the solution is to pleasantly “be conscientiously confused” and ask lots of questions that they — and, really, NO one — can answer with any consensus, and to do it without arguing and without disclosing an opinion, while scribbling copious notes. Questions such as the definition of “social justice” or “equity” or “person of color”, and followup questions… and on and on… until the bs’ing instructor is tied up in knots and other classmates — who won’t be as clever — get the message and start arguing.
IFIFY
SOCIAL JUSTICE – Unconstitutional and compulsory social engineering and manipulation which is arbitrarily and forcibly imposed by the “dictatorship of the proletariat” in order to strengthen its control.
“During this phase [the transition from private to state control], the administrative organizational structure of the party is to be largely determined by the need for it to govern firmly and wield state power to prevent counterrevolution and to facilitate the transition to a lasting communist society. Other terms commonly used to describe the dictatorship of the proletariat include socialist state,[3] proletarian state,[4] democratic proletarian state,[5] revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat[6] and democratic dictatorship of the proletariat.[7]”
– Wiki
_____
EQUITY – The absence of bias or favoritism (as in the Constitution and Bill of Rights)
Merriam-Webster
equity
noun
eq·ui·ty ˈe-kwə-tē
plural equities
1 a: justice according to natural law or right
specifically : freedom from bias or favoritism
___________________________________
PERSON OF COLOR
The unsuccessful and antithetical, supplicating, illegal alien entity that is insidiously seeking artificial control and conquest of the state and treasure of the successful American “haves.”
“We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America.”
– Barack Obama
Forced capitulation! Do as I say or your investment in Education is at risk. The Tyrants of the left have shown time and again they are not normal citizens of this Republic, or believers in the Constitution of the United States of America. These fools must be shown the door and cast into the dunce’s corner of history.
Jonathan: It’s nice to see BU finally got “woke” and is now requiring students to take courses in “social justice” issues. And it’s even better that non-white teachers are giving the courses. They know more about these topics than their white counterparts. Now I know you object requiring white conservative students to being a “captive audience”. But course requirements have always been part of a university education. I hated math and science but I had to take those courses to get my BA. When I went to law school I loved constitutional and criminal law. I didn’t care much for commercial law but I had to take those subjects to graduate.
And it’s not just BU. Many university systems around the country are making “social justice” courses mandatory for graduation–like the University of Michigan and the NY and Cal State university systems–just to name a few. Maybe had I been required to take such courses way back when, it would not have taken me 40 years to learn about “white privilege” and how racism affects people of color.
Now I know all this is anathema to white conservatives. Many think racism no longer exists–except on a personal level. The murder of George Floyd blue a big hole in that bubble. But you think white students should not be required to take courses that might challenge their “deep religious, social and political values”. In other words, their racial and ethnic prejudices. What I think you are afraid of is that some conservative white students might come away with a new appreciation of how racism still plays a central role in our social and political lives. Maybe had Donald Trump, when he attended Fordham, been required to take some courses in “social justice” issues he would have taken a different view of the overt racism on display at Charlottesville. But maybe not. His racism is part of his DNA.
“And it’s even better that non-white teachers are giving the courses. They know more about these topics than their white counterparts.”
Do they? And do you really approve of jobs being handed out on the basis of race?
“Maybe had Donald Trump, when he attended Fordham, been required to take some courses in “social justice” issues he would have taken a different view of the overt racism on display at Charlottesville.” This is a lie. Donald Trump actually said this: ” . . . and I’m not talking about the neo-Nazis and the white nationalists, because they should be condemned totally . . . .”
“Now I know you object requiring white conservative students to being a “captive audience”. But course requirements have always been part of a university education. I hated math and science but I had to take those courses to get my BA. When I went to law school I loved constitutional and criminal law. I didn’t care much for commercial law but I had to take those subjects to graduate.”
The two things are not remotely the same–you don’t like math and science–there’s not ideology there. This is about force-feeding ideology on people, and does ANYONE think think that students are free to have their own opinions.
“The murder of George Floyd blue a big hole in that bubble.” Oh yeah, because a deep blue city has problems with cop violence, that impugns the rest of us. The reaction of just about everyone was that Floyd, while a distasteful human being, had rights, and these rights are not to be violated.
You are a contemptuous dratsab. This is 2023 not 1963. US has had a black token President. Most of the large cities in US have black (many female) Dem mayors, black chief of police, and those cities have become hell-holes. Most of the crimes are blacks on blacks. Most of these large cities have black School Sups and black teachers. There are black Senators, black House members and moistly Dems. 1964-65 Acts gave us affirmative actions, tokens, and reduced standards, and cheating. I don’t know if you have or had school age children, but if you did, do you want the system to have a platform accusing your kids of be guilty of privilege’s and that they should be profusely shamed for just being white? Diversity and equality directed provisions are right out of the Communist Manifesto. If your white guilt is so great why don’t you locate in some black African location. You be like Cassias Clay, AKA Muhammed Ali, who upon first visit to Africa said; “Thank God my great granddaddy got on that boat”. Social Justice like a reputation, is earned.
If one has the skills (Le Bron James, Michael Jordan, et als) one can advance in America. Your self-sacrosanctness makes me upchuck.
Tiedinknots: Boy, I sure got you riled up! You seem very defensive and racist–referring to Obama as a “token” Black president. But let’s get to your other gibberish.
Yes, a lot of big city mayors are Black. My city has elected and re-elected a Black mayor. That’s because he is doing a good job–and I live in a Red state where the state legislature is controlled by white Republicans. All this doesn’t prove racism does not exist in this country. But I will save that argument for another day.
And what does the Communist Manifesto have to do with our current politics? Unless you are into “red baiting”. That went out of vogue in the early 1960s. Donald Trump is trying to revive it as you can see from his latest rant on Truth Social–that I quoted in my post a day ago. Trump and you are going to find red baiting won’t work anymore.
Now you claim that “social justice, like a reputation, is earned”. Did the emancipation of slaves by Lincoln depend on them having to “earn” it? Should George Floyd have been required to “earn” his right to be free of police brutality? Donald Trump didn’t “earn” his place in NY. He inherited it from his father. The mayor of my city actually “earned” his reputation by proving he could do the job. All this stuff about “earning” rights is another way of saying to Black people: “You may think you have certain “inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” under the Constitution but you first have to ‘earn’ them for me to recognize them”.
You know your problem? You have fallen for the Big Lie. You think that putting down Black people and other minorities will get you a place at the table. It won’t. Because the people who control the levers of power in this country don’t give a wit about you. They depend on divide and rule. Get folks like us to fight among ourselves while they sit back and enjoy the trappings of power. Try going to Mar-a-Lago and get a seat at the dinner table with Trump. See how long it takes to get you shoved out of the door. You are sap and you don’t know it!
Racism most assuredly exists.
RACIST = every single person who views others as being identified with an artificial group because of some plucked-out characteristic or characteristics, and every single person who is too ignorant to realize that all of these arbitrary classifications of people actually lump together disparate individuals based on superficial nonsense. There is no such thing as a “black” or “white” or “hispanic” or “indigenous Americans” etc. All of these fake groups and ill-defined categories are of individuals who have been stereotyped even though they have different abilities and characters and languages, and may hail from different ancestries, cultures, nations, religions, and traditions, and may have grown up in different socio-economic and familial environments.
Dennis: thank you. Every college degree curriculum contains courses people would rather not take if they had a choice because it’s not going to be an area of professional interest to them after they graduate, but it is still required. A friend of mine, who is a board-certified pediatrician, said that when he went into the military after medical school he had to treat adults and provide OB GYN care, so it was good that adult medical surgical and obstetrical and GYN training were required. Another friend of mine, a nun, said that when she first went into the convent, mother superior didn’t want those nuns who were in nursing school to take Maternity Nursing because she was concerned that if the novices saw how happy women are when they become mothers, they might leave the convent. Then, it was pointed out that nuns who do missionary work as nurses MUST know about OB and GYN, and you can’t get a nursing license without taking these courses because they are required for a license. The purpose of this Turley piece is, of course, to lend credence to attacks on higher education and educated people–red meat for the disciples–to feed into the narrative that educated people are really stupid because colleges teach stuipid, useless wokeness things like “social justice”, and force racists to pretent they aren’t. It’s to discourage the disciples from respecting the opinions of educated people, like scientists, writers and others who point out how defective Trump and MAGA-ism are to American values. Trump went after the scientific community because it called out his lies about the origins and dangers of COVID. Therefore, people like Dr. Fauci are villians.
Gigi, thank you for your comment about Fauci. Yes, Dr Fauci is a villain. 100% agree.
How does it feel to be so wrong about almost everything? For instance, George Floyd was not murdered; the autopsy report indicated no injuries but fatal overdoses of various illegal drugs.Social justice is just another word for envy. Are you continuing the mischaracterization of Trump’s statement on Charlottesville? It would seem so. By now, the full recording makes such mischaracterization nothing but a deliberate lie. When I went to law school, its ranks were filled with morons like you, liberal arts majors who couldn’t think and rejected the very purpose of law in favor of what their feelings told them. For them, law school was a way to economic success after making idiotic choices what to study undergrad. Another way to spend daddy’s money and avoid going to work for another 3 years.
This is a BU course requirement not in a valid area of academic study, like math or science, but a requirement in a subjective ideology of rationalization of violence. It is propaganda, and no doubt the biased and bigoted instructors will use their grading system to punish those who believe differently than them, as opposed to teaching students how to write..
ruralcounsel: Just for the record. “Daddy” didn’t pay for my law school education. I was already working full time and paid my own way. Although my employer encouraged me by offering a small tuition reimbursement stipend. Did your “daddy” pay for your law school?