Would MLK Support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies?

Written by Dr. Matthew Wielicki on January 23, 2024. Posted in Current News

I witnessed a paradigm shift in academia, where the pursuit of knowledge and excellence was once the unifying quest. During my time at the university, there was a noticeable shift in the decision-making processes.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion policies became increasingly prominent, with the goal of fostering an inclusive learning environment.

These policies aimed to address historical inequities and promote representation for marginalized groups. However, the unintended consequences of these initiatives soon became apparent.

One significant change was the removal of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as an entrance requirement for our graduate program.

This decision was made in the name of equity, as the GRE was seen as a barrier for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. While the intentions were noble, the outcome was not as expected.

Without the standardized measure of academic ability provided by the GRE, the admissions process became more subjective. This led to an increased emphasis on immutable characteristics, such as race and ethnicity, rather than merit.

The result was a less diverse and less qualified cohort of students, which negatively impacted the learning environment. The removal of a standardized measure of academic readiness created an undercurrent of uncertainty, both among incoming students and faculty.

As new policies took root, and more focus was given to immutable characteristics a subtle alienation began to manifest. Students felt the unspoken questions of their place and worth. Did they belong here?

Were they merely symbols of an initiative or genuinely valued for their potential? However subtle, this undercurrent of doubt ran counter to the ethos of inclusivity that DEI aimed to uphold.

When I chose to voice my concerns, the response was a cold shoulder from the academic community. My perspectives, instead of sparking a healthy debate, were met with isolation and an implicit branding of being against progress.

In the most extreme of reactions, my stance was even misconstrued as aligning with violence, a stark distortion of my advocacy for academic integrity and equality of opportunity.

The result was a personal crossroads. The environment I once thrived in became inhospitable to my values and academic philosophy. The rise of illiberalism within academia —a place that should champion diverse thought—pushed me out of my dream career.

It was a profound loss, not just of a position but of the ideal of what academia could and should be.

As we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his words resonate with the struggles within academia today. His dream that we would be judged not by the color of our skin but by the content of our character seems distant in the shadow of such experiences.

It’s a poignant reminder that the road to equality is complex, and the pursuit of one form of justice should not eclipse the foundational pillars of fairness and individual achievement.

Reflecting on my time in academia, I realize that the greatest lessons often come from the most challenging experiences. The trials I faced underscore the importance of open dialogue, intellectual rigor, and the value of diverse perspectives.

They also serve as a sobering reminder that when institutions shift from these principles, they risk alienating those they aim to include.

In departing my position, I carry both the weight of disappointment and the hope that academia might yet find a balance—where equity enhances, rather than undermines, the quest for excellence.

With a bittersweet farewell, I turn the page, knowing that true intellectual richness lies not in uniformity, but in minds unfettered by dogma.

Thanks for joining me on this new page in my journey for a better understanding of everything.

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