The task of the scholar is to present a case for his or her position based on evidence and logic. Another task of the scholar is to do so in a way that invites everybody into the discussion rather than demonize those who disagree. Try to find anything under my name that is not written in that spirit. Try to find even a paragraph that is written in anger, takes a cheap shot, or attacks women, African Americans, Latinos, Asians, or anyone else.
—Charles Murray, “An Open Letter To the Students of Azusa Pacific University” (HT: Aquila Report)
I read about Azusa Pacific University’s cancellation of Dr. Murray’s appearance there. The stated reason was that his speech might be offensive to “faculty and students of color.” This is a slap in the face, no doubt. If Dr. Murray’s ideas are offensive, shouldn’t everyone be offended by them? It’s a slap in the face of white people to suggest that only people of color might be offended by them. If, on the other hand, his ideas are not offensive, its a slap in the face of people of color to suggest that they might take offense at them.
Schools promote themselves in many ways. Some advertise great athletic programs, dynamic faculty, great facilities, brand new dorms, or dining halls serving the latest cuisine. Maybe APU will advertise itself as “the place where you won’t be offended.” Will people pay $40,000 per year for that?
College has become an expensive joke.
It’s doubtful anyone ‘of color’ was ever offended by anything Murray has ever written. Rather, white people at Azusa Pacific are getting ‘offended’ on behalf of nonwhite people so they can control other white people by controlling what white people are allowed to say (and think).