Students at Emory University were traumatized by the recent appearance of "Trump 2016" chalk messages on campus sidewalks, which they and the school president himself deemed a racist microaggression.
Reason.com reports that the special snowflakes -- er, students -- rushed with their fears and tender feelings to Emory President James Wagner, who hastened to reassure students campus-wide that the "chalkings" would be dealt with as swiftly and seriously as would a terror attack. Here is his email statement in full, with commentary interspersed:
Dear Emory Community,
Yesterday I received a visit from 40 to 50 student protesters upset by the unexpected chalkings on campus sidewalks and some buildings yesterday morning, in this case referencing Donald Trump. The students shared with me their concern that these messages were meant to intimidate rather than merely to advocate for a particular candidate, having appeared outside of the context of a Georgia election or campus campaign activity. During our conversation, they voiced their genuine concern and pain in the face of this perceived intimidation.
Pain and intimidation. From an election-related chalking.
By diversity, students and administrators today mean non-white. By respect, they mean opinions with which they agree.
As an academic community, we must value and encourage the expression of ideas, vigorous debate, speech, dissent, and protest. At the same time, our commitment to respect, civility, and inclusion calls us to provide a safe environment that inspires and supports courageous inquiry. It is important that we recognize, listen to, and honor the concerns of these students, as well as faculty and staff who may feel similarly.
Any commitment to "courageous inquiry" and the values of free expression and vigorous debate disappeared when colleges and universities decided to obsess over becoming "safe environments" instead of institutions of higher learning.
On the heels of work begun by students last fall and advanced last month through the Racial Justice Retreat and subsequent working groups, Emory is taking a number of significant steps:
• Immediate refinements to certain policy and procedural deficiencies (for example, our bias incident reporting and response process);
• Regular and structured opportunities for difficult dialogues (like the Transforming Community Project of several years ago);
• A formal process to institutionalize identification, review, and addressing of social justice opportunities and issues; and
• Commitment to an annual retreat to renew our efforts.
What a load of bureaucratic hot air. It's a tragedy that college and university authorities must waste their and everyone else's time with such social justice gabfests as a "Racial Justice Retreat" and a "Transforming Community Project," rather than focus on encouraging education, research, and
To keep moving forward, we must continue to engage in rich and meaningful dialogue around critical issues facing our nation and our society. I learn from every conversation like the one that took place yesterday and know that further conversations are necessary. More than that, such discussions should lead to action that continues to foster a more just and inclusive Emory.
Sincerely,
Jim Wagner
Translation: for "rich and meaningful dialogue," substitute "grievance-airing monologue." For "just and inclusive," substitute "racial payback and exclusion of white conservatives."
President Wagner should be ashamed of himself for taking these whiners seriously and not sending them back to class where their leftist professors can continue their indoctrination.
