Harvard Professor Ruth Wisse recently wrote about “The Closing of the Collegiate Mind.” One cannot help but notice the similarity of the title to the bestselling book “The Closing of the American Mind” by Allan Bloom.
She reminds us of a time when intellectual debate was allowed on university campuses even when it was often prevented in the political arena. Today, she argues, the roles have reversed. “Open debate is now protected only in the polity; In universities, muggers prevail.”
She cites many examples. Brandeis prevented the awarding of an honorary degree to a proponent of women’s rights under Islam just as they had in the past in preventing former U.N. ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick from receiving such a degree. New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly was kept from speaking at Brown University in November. Azuza Pacific cancelled a lecture by Charles Murray. Harassment from students and faculty at Rutgers University forced Condoleezza Rice from speaking at this year’s convocation.
I might also add others examples. Dr. Ben Carson had to drop his invitation to Johns Hopkins this year. Two years ago, controversy surrounded his commencement address at Emory University. Many wanted this world-renown neurosurgeon uninvited because he believed in intelligent design.
These and other universities have two problems. First, these spineless administrators haven’t stood up to those who would limit debate in the academy. Second, many of them have actually encouraged those demanding ideological conformity.
Of course much of this has leaked into the political realm. Jonah Goldberg talks about “The War on Evil Thinking.” Anyone who disagrees with the current political correctness is labeled as evil. Critics of Obamacare are called “un-American.” Thought crime is alive and well in America, not only in the academy but in the political world as well.
We need and deserve a robust debate about the issues in this country. It is time for students, faculty, administrators, and politicians to resist the totalitarian temptation.