Right-wingers on Twitter are ecstatic over the forced resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay on Tuesday after conservative news outlets uncovered several more plagiarism incidents — the first three examples apparently weren’t enough — but trust me: Gay will be just fine. Her ousting will likely end up being the best thing to happen to her in every way.
That’s because Gay possesses the ultimate privilege in modern America: She boldly and unapologetically claims to be an irreparable victim of her country, and she has the dominant institutions on her side to reinforce this message.
True, Gay is a member of the wealthiest and most elite, serving as the president of an Ivy League university. But that’s irrelevant.
She’s a woman. She’s black.
The only way she could possibly be more powerful is if she used a wheelchair. (Not that I want to give her any ideas.) This is an America created by a left that has seized every cultural center — the entertainment industry, the news media, and, most importantly, academia. If you can claim to be oppressed, you’re owed something. A lot of it. (See my book Privileged Victims.)
That entitlement was perfectly reflected in Gay’s very resignation letter, which hopefully no one bothers to run through TurnItIn. “[I]t has been distressing,” she wrote to the campus at large, “to have doubt cast on my commitments to confronting hate and to upholding scholarly rigor — two bedrock values that are fundamental to who I am — and frightening to be subjected to personal attacks and threats fueled by racial animus.”
It’s not that she did anything wrong. It’s the racial animus she faces!
Nowhere in the brief missive did Gay even bother to account for her academic transgressions (which under different circumstances would be simply referred to as “fraud”) nor apologize for them. On the contrary, her only expression of regret was that the student body wouldn’t get to have her as president anymore. “I had hoped with all my heart to lead us on that journey, in partnership with all of you,” she continued. “As I now return to the faculty, and to the scholarship and teaching that are the lifeblood of what we do, I pledge to continue working alongside you to build the community we all deserve.”
Gay is no longer president, and it is sad. But she pledges. She will continue. She will work. She will build. Alongside you.
The courage and fortitude it takes to be a self-professed victim in America is truly awe-inspiring.
The opportunities for Gay won’t dry up with her resignation. They will surely multiply — a book deal, TV appearances, speaking gigs, and on and on.
Recall the last time a prominent leftist lost some influential post and disappeared into obscurity. I’ll wait.
No, what happens is they experience a temporary setback — like a resignation allowed with undeserved dignity — and within days, it’s announced that they’re “excited” to join the board of some prestigious organization or take a new lucrative position at an exclusive institution created explicitly for the celebrated victim.
They’re never gone for long. They can’t be. There’s too much work to be done. Too much building to do. Alongside you.
Enjoy the little victory while it lasts, right-wingers. Gay isn’t going anywhere. She’s here to stay and with more power than she had yesterday.
How does Gay’s resignation shed light on the deeper issue within society?
Tacks.” Gay’s resignation comes after conservative news outlets exposed multiple instances of plagiarism, adding to the already existing incidents.
The reaction from right-wingers on social media has been overwhelmingly positive. They see Gay’s resignation as a victory for conservative values and a blow to the liberal elite. However, it is essential to approach this celebration with caution, as it reveals a deeper issue within society.
Gay’s position of power and influence as the president of Harvard University should not be overshadowed by her gender or race. While it is crucial to acknowledge the challenges faced by marginalized groups, it is equally important to evaluate individuals based on their merits and achievements, rather than solely on their identity.
By proclaiming herself as a victim, Gay plays into the narrative that the left has created, where victimhood is seen as a form of power. In this version of America, if one can claim to be oppressed, they are entitled to special treatment and privileges. This perverse notion is a disservice to the progress we have made as a society.
The fact that Gay’s resignation has been celebrated by right-wingers should serve as a reminder of the deep divisions within our country. It illustrates the extent to which identity politics has seeped into the national discourse. Instead of valuing diversity and inclusivity, these celebrations perpetuate a divisive and polarizing narrative.
It is imperative that we move past this notion of victimhood and focus on creating a society that rewards hard work, intellect, and integrity. Meritocracy should be the guiding principle, regardless of an individual’s gender or race. By allowing identity politics to dominate our discussions, we risk further dividing our nation and undermining the progress we have made thus far.
Gay’s forced resignation may be seen as a victory for some, but it should prompt us to reflect on the values we hold as a society. We must strive for a more inclusive and merit-based system that judges individuals based on their qualifications and actions, rather than their identity. Only then can we truly achieve equality and fairness for all.
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