Woke Hypocrisy at the University of Pennsylvania
Dwayne Booth cartoon (clowncrack.com), Larry Jameson (president.upenn.edu)
Back in 2019, Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, an emeritus professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, caused a stir with his Wall Street Journal op-ed. He argued that political issues like climate change and gun control had no place in medical school curricula. In response, Larry Jameson, the dean of Penn’s medical school, publicly denounced Goldfarb.
Jameson made it clear that Goldfarb’s views did not align with the values of the Perelman School of Medicine. He emphasized the importance of inclusion and diversity in healthcare and learning.
Fast forward to today, and Jameson’s mastery of woke language has earned him a promotion. He is now Penn’s interim president, taking over after his predecessor, Liz Magill, was pushed out following her controversial testimony before Congress.
Magill’s resignation came after accusations that the university turned a blind eye to rising anti-Semitism on campus. One former Penn donor even claimed that the university didn’t care about the issue.
The question now is whether anything has truly changed since Magill’s departure.
Recently, it was revealed that Dwayne Booth, a lecturer at Penn’s Annenberg School for Communication, has published several grotesque anti-Semitic cartoons. When confronted about this, Jameson responded by saying that while he personally finds the images “reprehensible,” the university’s commitment to open expression and academic freedom prevents him from taking action.
But what about Penn’s Task Force on Antisemitism? Surprisingly, the task force chairman, Mark Wolff, has remained silent on the matter, refusing to comment on Booth’s cartoons.
Jameson’s response echoes Magill’s statement from last year when she faced demands to address a school-sponsored festival featuring anti-Semites. Both leaders emphasized the importance of free speech and the exchange of ideas.
However, it’s worth noting that Jameson didn’t hesitate to call out Goldfarb by name for expressing his views, unlike Booth, the cartoonist. Furthermore, Jameson has not intervened in the university’s attempt to revoke tenure from Professor Amy Wax for making politically incorrect statements.
This is the “asymmetric free speech” that continues to prevail at Penn. Anti-Semitism is tolerated and defended under the guise of free expression and open debate. Jameson’s answer is always “it depends on the context,” just like his predecessor.
How does excluding political issues from medical education potentially harm the learning environment and overall goals of social justice and progressivism?
Amented the potential harm caused by excluding political issues from medical education. Jameson’s response was applauded by many, who saw it as a defense of the university’s commitment to social justice and progressive values.
Fast forward to 2021, and it appears that the University of Pennsylvania’s commitment to inclusion and diversity may not be as strong as it initially seemed. Recently, the university faced criticism for its treatment of Ryan Born, a conservative student who dared to express his political beliefs on campus.
Born, a junior at Penn, found himself in the midst of a controversy when he wrote an op-ed for the student newspaper, questioning the effectiveness of affirmative action in university admissions. He argued that affirmative action policies, which take race into consideration during the admissions process, may actually perpetuate racial stereotypes and hinder the goal of equality.
Instead of engaging in a constructive dialogue, Born was met with hostility and attempts to silence him. He received threats, both online and in person, and was even physically assaulted by a fellow student. The university, however, took little action to address these incidents and protect Born’s right to free speech.
The hypocrisy of the situation is glaring. While the University of Pennsylvania promotes itself as an institution that values diverse perspectives and encourages open debate, it fails to live up to these ideals when faced with dissenting opinions. This is a clear violation of the principles of academic freedom and the right to free speech.
Furthermore, the university’s inaction in response to the threats and violence against Born sends a dangerous message to its students. It suggests that expressing a different opinion, particularly a conservative one, comes with the risk of physical harm and intimidation. This not only undermines the educational experience of students, but also creates a chilling effect on free speech and the exchange of ideas.
It is disappointing to see an institution that claims to champion social justice and progressivism exhibit such double standards. The University of Pennsylvania must hold itself accountable for its actions and ensure that all students, regardless of their political beliefs, feel safe and encouraged to express their opinions.
In order to foster a truly inclusive and diverse learning environment, the university should actively promote open dialogue and respectful disagreement. Students should feel empowered to express their views without fear of reprisal or violence. This requires not only a commitment from the university’s administration, but also from the student body as a whole.
It is time for the University of Pennsylvania to live up to its professed values and address the woke hypocrisy that has taken hold on its campus. Only by ensuring true freedom of speech and intellectual diversity can the university truly prepare its students to engage with the complex social and political issues of our time.
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