Free Speech Is The Victim When Colleges Prioritize Fake Diversity Over Education

Leftists love democracy until they’re asked to entertain free speech.

According to Politico, diversity programs are now considered a “Red Scare for red states” and are targeted by Republican-led assemblies that aim to remove so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) initiatives as the Supreme Court prepares to deliver a decision on affirmative action. In this context, conservative lawmakers argue that it is time to stop talking about diversity, equity and inclusion to save free speech on college campuses.

However, Politico did not mention a recent episode at Stanford University that showcases how DEI programs regularly silence dissenting speech. At an event organized by the school’s Federalist Society, Fifth Circuit Judge Kyle Duncan was heckled by left-wing law students and university administrators remained silent. Tirien Steinbach, the law school’s diversity dean, even joined in to criticize the judge’s speech instead of admonishing the disruptive students. As the Wall Street Journal editorial board stated, “Rather than promoting diversity, DEI officers enforce ideological conformity.”

The rise of DEI programs has coincided with an increase in tuition fees and a decrease in academic engagement as universities have hired more DEI personnel than faculty in some cases. According to the Heritage Foundation, the average major university now has 45 DEI staff members, while some universities have over 150. Furthermore, DEI administrators are paid top-dollar compensation packages that significantly exceed those given to full-time professors.

DEI mania is a threat to free speech, as showcased in the Stanford incident, and needs to be addressed on college campuses.