Rethinking Woke Ideology in Universities

Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) recently distanced herself from the progressive slogans of 2020, such as ‘defund the police.’ The aftermath of George Floyd’s death and the COVID-19 outbreak had led some left-leaning groups to adopt extreme rhetoric. Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged this shift, noting that the language used then is not one they would use today. While Ocasio-Cortez steps back from these views, similar shifts have not occurred in academic circles.

An example is the case of Cambridge University sociologist Jason Arday, who allegedly committed plagiarism and fraud. His death by apparent suicide raises questions about the impact of identity politics in academia. Arday reportedly copied large passages from other scholars and misrepresented aspects of his biography. Despite ongoing plagiarism accusations, Cambridge University overlooked them until recently. Supporters framed these accusations as a racist attack, but evidence supporting this claim is lacking. Evidence, which should be a cornerstone of academia, has often been discarded.

Merit used to be valued, but Woke 101 encourages people to prioritize identity over skills. Tyler Austin Harper’s experience supports this claim. Harper, who resigned from Bates College, initially supported affirmative action, thinking it would favor underrepresented minorities with equal qualifications. However, he realized that actual qualifications were ignored in favor of identity. Harper felt that this approach undervalued his achievements.

Harper’s essay shares a case where an email accused a white student of attempting to ‘lynch’ his Black roommate. In reality, the conflict involved a simple dispute where the police might be called. Such exaggerations highlight the need for evidence in academic discussions.

Jason Arday also claimed experiences of racial threats, like being menaced by a masked man or receiving a pig’s head. These claims lacked corroborative evidence, but were believed due to Arday’s prominence as a Black scholar. This reflexive belief underscores how racial identity can influence perceptions, disregarding the need for evidence.

While racism exists, the uncritical acceptance of accusations without proof can cloud judgment. Mayor Sadiq Khan suggested Arday’s death resulted from racially motivated public shaming, yet Arday received preferential treatment until his death. In reality, his race may have shielded him from scrutiny, emphasizing the skewed priorities in academia.

The true impact of these dynamics benefits critics like Donald Trump and his followers. They regard universities as indoctrination centers rather than knowledge hubs, penalizing these institutions financially. To counter this criticism, universities must reevaluate their priorities. Ocasio-Cortez called for a return to evidence-based rhetoric, aligning with the need for academic reform. It’s a message for universities: dismiss Woke 101 and prioritize facts.

Jonathan Zimmerman, a history and education professor at the University of Pennsylvania, highlights these issues in his upcoming book, ‘Schooling Citizens: How Education Can Save Democracy.’