Harvard Says Yes to Discrimination, No to Western Civ
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
At Harvard University today, professors who teach Western history are history.
James Hankins, a specialist in Renaissance thought, was one of the last holdouts.
Now Hankins, who has just published a hefty book that teaches what Harvard doesn't -- "The Golden Thread: A History of the Western Tradition. Vol. 1" -- has decamped for the University of Florida's Hamilton School of Classical and Civic Education.
It's not the warmer weather that's drawn him away from Cambridge, Massachusetts.
It's the contrast in intellectual climates: frozen and dead, where Western history is concerned, at Harvard; full of green shoots at the University of Florida.
"We have not hired with tenure a historian in a Western field -- ancient, medieval, early modern, or modern -- in a decade," Hankins says about his Harvard department, which in that time "lost eight senior historians in Western fields -- all major figures -- through death, retirement or departure for other universities. I will be the ninth, and I am not expecting to be replaced."
The loss isn't just Harvard's: "the replacement of Western history by global history" has done "serious harm ... to the socialization of young Americans," the historian warns in Compact magazine.
"When you don't teach the young what civilization is, it turns out, people become uncivilized."
In the 40 years Hankins taught at Harvard, he saw his profession shift its focus from European civilization to cultures once considered barbarian:
"In this absurdist rendering of world history, Central Asian peoples," for example, "are presented as the drivers of cultural innovation, spreading their benign influence east and west via the Silk Road."
This is marketed as "'de-centering the West,' where Western countries are literally put in their place as an ugly growth on the back side of Eurasia."
Mongol hordes aren't the only protagonists of the new history, however: anyone who isn't white qualifies.
A similar standard applies to elite graduate-school admissions, in Hankins' experience:
"I was told informally by a member of the admissions committee" in 2021, he recalls, that "admitting a white male ... was 'not happening this year.'"
As for Harvard's white male undergraduates, their skin color and sex are obstacles to academic advancement:
"(T)he best student at Harvard -- he won the prize for the graduating senior with the best overall academic record -- was rejected from all the graduate programs to which he applied. He too was a white male," the historian recounts.
"I called around to friends at several universities to find out why on earth he had been rejected. Everywhere it was the same story: Graduate admissions committees around the country had been following the same unspoken protocol as ours."
Could anyone get past this illegal discrimination?
"The one exception I found to the general exclusion of white males had begun life as a female," Hankins writes.
Hankins was one of the mere 3% of Harvard faculty who identify as conservative.
Yet even progressive scholars admit there's a problem.
Theda Skocpol, Harvard's Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology, is nobody's idea of a conservative.
In a recent interview published with the journal Sociologica, however, Skocpol acknowledges, "We in the universities ... went overboard with trying to boost some groups over others."
That came in the midst of lowering standards -- the average GPA at Harvard is now, notoriously, around 3.8: an A-.
"We went too far in academia for a decade before Trump, in giving the impression that students' feelings matter more than what they learn. ... We're at the point at Harvard where everybody thinks they should get an A, and they don't think they should do much to get it."
But how seriously should taxpayers, who foot the bill for much of higher ed's mischief, take a professor like Skocpol when she says, "I believe in actual equality, applying the same standards to everyone, not using special quotas or excuses for particular groups"?
Not very seriously, when in the same interview she says Trump administration officials cracking down on the academy's follies "all resent some woman -- particularly some Black woman --who told them what to do or who got what they think they deserved."
Harvard's last president, Claudine Gay, was a black woman whose scholarship was infected with plagiarism.
She's still employed by Harvard, with a compensation package said to be in the neighborhood of $900,000.
The contrast between Gay's treatment as a black woman and the white male students with exemplary records who have been discriminated against the way Hankins describes should make even a Theda Skocpol question her premises about why conservatives criticize higher ed.
Harvard and its peers have replaced Western history with global history -- and merit with identity politics.
If scholars of Hankins' caliber keep migrating to the freer and fairer setting of places like Florida, Harvard will at last find itself replaced, too.
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If you were trying to destroy a country from within, it'd be tough to beat what's been done at Harvard and other liberal institutions. One of the main themes of De Tocqueville is that freedom is never more than one generation away from being taken away, and destroying a country's knowledge of it's past and pride in it's accomplishments is one of the surest ways to do that. "History" is now just teaching kids how terrible America in particular and western civilization is in general and how it's to blame for everything they are unhappy about.
Wow. Where to begin: What is WRONG with some people who seem to wish to 'poop' on nearly everything?
Our country is not all ROSES and we have long been told that nothing-absolutely nothing-is perfect. So what the Heck?! We start this new year off. . .with the same set of Imperfections continuing from last year - 2025! (Sigh!)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
That our supposed best school doesn't have someone specializing in western history is insanity. America is an incredible anomaly in world history, ensuring Americans don't know how that happened is how you can end up with historically illiterate progressives trying to "fundamentally transform" our society.
What 'Western history' is MAGA specifically wanting to teach?
Also, this article is rather 'scatter-brained' in its subject matter. It strikes me that is is attempting to incite as much (or less) as inform us of what MAGA perceives as a "problem."
What's it going to be? Pick one issue to address at a time so we can focus on it. I
Please explain what causes you to write this. What makes for America's "anomaly"?
All of world history. Do you know how rare functioning republics are, let alone multi ethnic ones?
Like our neighbor to the North?
ooh boy America Jr. A country steeped in the same traditions and mores of western civilization. So keep going. Find all these republics that existed (especially not tied to western civilization) to show that America is not an exception. You have thousands of years of history and even more civilizations and countries to choose from. You would have to list thousands to disprove me.
And you come up with Canada?
A country where there are more assisted suicides per capita than there are gun deaths here....
Best at what? What makes you think every college student desires or needs to study western history? It’s already required in pretty much every high school. How much exposure to the history of western civilization do you think a computer science major needs?
[✘]
Harvard has zero western civilization specialists, so they don't really have that option.
How much exposure to the history of western civilization do you think a computer science major needs?
Lol. Why aren't you asking that question about the history classes it does offer?
Weather kills more Canadians than guns do Americans as well. But it is true, a country where the government kills about 20% of its citizens is truly an anomaly.
Because I don’t care what classes Harvard offers. Apparently, you do, but only God knows why. You expect the rest of us to accept Harvard’s curricula and faculty status as an existential crisis for Western Civilization, without actually making the case, or even telling us why we should care.
Why is this functioning republic an "anomaly"?
Experience signifies to me that if Harvard is a 'hot button issue' for MAGA. . . Trump must be on the 'warpath' with Harvard (again). . . and we should be hearing about it 'next' Truth Social.
Then why are you making multiple comments on the article?
That you need "why it's a good idea to study western civilization" makes my point. I'm sorry your education was so lacking. Such an embrace of ignorance.
I believe Canada is a democracy, not a republic.
Moot point since it appears that choice will no longer by available at that “fine” institution of higher education.
It’s not moot. It’s the whole point. You want us all to light our hair on fire because there is not enough Western Civilization - or whatever - at Harvard, but you can’t define what “enough” would look like or why.
Nope. I need to know what is enough study of western civilization. How many courses are needed? How many specialist professors? Why can’t a non-specialist history professor teach the course? What about more STEM focused schools like Cal Tech or MIT? Most of their students probably never take history at all, unless it’s a class on the history of science.
And what about people who don’t even go to college, but graduated high school? Do you want to force them to study more Western Civilization?
Again, you, and this article’s author are trying to paint a picture of an existential crisis for America based on the fact that Harvard (and allegedly other “liberal institutions” whatever that means) are allegedly teaching less Western Civilization. BUT…no one has even tried to make a persuasive case that there is some set amount of study needed by a certain amount of people at the college level.
You can’t define any aspect of this grave concern because you haven’t actually looked into it. Ironically, while panicking over an allegedly declining level of academic inquiry, you have conducted none yourself. It’s all just political paranoia - an apparently made up problem to get the base all riled up that “the world is going to Hell in a hand basket” or something.
Sure it is. A higher level educational institution like Harvard supposedly is should have such an essential component of history readily available for study if desired. Who are you to “define” what and how much is appropriate?
It’s called electives. Each student can choose the electives they want within certain constraints. Somewhat tailoring their education to their wants and interests. I got an BS in Engineering but worked in a minor of Economics via electives. Having options like that are a big part of what higher education is all about.
No longer offering Western History at a place like Harvard is bush league woke nonsense. Nothing more.
"Enough" is never enough. "Others" are neglected under a pretense of lack of merit. Even though time and time again these FOOLS have had explained to them that "others" achieve entrance into these institutions after demonstrating they have the acumen to be there. . . and only then is their race considered as 'points.' Thereabouts.
We know that certain groups of whites use any and all methods to get into higher education including buying their way (Legacy programs, etcetera) seeing it as a legitimate way to enter.
MAGA does not wish to discuss that 'fine' point as it does not serve their self-interests and deceitful narrative.
Nonsense. The left however apparently must denigrate and attack all that they disagree with. With labels like MAGA and racist. Sad.
My only point here is how ridiculous it is for such a “fine” institution like Harvard to not offer a thorough syllabus of Western history options.
Nothing racial or nepotistic about that.
I have been thinking similarly this whole discussion. Why do conservatives think they should have an out-sized perspective on what the PROFESSIONAL course curriculum (Certified schools) providers set-up and run?
Offer up a 'concern' and let it be considered and given a response.
Global history includes Western civilization history. What is the problem? Application of a double standard ?
"Electives" were threatened. . .
Idaho education funding restored after 'rooting out DEI,' State Department reveals
The Idaho governor stood by his commitment to eliminate diversity initiatives in education
A pretext. MAGA wants a selected expressing of Western civilization narrative that puts whites above and beyond Others. We all know it, despite the bull--it smoke and mirrors. Global (civilization) history incorporates, blends in, mixes, and percolates' western civilization-inclusively.
MAGA wants special pleading and is attempting to compel ("man-handle") Harvard through political and financial rhetoric and threats of loss of funding.
You need to read the article again and grasp the main premise. Harvard is not replacing Profs/programs that specifically teach Western history. End of story, full stop. There is the “concern” you so seek. It’s been there the whole time.
Gaslight if you must but there is nothing more to see here.
Global history includes western civilization! What say you to that?! Comprehend that premise in the article.
Moreover, if you can ignore and dismiss from discussion what the Trump administration is doing to Idaho's school 'choice,' then be CONSISTENT and ignore what the Harvard administration is allegedly doing to its 'electives.'
That is a LIE!!!
Your numbers are off. You're trying to compare apples to oranges,apples and grapefruit....
It seems to be a common theme here...
I have. Sadly, you still haven’t.
I try to be ”consistent” and ignore off topic comments like that one in this discussion per site rules. Such comments should be removed as off topic.
Shows just how screwed AI can be.
Should. Would. Could.
Since it is not our seed what is off-topic is not for either of us to conclude. Therefore, you ought to feel free to respond to statements and questions without the 'narrow tailoring' you would give it. . .if you were the only individual in the discussion.
I repeat with emphasis:
That said, now I know this selected outrage is "MAGA-approved."
I did. I called it off topic. Narrow tailoring? Hilarious!
Gaslighting and labeling will get you nowhere with me.
Dismissed.
CAUTION: Spin-zone happening!
Note: I will be weighing the value of discussing anything with certain people this year, as I need more quality time on-site not quantity time!
Indeed, so why should we have any studies that are centric? African or African American, Asian, Christianity, Muslim, LBGTQ studies?... that should be covered under Global history. Should the same be applied to all?
Global history is inclusive of 'all' studies-including western history. The category: Global History. The lists of studies under it ought to be for school administrators to decide appropriately.
Furthermore, if the agenda is to argue for bigoted, partisan, lies, untruths, and 'alternative realities,' courses of study no school built to relate facts should teach such. Bigotry and (negative) propaganda are morally wrong (unhealthy, polluting, and toxic) and should not be 'fed' to students.
A non-answer. How does a school administrator "decide appropriately " if there are no professors or even a department to give the courses. Much less how do you attract students when you do crap like this?
Nowhere have I declared any such thing. I’m not the one claiming there is a problem. You are. Contrariwise, I have also not said the situation is fine.
What is your source that Harvard no longer offers Western History? Here is a link to the History Department at Harvard , with their list of courses for the 2025-2026 academic year. It looks to me like they have tons of courses on Western History.
One would be a start, wouldn't it?
Here we are again watching the same old progressive playbook playout. Agitate to change a more, a tradition, a curriculum, achieve success at changing it and then act offended that anyone would dare notice or comment on it. It's so tiresome and disingenuous.
They spend years attacking the curriculum at universities. As the author notes the focus of the history curriculum has been completely changed by progressive activist who wanted de center western civilization. When he, or anyone else, notices it's a subject that's not worth discussing now that they've won.
nd what about people who don’t even go to college, but graduated high school? Do you want to force them to study more Western Civilizatio
Are you playing some game where you can see just how many stupid irrelevant questions you can ask? I get your SOP is to play the fool and pretend to be ignorant about everything but c'mon.
You can’t define any aspect of this grave concern because you haven’t actually looked into it. Ironically, while panicking over an allegedly declining level of academic inquiry, you have conducted none yourself. It’s all just political paranoia - an apparently made up problem to get the base all riled up that “the world is going to Hell in a hand basket” or something.
And you go straight from trying to deflect with endless questions to making fanciful pronouncements that bear no relationship to reality. bravo.
Nope, I copied and pasted your statement into AI only adding a fact check request. It's not my fault if you wanted to specify only a specific small subset to justify your claim.
Then go ahead and restate your claim so it doesn't prove wrong...
Your Original Claim: " A country where there are more assisted suicides per capita than there are gun deaths here "
COPILOT
Bolding.... mine
Q. Why did Harvard end its western history course and let it's western history professors go?
Harvard University's decision to end its Western history course and let go of its Western history professors was influenced by a combination of factors related to evolving academic priorities, a shift in cultural discussions about inclusivity, and a growing emphasis on a more global or diversified curriculum.
Key Factors
1. Curriculum Redesign
2. Cultural Shift
3. Response to Student and Faculty Voices
4. Administrative Decisions
Conclusion
While the exact details surrounding the decision to discontinu[e] the Western history course and its faculty may not be entirely public, these trends reflect a broader commitment within higher education to diversify curricula and address historical narratives from multiple perspectives. The aim appears to be fostering a more inclusive educational environment rather than solely dismantling Western history studies entirely.
Credit: Duckduckgo: AI
If I was to make a word 'cloud' about this it would appear: Diversity; Inclusivity; representation; global perspective; school priorities.
The sham here is that MAGA resists change that is supportive of diversity, inclusivity, and representative of Others.
How dare anyone call it progressive!!!
Thank you proving what I wrote. Progressives changed the history program to reflect their ideological goals and now complain that people noticed.
Great summary.
I get it, you don't like apples...
Well, you know Sean truth lies out 'there' someplace. . .MAGA can have its delusions. . .as delusions don't change a damn thing about truth. And, in the end truth catches up! Hurry truth: Catch up!
Bullshit. You’re the one wondering about how much a Computer Science major would need such a thing. You’ve clearly made up your mind about that. Why else would you make that comment?
I was responding to what was written in the article this seed was based on and you will note, my first comment clarified that “it appears” to be the case. Not that it “is” the case.
But, I’ll take the word a guy who has taught there for decades any day over someone here on NT that simply just wants to argue about it.
Any day.
So angry and insecure. Sigh.
No, I asked you what you think about it. I asked because I know that many STEM schools or STEM degree programs at generalized universities don’t require the study of Western Civilization at all.
See above. That’s why.
I‘m not trying to argue at all. I want to see some support for the themes and allegations presented here. You’re the one getting his knickers in a twist just because I want to actually explore the details. Your need to angrily defend something you seem to know nothing about - or at the very least, can’t articulate - is bizarre.
Indeed.
While knowledge is always good, the history of western civilization would be an extremely low priority if someone seeks an education in Computer Science.
Awwww ….. thanks ….
I never said they did require it. I simply implied it should be offered The article implies that at best, it’s being deemphasized and at worst it’s being eliminated. We could discuss the concept of “electives” in higher education at length here now but I’ve tried that and it appears to fall on intentionally deaf ears. One wonders what the point of that is but I guess some just like to argue.
Sure you aren’t but keep working it
Lol, classic projection. Let’s see without looking back too far. Apparently I’m; angry and insecure, have my knickers in a twist, I’m bizarre and I’m angrily defending something I know nothing about. Nothing personal right? That said I’ll refer you back to 1.1.20 for further support and study.
Nothing more need be said here until you come up with a cogent argument against the content within. I have yet to see anything remotely close.
Nearly 50 years ago now, attending a well respected, primarily STEM college, I never thought I’d be defending those hated “required” electives but the older I get the more I understand the utility of such. STEM schools turn out enough robots with required electives. It would be even worse without them.
No one working towards a STEM degree should be required to take a Western history class but it should be available if they want to. It’s really that simply.
I agree that requiring someone to take a class that has no near term relevance to their curriculum is silly because there are many ancillary classes (e.g. composition, psychology, accounting, finance, marketing, logic/critical thinking, political science, ...) that would provide relevance (at least) a few years after graduation. Others (e.g. history, philosophy, music, ...) that serve to help shape the mind are good but should not be required (and thus preclude more relevant classes).
My comment was that Western history (specifically) would be a very low priority for helping shape the mind and provide relevant knowledge for someone pursuing a Computer Science degree. Actually, today, psychology and sociology classes would be quite useful for computer scientists.
So, I’m supposed to scan your comments and infer your point for myself? Well, I tried, and there isn’t one to be had. I was reminded though, of this claim you made, which remains unsupported by evidence:
I asked you previously to prove that Western History was no longer offered, and you have not done so. What’s more, I supplied a link to Harvard’s history department website, which lists several western history courses for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.
You haven’t given me anything to argue against. Just empty, unsupported claims. We have been through this so many times. It is YOUR responsibility to support the claims you make, and that is ALL I have been asking for. I haven’t even said the claims are wrong.
Think about that. Nowhere have I said that the article is wrong or that you are wrong. I just want to see some support for the claims being made. Is that really so hard?
Persuade me WITH EVIDENCE that Western History is disappearing from our colleges. Persuade me WITH EVIDENCE that this either is or will do harm to the country. Persuade me WITH EVIDENCE that all of this is because of some kind of liberal agenda, policy, institution or whatever.
These are the kinds of claims being made in this article and/or by you, and we are expected to accept all of this without evidence.
I can’t even get to arguing against any of it until we have that much.
I’m actually a big fan of Western History and history in general. That’s what I studied in college. My Masters prongs were in Medieval Europe and American Culture. Believe me, I DO think it’s important that it be taught in college. If anyone here is going to be biased in favor of studying Western History, it’s me.
I’m not arguing against any of that. I just want to hear the evidence that there is an actual problem.
Perhaps for a student schooled in a western school system. Not so much for students foreign to that. Maybe your school was different but mine had significant enrollment from non western countries.
True for any such STEM degree. Myself I concentrated on a double minor of Economics and Psychology whenever I could. MBA in Engineering Administration. Basically a business MBA with emphasis on STEM disciplines. All served me well.
Well I gotta leave it at we disagree then and say again from above:
Still haven’t heard that imo. The author of the article was clear. Four decades of teaching there and he see’s it going in the direction of deemphasizing western history education. Again, I think his observations are likely much more accurate than anything I’ve read here.
Sensible.
The last thing I was wasting my time on was western history but was friends with more than one foreign student that enjoyed the option. Many discussions over beers in both directions.
How? Hardly anyone actually goes to Harvard. There are literally thousands of other options, just in the US, catering to millions of students. Harvard admits less than 2,000 people each year.
That IS happening - at government buildings like the Pentagon or the Smithsonian, and it’s happening at the direction of the president and his minions.
First, real history is often unpleasant. The notion that it should always be glowing praise is propaganda, not scholarship. And like it or not, many negative aspects of modern life are a result of something in our history.
How did you miss this? "and other liberal institutions." Do you think Harvard is unique or doesn't exert oversized influence on academia?
irst, real history is often unpleasant. The notion that it should always be glowing praise is propaganda, not scholarship. And like it or not, many negative aspects of modern life are a result of something in our history.
Get that strawman!
Other than that vague throwaway phrase, is there any discussion of the alleged institutions? No, there isn’t. So it’s bullshit. This is a Harvard story. Trying to project it onto “other liberal institutions” is unsupported propaganda.
What is a liberal institution anyway? Why not name a few? Does Harvard even qualify? On what grounds? You may have swallowed that bait, but I won’t.
You love this phrase. I see you use it a lot. But you often use it incorrectly, as you have here.
This story, from beginning to end, discusses Harvard, so I did too. That’s not a straw man. That’s literally the central figure in the story.
You also - weirdly - wrote this phrase in response to my words on the nature of history studies. You could have responded to that, which might actually have been an interesting conversation. Was that an accident or on purpose?
No, you are just trolling by pretending complete ignorance of very basic knowledge. If you don't know Harvard is a "liberal institution" than you really lack the basic knowledge necessary to participate in this discussion.
This story, from beginning to end, discusses Harvard, so I did too
So do don't understand what a strawman is. If you posted in response to 1.2.1 "despite your claims, Harvard's football is good." That would also be a strawman, since I made no claims about Harvard's football team.
This claim " The notion that it should always be glowing praise is propaganda, not scholarship. And like it or not, many negative aspects of modern life are a result of something in our history." does not refute an argument made by anyone in this discussion. You made up a claim to argue against. That's the definition of a strawamn.
Translation: You have no idea what makes Harvard, or any other institution “liberal.” You just repeat it because people you like told you it was true.
It’s the argument you made. Literally, your first comment was:
Now, if you think you have been misinterpreted, then be a grown up and clarify your remarks, rather than just declaring “straw man!” and offering nothing further.
Imagining you are simply not trolling and have no knowledge of Harvard, you are literally responding to an article where Harvard, in services of DEI, discriminates against a applicant based on race. It's really amazing how ashamed progressives our of their own policies.
, rather than just declaring “straw man!” and offering nothing further.
It is a straw man. Nothing I wrote, certainly not the part you highlighted, can reasonably be interpreted as a demand that history should only be glowing praise.
If you want to claim any school is a “liberal institution,” you should be able to support that claim with evidence. I don’t think that’s unreasonable.
Allegedly.
I’m not saying they aren’t. They may well be. But they may also feel they have a good reason for it. Or they may not see it as discrimination. Sometimes discrimination might be the right thing.
For example, if I’m handing out free snacks, I might give what I have to a starving man before I give it to a rich, well fed man. That seems moral to me, but maybe it doesn’t to you.
Oh, ok. I think I see what you want to do. I have to guess, of course, because you refuse to actually discuss the claims you make.
You said,
Giving you the benefit, as they say, I suppose you could argue that this does not necessarily imply that you think history should be 100% praising America. Is that your position?
If so, here’s the problem. You have already made the unsupported claim that History is “just” teaching bad things about America and western civilization. In other words, the current situation is that there is no praise of America or western civilization, at all. Is that what you’re trying to say?
If so, you should supply some evidence, because I’m pretty sure I could pick up any textbook in America and find something positive about America or western civilization.
A proper history class will have both positive and negative things to say about its subject, but you seem to think it’s all negative. You make no allowance for the middle ground that I see, and thus I have said it can’t be all praise.
I was told informally by a member of the admissions committee" in 2021, he recalls, that "admitting a white male ... was 'not happening this year.'"
As for Harvard's white male undergraduates, their skin color and sex are obstacles to academic advancement:
"(T)he best student at Harvard -- he won the prize for the graduating senior with the best overall academic record -- was rejected from all the graduate programs to which he applied. He too was a white male," the historian recounts.
"I called around to friends at several universities to find out why on earth he had been rejected. Everywhere it was the same story: Graduate admissions committees around the country had been following the same unspoken protocol as ours."
Don't worry. Other people people were discriminated against in the past, so these white males should just happily accept the new Jim Crow.
Well, is this "white male undergraduate" from a wealthy family? They can simply BUY their way into institutes of higher learning. Oh, it's true. Will you be discussing that?
Surely, we know that poor, rank and file, folks do not have the income or wealth to get a sit (that some number of wealthy (yet not so bright) self-interested whites. . .and even wealthy minorities can do), because we know they will ask . One thing we know about the wealthy, they love to use (and abuse) their "privileges."
Finally, minorities are given an opportunity to sit in the institutions they otherwise were not give 'privilege' to enter, due to RACIST treatment and no way out of their dire straits.
Another question: What is it about EQUITY and the freedom of universities to give EQUITY where it is appropriate, necessary, and INCREASES PROSPERITY that seems to make certain Whites feel they are not being treated equally?
What is there NOT to understand?
I challenge this article on its 'merit'.
Ironically that's what DEI has been challenged on....
Lol. The white scholar should be happy going to an inferior institution because he's white. What does that sound like again?
we know that poor, rank and file, folks do not have the income or wealth to get a sit (that some number of wealthy (yet not so bright) self-interested white
You have zero idea about the relative wealth of anyone involved. All we know is that Harvard and other programs would not accept white men. So imagining the racially discriminated against were all rich is just as convenient as excuse as any other for advocating blatant racism so keep on keeping on.
orities are given an opportunity to sit in the institutions they otherwise were not give 'privilege' to enter, due to RACIST treatment and no way out of their dire straits.
So that justifies racist treatment of another generation, whose children will now demand the government discriminate on their behalf to make up for the racism their fathers faced and so on and so on...
challenge this article on its 'merit'.
You are challenging this article because you support racial discrimination and the article doesn't it.
I am not imagining anything. The 'thing' speaks for itself. Case in point:
And we can believe and count on the wealthy (collectively) having "agency" to put out the talking point (usually through the GOP and its thinktanks) that discussions of wealth "indulgences" are prohibitive and should be immediately quieted (or shutdown). The tactic also goes on (drones on) about REDISTRIBUTION. Though, no one wealthy is complaining about how they ask for and get excesses given to them. . .through hook or crook!
Born Rich (2003 Full Documentary)
Watch the documentary about what "rich kids" say about themselves and their parent's wealth regarding. Of course, I have little faith that any MAGA supporter will watch it because it is counterproductive to what MAGA sells.
A wasted effort at commenting: That promises 'much' I guess, and actually delivers less for the challenge!
While I think such a challenge is possible, we often see something very different.
I offer a challenge to MAGA supporters over there attitudes about DEI. . . and no takers. . . I am left to believe that those "supporters" have a lazy narrative for which they can not defend. . .and yet have strong FEELINGS. . . to fight about. . . heading into election season. You know, must get those culture war topics in the 'slow-cooker' of the Press so they can be done by November.
Do you think all white people are the same. There is zero evidence the applicant who was racially discriminated against was "rich." It's just your fantasy or inability to white people as individuals. The idea that a white male born this century is automatically wealthy and powerful just by being white is orwellian.
You'd think a story about multiple universities refusing to hire white males would drive that point home, but apparently your beliefs about being white are typical of religious belief that rely on faith rather than fact.
Policy is not made for one individual student or several, it is made for an entire class of students.
Furthermore, I challenge you to 'go there' with me on the Christian faith and Christian nationalism. I doubt that you will find the 'inspiration' to continue, nevertheless!
MAGA with its focus on white achievements to the detriment and harm of others in this country can not succeed any longer. Whites, like everybody else, in this country are simply people wishing to get ahead. . . and MAGA attempting to push directly and indirectly WHITE-NESS figuratively down the throats of minorities (as was once done in the storied HISTORY of our country) is done. We are all Americans! Time to remember we are one BODY as a nation (out of many-ONE). MAGA supporters push to dominate with rhetoric (and slanted history perspectives and 'gaslighting' aside) must fail and be called out-on a daily basis if necessary!
Progressives are literally not hiring western civilization teachers and not teaching wester civilization to its students and somehow this is about MAGA focusing on "white achievements"
Unbelievable
SORRY! I don't see a defining of "Western civilization" from the MAGA perspective. Care to respond to the question at 1.1.2 before we move along to critiquing what teachers are doing or not doing?
It seems to have something to do with hiring white people and waxing nostalgic about the history of white America. I’d be happy to be wrong, if only someone would give us a different explanation.
I fully expect a "snow-job" or a 'drive-by' or an outright dismissal. . . .
Anyhow, if the commenter can not explain the meaning of "Western civilization" then is is clear that the commenter does not comprehend what the article writer meant to get across. It will "beg the question" - that, this article is here for group discussion!
Y! I don't see a defining of "Western civilization"
You need western civilization defined for you? Seriously?
This is what Chatgpt is good for:
Okay, so what is this problem you find with global history which includes western civilization?! What 'Western history' is MAGA specifically wishing to have continue?
Note this from your OWN comment above:
Where you’ll see it
Often taught as a history or social studies course in middle school, high school, or college
Sometimes combined with World History or European History
This country has gone mental, I swear. People who make 45K a year regularly defend bigger tax breaks for billionaires. And now, we’ve got a whole bunch of people who never had a snowball’s chance in Hell of getting into Harvard, complaining about the state of the curriculum and the faculty - as if it had any bearing on their life whatsoever. Ridiculous.
Don’t like Harvard? Don’t go to Harvard. Like you got a choice.
Don’t like Harvard? Don’t go to Harvard. Like you got a choice.
Lol. How dare these peasants question elite institutions? They should just carry water for them like me! No one must question the high and mighty!
Step 4 really involves some serious lack of self respect.
I never said don’t question it.
”Git dat straw man, har har.”
Carry water for them? LOL Wtf are you talking about? The high and mighty? Step 4? Did you accidentally spill a box of random words?
There are many opportunities for people to get educated. The real problem in America aren't the supposed "elites" getting into Harvard, it's the MAGAites ridiculing higher education often because they chose not to get educated. It was not that an education wasn't available to them, they simply chose not to avail themselves of it. If anything, they are intentional peasants so there is no reason to feel sorry for them or treat them with any deference.
Plain-spoken. What MAGA supporters choose not to participate in - they MOCK, and most definitely strive to bring down. All their big talk about LIBERTY and FREEDOM falls at their feet upon exiting their mouths because of what comes out of them 'next': Ridicules and demonization—99 percent of the time unfounded.
CB - you need to learn what MAGA really means - who you really are talking about are the Dems/Libs - please learn the difference.
Really. Okay. How about taking the inclination and apply this time between us to addressing me right now by explaining and describing what MAGA means to YOU?! Please proceed. . . . You will have my undivided attention when you comply!
Oh, and do share "the difference" that you reference. Brevity only works in communication when it gets its point across!
Directing someone to go 'research' a concept when it can be explained with brevity is a gross waste of time and effort.
Are you MAGA? If so, share with this group what MAGA means (to you)!
When you open up about what MAGA means (to you), can you tell us what a "traditional value" is and what red hats have to do with patriotism. Looking forward to a *clear* understanding when you are 'done' sharing!
Do you not understand the words you use? All you did was whine about people questioning Harvard.
Wtf are you talking about? The high and mighty? Step 4? Did you accidentally spill a box of random words?
WTF are you you talking about? Do you just post random thoughts that bear no relation to your previous posts?
Nope. Never once did I do that. I just asked you to explain why it’s a problem. You clearly can’t do that.
And then I quoted your own words and asked you to explain them. It really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that you can’t or won’t explain your own word salad. That is SOP for you.
MAGA is a concept - "Make America Great Again" - getting back to the values that Americans, as a whole, enjoyed prior to the two political parties battling over who's best and why. The politicians are not looking to help/work for the American people because they are both so enamored with being THE political party.
Get politics out of it and get back to making America the country it was - before their childish antics.
And that is not a political statement.
Well put.
MAGA is more than a concept (see Project 2025)- it is an action item taking place in the Trump administration and being implemented across the country. BTW, energy extraction, tribal sovereignty, and the selling off of public lands are a concern of some Indigenous people. Apparently, not other Native people.
When a Native American posts an article detailing a wish and need for Native American respect and honoring of treatises. . .clearly 'they' do not think it is childish!
Your words are right here for all to see " nd now, we’ve got a whole bunch of people who never had a snowball’s chance in Hell of getting into Harvard, complaining about the state of the curriculum and the faculty - as if it had any bearing on their life whatsoever. Ridiculous."
Own your words.
Please don't think you can speak for any Native Americans.
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Don't patronize me, 1st Warrior. I pulled information from a Native American wishing respect and honoring of treatises. . . the thing speaks for itself! Perhaps you know him or her.
And continued on your way to lecture me about MAGA (the Concept). (A) I addressed (B) Dismayed Patriot at 4.1.3. (C) You joined in about with a projection-theory you promote about democrats and libs! And continued to proceed until we are. . . well, here.
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What is this problem with global history MAGA FEELS?
Global history by definition INCLUDES Western Civilization. There is no lack. Unless MAGA is suggesting that Western civilization is EXCLUDED from global history. Well?
I think the MAGAites believe white conservative Christianity "won" and thus should get to write their own history as well as giving them the right to quash any contrary facts and to downplay or eliminate any history that could make white conservative Christians look bad. They don't want to hear a "global history" about how their ancestors brutally oppressed people or raped and pillaged to get where they are and to own the lands that they do. They want the fictional version of white American history where the white conservative Christians are the heroes of the story and were only trying to help the poor black slaves and indigenous 'savages' to become 'civilized'.
They do this because they are desperately clinging to some perverse idea of trying to "save" white culture in America as it was actually under threat (it's not) and they believe telling the actual truth about Western History would be helping to destroy the culture they so prejudiciously cling to. The "white culture" they're trying desperately to conserve is a white conservative Christian fantasy that only exists in their minds, where they are superior and thus in charge of American society. When they whine and gnash their teeth at 'cancel culture' it's only when things they like are getting canceled, not when other things they dislike get canceled. In fact, they work tirelessly at canceling anything liberal or progressive. But we can't really expect reason or good behavior from a rabid dog bitterly clinging their fantasy white culture bone. White conservative Christians will continue to lie cheat and steal to try and stay relevant and in power just as they've always done. Controlling the narrative of "Western History" is just another method they use to do that.
Well stated, and to the point.
The writer of this article spectacularly fails in comprehending that being a conservative is a social identity.
Some stupidly run around spouting off narratives and repeating them over and over without any consideration for deep and abiding thought of what they write!
And what does Conservative identity mean to you?
It usually means anyone and anything the left hates.
You go first!
Mmm...... another non-answer
SURPRISE!!!
And there goes the "golden opportunity" to tell us your conservative perspective falling flat into a field of cow patties. More of the same for 2026. . . ready Newstalkers for more non-engaging so-called discussion? Newstalkers?
To start 2026 off right a "discussion enema" may be needed!
Indeed