Universities were once a place where ideas could be expressed freely without consequence, no matter how silly, contentious, or sensitive those ideas may have been.
But a lot has changed in the last few years on campus. Identity politics is now more important than the pursuit of truth. Students and staff who don’t tow the company line of left-wing progressivism are seen as dissenters. Think how we think, and you’ll be fine.
If you’re a conservative, a Christian, or God help you both, you could find your world view and value system mocked, criticised, silenced, or even punished by the very institution that should protect it.
In short, universities have become hostile environments for freedom of speech — unless of course it’s the ‘right’ speech.
Recently the Institute of Public Affairs reviewed the content of 746 undergraduate subjects offered by 35 Australian universities. The report showed that a greater number of history subjects focused on identity and sexuality than on enlightenment and democracy.
Overall 244 subjects focused on identity, while only 241 focused on the essential core topics in the history of Western civilisation.
Quite a scary thought.
