A freshman at Princeton University, an Ivy League school in New Jersey, penned an article in Quillette discussing the hostile climate that the university fosters in 21st century America. Titled “Diversity for the Sake of Democracy,” Carrie Pritt started the article with the following words: “Stand up if you identify as Caucasian.” Pritt follows this hook by explaining how the leaders of an orientation event deliberately divided people into various demographics.
Pritt follows that this was part of a “diversity” event:
This mandatory orientation event was designed to help us appreciate our diversity as a student body during the first week of classes. But what did it really accomplish? In compressing us into isolated communities based on our race, religion or gender, the minister belittled every other piece of our identities. He faced a crowd of singular young adults and essentially told them that their heritage outweighed their humanity. The message was clear: know your kind and stick to it. Don’t risk offending people from other backgrounds by trying to understand their worldviews.
She continues by explaining how Princeton has become “disturbingly homogenous” in its political leanings from faculty and students, citing political correctness and walk-outs from non-progressive speakers on campus. In addition, she mentions how professors and students openly referred to Donald Trump supporters as “uneducated bigots” and said anyone who opposed Hillary Clinton is sexist. Pritt further explains that this is not only dangerous for college campuses, but also the United States as a whole.
This concerns not only my university and others like it, but the future of our nation as a democracy. The less we respect our individuality, the more likely we are to blindly follow partisan values. This prompts an extremist us-vs-them mentality that builds barriers between Republicans and Democrats, African-Americans and Caucasians, and the wealthy and the poor. Because we’re afraid of considering any opinion that is foreign to our demographic, we can’t hear any voices except those that agree with us. This is especially true in light of the recent election. Trump’s supporters ask each other who could possibly trust Clinton, and Clinton’s supporters ask each other who would dare validate Trump; but neither group finds answers because of the wall between them.
Pritt ends her article by saying, “diversity is the celebration of individuality and nonconformity.” She is correct. The diversity of ideas remains integral to the republic; senselessly dividing the nation by complexion, sexuality, biological sex, and other physical features creates a tribalist society that threatens the institutions that keep us intact. While many Democrats are fighting back against identity politics, the issue remains apparent from confirmation hearings of Trump’s nominees and within the race for DNC chair.
The diversity of ideas remains integral to the republic; senselessly dividing the nation by complexion, sexuality, biological sex, and other physical features creates a tribalist society that threatens the institutions that keep us intact.
As Pritt keenly observes, Princeton is not the only institution that suffers from these problems. Most college campuses ranging from the Claremont Colleges to University of Missouri continue to struggle with progressive diversity programs that hurt rather than help bring students together. More college campuses need students like Pritt to speak truth to power and remain fearless in the face of tyrannical, fascist leftism.
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