Black graduate students of Harvard University organized a blacks-only graduation ceremony that was held on campus. While it was reported that the controversial ceremony was eventually opened to white graduate students who wished to attend as well, black undergraduate students were not welcome. Items on the agenda were politics, social issues, and “staying woke.” There was also much emphasis put on being black in an elite college environment.
There’s a new era that has been ushered into American society that makes segregation acceptable in the eyes of those who have historically been victims of actual injustice. While there is something to be said about celebrating achievements among community and family, excluding groups of people in the name of inclusion takes away from the desired outcome.
Going back to Harvard University to explore the curious case of students vs Harvard Law. After winning the fight to remove the crest of Isaac Royall Jr.–a notorious slave owner whose money founded the law school–social justice warriors referred to this victory as being too small to exact the change they demanded. Even after protests saw the fall of the Royall crest, students continued protesting what they deemed “problematic” curriculum taught by Harvard Law.
Citing racism as being a huge problem at Harvard Law, one student said there’s a lack of “serious study into the implications of racism, white supremacy, and imperialism.” Another issue protesting students had with Harvard Law was the lack of a diversity and inclusion office. They were met with an explanation that while the school supports diversity, these demands are only made by a small number of them.
