First-year seminar English 72: Literature of 9/11 has come under attack from portions of the UNC student body and a national right-wing outrage machine.
A petition started by conservative groups calls on Chancellor Folt to condemn the class. This is a hypocritical reaction to academic freedoms that has received marginal support.
In response to the backlash, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Jim Dean responded in support of the course. His comments validated the right of professor Neel Ahuja to teach this content, and he also remarked on how academic freedom distinguishes the American university from others and how we should defend classes like Ahuja’s.
The community should applaud when this happens. But even if the administration doesn’t take such a stance, it’s the community’s responsibility as a whole to stand up for academic freedom. Classes such as English 72 broaden the perspectives of students, whether they hold positive or negative views of U.S. foreign policy.
In education, pushback is important for the individual. Students should confront their prejudices and look for ways to face their biases in a controlled environment like the classroom. The lack of sensitivity shown by the signatories of the petition and the clear xenophobia toward those living in predominantly Muslim regions and Arab countries are revolting.
Dean took clear and direct action to ensure that every student who comes to Carolina has the opportunity to grow up into a responsible, well-informed person. Will conservative campus groups do the same?
