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Fired for an Opinion

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  • Description

    Author Naomi Schaefer Riley on her criticism of Black Studies programs and how it got her fired.

  • Duration 7:39
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When people talk about bad -- short of the first things that comes to my mind is.

Racist speech everyone agrees that's -- The Chronicle of Higher Education is written mostly by and a grand -- buzz of academia.

Now one of the chronicles contributors.

Until she was -- this month after being accused of racism was my only Schaefer Riley.

So dialed me what did you write that make me you -- racist.

Well I wrote a blog posts criticizing black studies and was a reaction to a piece that appeared in the chronicle.

That touted new exciting research by graduate students and black studies department northwestern.

One of the dissertation mention was that history of black -- with freight.

One of the dissertation is mentioned it was explain how institutional racism was to blame for the housing but -- what is -- time what's wrong with a history of black men with very well I I said that it.

It seemed kind of irrelevant and that it -- seem like very obscure academic research and I've criticized obscure academic research and in other departments and so one on black studies the second dissertation was explain how institutional racism is to blame for the housing crisis in America.

It's a theory.

This area -- I suggested that perhaps via the millions of -- homeowners who had experience losing their homes were just collateral damage in this whole Lotta racist plot.

And then the the third dissertation I criticized.

-- done.

Clarence Thomas.

And Thomas soul and John McWhorter three a black sort of conservatives.

Of of engaging an assault on civil rights in America because they were against affirmative action.

Again opinion stupid opinion I would say but opinion you wrote this.

Black studies dissertation is where our collection of left wing victimization clap trap -- relevant no one will ever look at them.

Well that's true of a lot of district most dissertation -- Black studies today seemed to rest on the premise that nothing much has changed in the country in the past half century I don't tell -- about the black president.

So what happens then.

So the post goes up -- -- on a Sunday night and -- ironically on the blog called brainstorm yes he has split the -- close up on a Sunday night and the common start to pour in.

In the next few days it was not knew I had been blogging for the chronicle for about a year and there are always obnoxious commentators who wrote in things about me in the how I did notice talking about because I don't have a Ph.D.

And I -- stay at the chronicle what had asked me if I would please respond to these comments I said well look these abilities of the criticisms against me that I am a racist that I don't have -- Steve that I didn't read the entire dissertation before writing a blog post which is one of my favorites.

-- is that true.

Didn't read the dissertation before writing a final -- blog post photos -- -- dissertation of more reading a bond -- I mean this is an absurd standard.

The brunch continued and 6500 academic signed a petition asking for me -- here.

From from my gig at the chronicle and and you were.

Well first reaction from the chronicle is they said that we understand -- Sachs but we see this an invitation to debate that was the end of the week.

And then four days went by and then they -- me.

So.

Maybe you are racist mean and it made -- what makes me wanna ask your relatives if you're a racist and facts your closest relative happens to be in the audience so.

Your husband Jason would you come up and join the table and end.

It here.

If kids are racist she has an odd choice in husbands.

-- -- -- So what's your eight year you're -- writer and editorial writer for the Wall Street Journal us that's what was your reaction -- This well Naomi is no shrinking violet I was.

I knew she was perfectly capable pushing back.

Hard -- she did.

She's written two books on higher education she's interviewed.

Countless professors and students and and parents of students that.

Dozens of colleges across the country.

And that is the experience that informed her blogs on higher education so she's perfectly capable debating anyone -- facts.

So the chronicle is this timid politically correct organization under what's -- take.

Well I think it's a combination of things have the answer for their bottom line and who's gonna subscribe if they all hate the chronicle.

But I also think you know -- are reflective of the the atmosphere and higher education it's a closed bubble.

And and if you say anything that distresses.

The the academics they will sort of spit you out.

And racist especially touchy -- -- you were calling it it bloggers said Schaefer Riley is not deserve a platform for her racism.

This is racially motivated -- I mean look as -- -- I have criticized a number of academic disciplines I really think that a lot of what are called area and ethnic studies right now.

Are not legitimate academic disciplines I think their political causes and mean they're basically founded on the premise.

That but racism more other dollar -- no centrism or whatever you wanna call it is to blame for the problems of whatever racial minorities you're talking about.

And you start from that premise and then you can ask the questions so whereas most academic disciplines sort of beginning from the questions they begin from the answers.

And Jason the EU heads of angry push back from people.

You're writing for -- conservative publication and people who did not know you're black yes that's not a non uncommon extra incentive but I've written pieces in the newspaper over the years.

About.

Resorting to racism as a sort of all purpose explanation of all -- wrong.

With Black America as as not being around something that -- with the facts and down.

I've gotten letters to the editor that say things like well I guess mr.

Reilly has never been.

A young black men in New York trying to catch a -- at night.

I -- I believe we actually -- that letter in the paper my mother got quite a kick out of.

Now does race matter away -- talking about race outside the studio people told us that it absolutely postman.

One person can say something it can mean completely different based on their -- I'm black I'm bad I'm against a black person on this okay medical libraries and their company gets -- -- their mega problem.

Your reaction.

Well I think that that's definitely the public perception whether you like it or not -- mean we can sort of sit here and laugh and I can have this defense of you know obviously everybody laughs once they find out my husband is black but.

But you definitely protected in some -- -- you know if you -- while you can't call me a racist that black husband and I you know couple interracial children here.

-- but you have -- the the bottom line is it shouldn't matter I mean you should be able to engage in legitimate.

Discourse about the facts as I said in -- and critique academic disciplines without people resorting to you know engaging in -- -- And think about it.

And I also think about the message that Naomi is critics are sending to these young black academics which is that there is no legitimate criticism.

Of their discipline and anyone who thinks otherwise.

Is a racist.

What I wish I had that protection.

As --

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