The Corner – National Review

The fundamental authoritarianism of the progressives has spilled over on free speech. Old liberals mostly took the I may disagree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it idea to heart, but no longer. The new line is Why tolerate speech that could obstruct our plans?

That intolerance was on display recently at Duke University. After one member of the Divinity School faculty sent around an e-mail urging all of her colleagues to go to one of those training sessions where there is an drumbeat for lefty beliefs on how racist America is, another, Professor Paul Griffiths responded with an e-mail urging them not to waste their time on it. His words were blunt. If you think that academic freedom still extends to blunt criticism of such progressive sacred cows as diversity training, think again.

Griffiths was promptly attacked by the Dean and the professor who had sent around the original e-mail went boo-hooing to the universitys administration with a complaint about harassment. Rather than face the torture of an investigation run by other lefties who would love taking his scalp, Griffiths has resigned.

I write about this ugly case in todays Martin Center article.

The Griffiths case is remarkably similar to that of Marquette professor John McAdams, who faces termination for having had the temerity to question a young woman on his faculty over her handling of a student who wondered why her class wasnt going to discuss same-sex marriage. Free speech and vigorous debate on college campuses? Not if it might offend a progressive who can easily take revenge by filing charges. Of course, the reverse never happens leftists can and do say anything without fear of repercussions. And thats the way it should be.

As for diversity of thought at Duke, I think its a sure bet that the replacement for Griffiths will be a true believing progressive.

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The Corner - National Review