Harvard to Stanford: A Coming Storm for Women and Scholars of Color
If you’ve been keeping up with the academic scene, especially regarding issues of race and inclusion, you might be aware of the growing **backlash** against prominent figures in education. Claudine Gay, who made history as Harvard’s first Black president, recently faced some rough waters resulting in her resignation after plagiarism allegations. Her case seems to be part of a larger pattern that scholars of color and women face, particularly in our current climate that feels increasingly hostile to progressive voices.
The Plot Thickens: Jo Boaler’s Journey
Take Jo Boaler, a mathematics education professor at Stanford University. Jo isn’t a stranger to tension over her research, which focuses on making math accessible to everyone – students from diverse backgrounds included. Back when she moved to the U.S. from the UK in the late ’90s, she was warned that her novel teaching methods based on reasoning could **ruffle a few feathers** among those clinging to traditional methods.
Years ago, she faced serious backlash from her own colleagues, who even accused her of “scientific misconduct.” This was so intense that she temporarily returned to the UK to escape it! Fast forward to 2019, and Jo was called upon to help rewrite California’s math framework aimed at improving educational outcomes for all. But instead of applause, she found herself back in the firing line.
The “Woke” Label and Attack on Credibility
Jo’s focus on equitable outcomes ignited fresh outrage, branded as a “woke” agenda by her critics. Big names like Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz jumped into the fray, seemingly eager to tarnish her reputation. Some even tried to derail her career entirely, which proved to be not only frustrating but frightening. The toll this campaign took on Jo was real; she noted that it brought physical threats that added stress to both her and her family.
A Scheme with a Familiar Playbook
The playbook seems to follow a classic pattern: accuse, escalate, and pressure universities to back away from their own faculty. This method gained momentum post-2024 when *Harvard’s* Claudine Gay became the target of similar scandals. With campaigns from groups that see universities as bastions of “wokeness,” Jo’s experiences represent just the tip of the iceberg.
Who’s Behind This?
A critical figure in this evolving landscape is Christopher Rufo, described as a conservative strategist that’s been influential in framing this academic conflict as a battle against “critical race theory.” He openly flaunted the matter of Claudine Gay’s resignation, revealing the coordinated nature of these smear campaigns and admitting some level of delight in the outcomes.
Rufo’s strategy seems to extend beyond just targeting a few individuals. His approach includes enlisting media outlets and even leveraging political connections to further amplify the critique of institutions embracing diversity and equity initiatives. In fact, some academics feel alarmingly vulnerable and unprotected as their credibility is publicly undermined, often for research that veers slightly out of traditional narrative.
Rising Support for Affected Scholars
As this trend grows, so does the support for scholars caught in the crosshairs. In response to the escalating harassment, Rebekah Tromble launched the Researcher Support Consortium, aimed at providing a voice and resources for those experiencing such attacks. Tromble emphasized that many scholars were completely unaware of this orchestrated tactic until they found themselves in similar situations.
Real Costs of Attacks
Scholars recount their experiences with surprise and dismay, realizing that they fall into a wider phenomenon that not only impacts their careers but can also compromise their safety. It’s not unheard of for them to have to change their contact details or even seek police protection. Professors like Isaac Kamola from Trinity College illustrate the ramifications of this climate, emphasizing how it undermines would-be defenders of academic integrity.
A Frightening New Reality
Professors are at a loss with worries that universities fail to adequately defend their own staff, often bowing to external pressures instead. For instance, when pressures extend to even dismantling research observatories focused on misinformation, the message is clear: institutions appear uneasy in the face of contention.
In conclusion, the academic landscape looks increasingly fraught with **retaliation and fear**, especially for women and scholars of color. As new voices in academia step forward, they deserve our backing in shielding them against these hostile forces that threaten not just their careers, but the principles of academic freedom itself. With their integrity on the line, it’s essential that their stories are shared and acknowledged, as their impact on future generations could be invaluable.
