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http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/08/opinion/sunday/a-confession-of-liberal-intolerance.html?_r=0
WE progressives believe in diversity, and we want women, blacks, Latinos, gays and Muslims at the table — er, so long as they aren't conservatives. Universities are the bedrock of progressive values, but the one kind of diversity that universities disregard is ideological and religious. We're fine with people who don't look like us, as long as they think like us.
O.K., that's a little harsh. But consider George Yancey, a sociologist who is black and evangelical. "Outside of academia I faced more problems as a black," he told me. "But inside academia I face more problems as a Christian, and it is not even close."
I've been thinking about this because on Facebook recently I wondered aloud whether universities stigmatize conservatives and undermine intellectual diversity. The scornful reaction from my fellow liberals proved the point.
"Much of the 'conservative' worldview consists of ideas that are known empirically to be false," said Carmi. "The truth has a liberal slant," wrote Michelle. "Why stop there?" asked Steven. "How about we make faculties more diverse by hiring idiots?"
To me, the conversation illuminated primarily liberal arrogance — the implication that conservatives don't have anything significant to add to the discussion. My Facebook followers have incredible compassion for war victims in South Sudan, for kids who have been trafficked, even for abused chickens, but no obvious empathy for conservative scholars facing discrimination.
The stakes involve not just fairness to conservatives or evangelical Christians, not just whether progressives will be true to their own values, not just the benefits that come from diversity (and diversity of thought is arguably among the most important kinds), but also the quality of education itself. When perspectives are unrepresented in discussions, when some kinds of thinkers aren't at the table, classrooms become echo chambers rather than sounding boards — and we all lose.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 29 2016, @10:59PM
The Summary makes valid points in regards to Liberal Exclusion, but it's hard to comment and critique these actions within a liberal space due to this arrogance.
Oh, you poor dear! It must be so difficult for you to comment here, what with all the arrogance. I guess we should have posted a trigger warning on anything submitted by Runaway, to point out that tender conservatives may have their feefees hurt, or that they may suffer recurrence of PTSD incurred in college. Yes, I can see how it can be a nightmare to be so wrong about so much, and I can see how you might come to blame those you don't understand for the pain your own ignorance inflicts upon yourself.
I can see one way only that you might escape your condition: become a liberal! It is not that hard! A bit of education, some self-awareness and social acumen are all that is required! And we will be glad to have you join us! But you will have to stop being an anti-science racist misogynist, however.