To the Editor:
I am deeply disturbed by your recent article, “Should Colleges Make Anti-Racism Part of Their Mission?” (The Chronicle, March 11.) The objections to University of Massachusetts-Boston’s clear and open reconsideration of the institutional mission statement are dishonest, ideologically distorted misrepresentations of basic facts and realities. Your article unfortunately misses this fundamental point.
First, a commitment to anti-racism especially in 2022 parallels state and federal laws including the U.S. Constitution, its Amendments, and the historical pattern of judicial decisions. It is not “political nor ideological activism.” Nor is it “woke indoctrination,” whatever that means — nothing in fact. That is right-wing partisan nonsense.
Second, this is why more than 400 members of the campus community wish to serve on updating the statement of institutional commitments, and only 75 signed “an open letter of opposition written by some colleagues from the College of Science and Mathematics.” And why no one would defend or elaborate on the statement.
Third, the fact that impetus for misrepresentation and protest against the law of the land is propelled by right-wing organizations that are part of a well-funded national dark money campaign to undemocratize the U.S. and literally to ban all with which they do not agree is clear testimony to the above. The anti-genuine free speech political ideology of the Foundation for Individual rights in Education and American Council of Trustees and Alumni are well known.
You also miss the point in your effort to point to a sea-change from 1967 to the present. The basic laws of the land, the commitments of the ACLU, and the general vision of almost all legitimate universities have not changed. But the contemporary context and relevance of refining mission, visions, and real policies have. That is exactly what the fearful right wingers object to.
Harvey J. Graff
Professor Emeritus of English and History
Ohio State University
Columbus