2 ms·

It existed at my smallish Canadian university back in the '90s, using much of the same language. Postmodern left-wing student radicalism isn't some new phenome

by cgh 9y ago

It existed at my smallish Canadian university back in the '90s, using much of the same language. Postmodern left-wing student radicalism isn't some new phenomenon. What is new is the reach of the internet and my guess is a lot of this silliness is magnified by that medium.

WkndTriathlete 9y ago
Agreed. It was at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in the '90s as well, and it was helped along by the campus newspaper. (It always struck me as odd that this campus newspaper would regularly win student journalism awards when its reporters clearly had an agenda and made no efforts to hide their bias or persuasive efforts from readers.)
oceanghost 9y ago
In the late 90s at UC Riverside, the hostility was palpable. The campus required every student to take a course on "ethnic studies." The course demonized whites over the usual gripes, slavery, Native Americans, US Mexico war, Columbus, Captain Cook, etc. This was not presented in its historical context, just agonizing, emotionally manipulative details. Native societies were always presented as near utopias before the arrival of whites. What was so odd to me, my two instructors (Prof and PHD candidate), were both White. It was very clear that I was supposed to feel guilt and shame for being white. The course absolutely poisoned the campus since nearly everyone had to take it. I remember a La Raza (a Hispanic racist organization to be honest). Marching, angrily for in-state tuition for illegal aliens (UC System has two fee structures-- a discounted one for California residents, and one for non-California residents). It was insanity because foreign nationals who had followed the rules would pay more, as would out of state citizens, but those arguably least entitled to public resources also paid the least. As always, any rational discussion, or even nuanced agreement was demonized. You either agreed 100% or were the scum of the earth. I have never, nor will I ever feel guilty for being white. I also didn't do any of the things shitty things that happened in the past, NOR WAS IT DONE TO THE PEOPLE who seemed to be blaming me for their personal problems. I was in my early 20s, was offered a great PHD program (by UCR standards), and while many many factors went into the decision, I knew I didn't want to spend another 3 or 4 years with people who by and large hated me.

by cgh 9y ago

WkndTriathlete 9y ago

Agreed. It was at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in the '90s as well, and it was helped along by the campus newspaper. (It always struck me as odd that this campus newspaper would regularly win student journalism awards when its reporters clearly had an agenda and made no efforts to hide their bias or persuasive efforts from readers.)

oceanghost 9y ago

In the late 90s at UC Riverside, the hostility was palpable. The campus required every student to take a course on "ethnic studies." The course demonized whites over the usual gripes, slavery, Native Americans, US Mexico war, Columbus, Captain Cook, etc. This was not presented in its historical context, just agonizing, emotionally manipulative details. Native societies were always presented as near utopias before the arrival of whites. What was so odd to me, my two instructors (Prof and PHD candidate), were both White. It was very clear that I was supposed to feel guilt and shame for being white. The course absolutely poisoned the campus since nearly everyone had to take it. I remember a La Raza (a Hispanic racist organization to be honest). Marching, angrily for in-state tuition for illegal aliens (UC System has two fee structures-- a discounted one for California residents, and one for non-California residents). It was insanity because foreign nationals who had followed the rules would pay more, as would out of state citizens, but those arguably least entitled to public resources also paid the least. As always, any rational discussion, or even nuanced agreement was demonized. You either agreed 100% or were the scum of the earth. I have never, nor will I ever feel guilty for being white. I also didn't do any of the things shitty things that happened in the past, NOR WAS IT DONE TO THE PEOPLE who seemed to be blaming me for their personal problems. I was in my early 20s, was offered a great PHD program (by UCR standards), and while many many factors went into the decision, I knew I didn't want to spend another 3 or 4 years with people who by and large hated me.