Declaration Regarding University Education in Manhattan
In recent times, a group of scholars, intellectuals, and policy leaders have come together to discuss reform in higher education. Led by Christopher F. Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute known for his activism against critical race theory and transgender ideology, this coalition aims to address concerns about the state of education in the United States.
The group's efforts are outlined in the Manhattan Statement, a vision for reform that criticises universities for abandoning their founding principles and pursuing ideologies that corrupt knowledge. They accuse these institutions of violating their commitment to serve above day-to-day politics and instead adopting a narrow political agenda.
One of the key issues raised is the degradation of the liberal arts. Universities are accused of degrading the liberal arts with reductive ideologies that no longer aim to preserve and discover what is highest in man but to unleash resentments against Western civilization.
Another concern is the building of enormous "diversity, equity, and inclusion" bureaucracies. The coalition argues that these structures discriminate on the basis of race and violate the principle of equality. They accuse universities of contributing to initiatives that infringe on America's long-standing rights and liberties, such as digital censorship, public health lockdowns, and race-based redistribution.
The coalition also criticises universities for corrupting faculty hiring practices. They argue that these practices are now influenced by racial quotas, ideological filters, and diversity statements, rather than merit and academic excellence.
Notable individuals affiliated with various institutions who support this reform movement include John Cochrane from Stanford University, Jay Greene from the Heritage Foundation, Joshua Katz from the American Enterprise Institute, Jim Piereson from the Manhattan Institute, Christina Hoff Sommers also from the American Enterprise Institute, Bradley Thompson from Clemson University, and Pavlos Papadopoulos from Wyoming Catholic College, among others.
The coalition's efforts extend beyond the United States, with scholars like Pedro Domingos from the University of Washington and Gad Saad from Concordia University in Canada also lending their support.
The concerns raised by this coalition highlight a growing debate about the role and direction of higher education in society. As the discussion continues, it is hoped that universities will reconsider their approach and reaffirm their commitment to academic excellence, intellectual freedom, and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.
