Not long ago, a University of Oregon professor announced a writing assignment. Students were told to choose an issue that was controversial, and write an argument in favor of either side of the issue. Students were told that they must choose a topic that had two valid sides. The professor announced that some topics, like gay marriage or abortion couldn't be chosen, because there is only one valid argument or side to these issues.
Does this make you cringe? It should. One would think that a liberal arts college would encourage a diversity of opinion. In this case, the professor forbid even a discussion of two of the most controversial - indeed, divisive - topics that our nation is dealing with today.
What are we teaching our students? Certainly not to think.
The Heritage Foundation recently posted what follows. Our liberal institutions of higher learning no longer even allow a diversity of opinion:
One student from Swarthmore
said: “What really bothered me is, the whole idea is that at a liberal
arts college, we need to be hearing a diversity of opinion. I don’t
think should be tolerating conservative views
because that dominant culture embeds these deep inequalities in our
society.”
It is time to speak up. Get involved. When you hear things that disturb you, tell others.
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