M.I.T. Debate Question: Should Academic DEI Programs Be Abolished

Among the traditions that Washington and Lee University has celebrated for generations are: Freedom of Speech, Civil Discourse, Mutual Respect and Academic Excellence.  The University has long been known for providing a Classical Liberal Arts Education.  This goal has been under assault throughout higher education as traditional disciplines, particularly in the humanities, have been nudged aside by new courses that are based on various aspects of human identity, such as skin color, sex, gender, ethnicity, etc.  Alongside this, there has emerged a pervasive administrative protectorate clearly intent on creating welcoming admissions and campus cultures.  These are typically identified under the label of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion or DEI.

Lately, DEI has been criticized for a variety of reasons, among these is compelled speech.  About 18 months ago, The Generals Redoubt joined with similar alumni groups from Cornell, Davidson, Princeton  and the University of Virginia to create a national umbrella group known as the Alumni Free Speech Alliance (AFSA).  AFSA now has sixteen group members and hopes to double the count by year end 2023.  Three goals are emphasized:  Academic Freedom, Free Speech and Viewpoint Diversity.  In particular, some of its members have become interested in presenting debates on various topics of critical interest to the current generation of students.  For instance, Cornell FSA recently conducted a program on Climate Change that was heard in person or through live streaming by over 1400 attendees, with many more to follow as the recording is distributed through a variety of AFSA member web sites.  

Coming up this Tuesday, April 4th in the evening, the M.I.T Free Speech Alliance is presenting a debate on the question “Should Academic DEI Programs be Abolished?”  Information on the program particulars, in-person attendance and access through live-streaming is found below. The M.I.T. group has taken the view that it does not have a partisan position on this matter and can best serve the public’s interest in higher education by providing a debate on the issue.  The Generals Redoubt, which endorses the non-partisan and debate approach, is serving as one of 20+ cosponsors, which include other AFSA group members and interested non-profits.  We hope you will watch the debate on the video link starting at minute 32.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elG_zyZya5g

Sincerely yours,
Tom Rideout
Thomas P. Rideout, Chairman
The Generals Redoubt
Protecting Our History-Assuring Our Future

Debate: Should Academic DEI Programs be Abolished?

Date and Time: Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. EDT
Location: Wong Auditorium (Tang Center, Building E51), 70 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA
Resolution: “Resolved, that academic DEI programs should be abolished.”

Arguing for the affirmative: 

• Heather Mac Donald, Thomas W. Smith Fellow, Manhattan Institute
• Patanjali (Pat) Kambhampati, Professor of Chemistry, McGill University

Arguing for the negative: 

• Pamela Denise Long, CEO, Youthcentrix Therapy Services and contributor, Newsweek
• Karith Foster, Founder, INVERSITY Solutions

Moderator: Nadine Strossen, Professor of Law Emerita, New York Law School and past president, American Civil Liberties Union