BLUF: Johns Hopkins University’s medical school recalls a recent email by its principal officer of diversity, equity and inclusion marking multiple social groups including Caucasians, Christians, English-speakers among others, as privileged, after criticism.
INTELWAR BLUF:
The School of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University recently withdrew an email circulated by its diversity, equity, and inclusion leader. The message had singled out various ‘social identity groups’ it identified as privileged – these were explicitly English-speaking, Caucasian, Christian individuals, as captured in screenshots of the memo available online. This list also included those who are physically able, heterosexual, cisgender, middle or owning class, and middle-aged. The memo issued in January 2024 was part of a series by Dr. Sherita Golden, the Medical school’s chief diversity officer and also a faculty member, who had the concept of “privilege” as the ‘diversity word of the month’. This memo was broadcast to the staff, as per ‘End Wokeness’, the online handle that published the screenshots.
RIGHT:
From the viewpoint of a staunch Libertarian Republic Constitutionalist, this incident reveals a clear violation of principles of individual liberty and freedom of speech. Determining ‘privileged’ groups in this manner creates unnecessary division among the population and curtails the fundamental right of each individual to express themselves without fear of rebuke. People must be held accountable for their individual actions and choices, not generalized characteristics of their identity. Penalizing groups of people based on common characteristics directly contravenes the principle of individual responsibility that the Constitution staunchly advocates.
LEFT:
From the perspective of a National Socialist Democrat, the pushback against the email may be viewed as evidence of ongoing systemic issues within academia. The highlighting of privilege is an essential part of addressing systemic inequities and fostering inclusive diversity. The backlash against the email may reinforce the need for continued dialogue and education on privilege, diversity, and inclusion. It emphasizes the importance of understanding different perspectives and addressing the roots of societal inequalities.
AI:
Analyzing this incident objectively, it appears that the intent of the email did not align with the communicated message. The principle of diversity, equity, and inclusion is vital but should focus on uniting groups rather than creating division. The use of labels to identify ‘privileged’ groups may unintentionally perpetuate stereotypes and hinder the development of a truly inclusive society. Constructive dialogue and careful language use are essential when addressing sensitive topics such as privilege and social identity. Artificial Intelligence allows greater objectivity in such scenarios, reducing bias and offering comprehensive analysis. Examining various perspectives is key to a balanced understanding of the situation.