Anderson University has canceled plans for its listening sessions – a series of racially-segregated meetings that were intended to teach students about inclusivity.
“It has become apparent that our plans for listening sessions have caused concern,” Anderson University President John S. Pistole said in a statement. “As such, we have postponed all sessions to ensure we move forward positively with our students and to ensure that all stakeholders, both inside and outside of Anderson University, fully comprehend our institutional mission.”
The University’s decision followed outrage from school staff, students, and local media who said the planned ‘colored’ sessions and ‘white’ sessions would foster an environment of discrimination.
Officials at Anderson University received a letter Wednesday from a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights saying the sessions were a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“Please note that there [are] no ‘unless you have good intentions’ exceptions to Title VI and Title VII,” Commissioner Peter N. Kirsanow, a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, said in a letter to Pistole. “Students and employees may not be excluded from participation in a program due to their race or segregated by race,” he wrote.
“Racial segregation is still unlawful, even if it advantages the ‘right’ racial categories for the ‘right’ reasons. Regardless of any ideological posturing, the law on this matter is clear.”
English professor Elizabeth Boltz Ranfeld, who teaches at Anderson University, slammed the University’s decision to cancel the sessions, saying white people create their own “spaces” but when Black, indigenous, and people of color do the same, they become offended.
STEM Admin and Executive Director of Chalkboard Review Tony Kinnett called into the Hammer and Nigel Show Monday to discuss Anderson University’s decision to cancel its listening sessions. Click below to listen.
https://omny.fm/shows/hammer-and-nigel-show/tony-kinnett-talks-update-on-anderson-university-s
