Diversity, equity and inclusion programs on college campuses are going crazy.
Instead of promoting creative new ideas, equity, and welcoming spaces, DEI departments have been hijacked by ideological extremists to enforce ideological compliance.
Trust me, you should know.
In August 2021, I was hired to lead an institution-wide transformation as Faculty Director for the Office of Equity, Social Justice, and Multicultural Education at De Anza Community College in Cupertino, California. As a lifelong teacher dedicated to pursuing diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and equity and equality in education, this was a dream come true.
Unfortunately, my dream job quickly turned into a nightmare. And finally, they fired me.
I have now come to recognize that the followers of ‘critical social justice theory’ at De Anza College, who view all social dynamics through a lens of power and privilege, also use it as a club to beat and silence others. anyone with whom they disagree. .
Even I, someone some may assume would side with the so-called ‘social justice warriors’, was too unorthodox in my thinking. And I was intimidated.
To be clear, I am neither a liberal nor a conservative, nor a Republican nor a Democrat. I do not identify as a radical, progressive or feminist. I’ve spent my life avoiding labels. I am an educator, scholar, humanist, and critical thinker. And it’s people like me who are unfortunately being pushed out of education.
During the hiring process at De Anza, I was told that the previous leadership running the Office of Equity was “too wide awake” and alienating people. His approach was apparently very aggressive. They would ‘call people up’ and accuse them of racism.
It was a sentiment shared by several people in more than 60 hours of conversations I conducted to assess the needs of the campus. Many expressed discomfort with the university’s intellectually oppressive culture and rigid ideologies.
Even I, someone some may assume would side with the so-called ‘social justice warriors’, was too unorthodox in my thinking. And I was intimidated. (Above) Author, Dr. Tabia Lee
So, I assured the hiring committee that my approach would be different. As I have done throughout my career, I have been committed to creating spaces of inquiry where diverse and even divergent points of view are heard, welcomed and accepted. I believe that through this process, people can find common ground and work together in the best interest of the students.
Little did I know that this approach would be considered a threat by the ideologues at De Anza College. And the conflict broke out almost immediately after I was hired.
I found that fellow faculty and administrators were using definitions of white supremacy that I wasn’t familiar with. For me, white supremacy is associated with white nationalism, the KKK, and neo-Nazi organizations.
In contrast, at De Anza College, white supremacy was often associated with qualities such as being on time, objective thinking, using written communications, setting an agenda, and demonstrating a sense of urgency.
These beliefs aligned with the work of a scholar named Tema Okun and these redefinitions of White Supremacy were not only perpetuated at De Anza College but throughout the California Community College system.
I made it a point to engage with the De Anza community to develop a better understanding of various words and practices.
I questioned why De Anza’s official communications capitalized on some student racial categories and not others. For example, the word ‘black’ was capitalized, while the word ‘white’ was not. I questioned the use of terms like ‘Latinx’ and ‘Filipinx’ to refer to people of Latino and Filipino descent. In my years of experience working with working-class and Spanish-speaking communities, not once has the community used those terms to describe itself.
I think terms like ‘Latinx’ are language manipulations that originated in the Ivory Tower of academia.
In contrast, at De Anza College, white supremacy was often associated with qualities such as being on time, objective thinking, using written communications, setting an agenda, and demonstrating a sense of urgency.
These beliefs aligned with the work of a scholar named Tema Okun and these redefinitions of White Supremacy were not only perpetuated at De Anza College but throughout the California Community College system.
But when I raised these issues for exploration, there was never any constructive engagement. Instead, they put me in the spotlight and accused me of being aligned with right-wing extremists.
For attempting to set an agenda for meetings, I was accused of blank speaking and blank explaining and supporting white supremacy.
As a faculty director, not an administrator, I assumed that I would be allowed all the academic freedoms of speech and expression normally afforded in a tenure position. I made a mistake.
In fact, my tenure review process was subverted by ideological extremists, who used it to harass, intimidate, and eventually fire me.
I now have a better understanding of the dominant ideology at work at De Anza College and many of our California community colleges.
Unfortunately, some bad actors working under the banner of ‘Critical Social Justice’ are subverting the tenure review processes and creating an ideological litmus test for career advancement.
A tenure review process, or any teacher evaluation process, should be an objective, evidence-based process. In my case, it was used as an authoritative enforcement mechanism.
My great fear is that if the people who promote Critical Social Justice ideology have their way, the faculty at California Community Colleges will have to profess allegiance to certain rigid ideas.
In fact, my tenure review process was subverted by ideological extremists, who used it to harass, intimidate, and eventually fire me.
Teachers will be forced to commit to incorporating these ideas into their course curriculum. They will be forced to pronounce their pronouns and require all members of their class to do the same. They will have to see each student as either a victim or an oppressor.
There’s a reason these bogus academics insist on ousting freethinkers from their midst: it’s because they can’t stand up for their own ideas.
I hope that by sharing my story, I can shed light on this problem. And since I applied, many people have contacted me and say they have experienced the same treatment.
Too many faculty at California Community Colleges are afraid to challenge this emerging ideology of Critical Social Justice. Too many are afraid to question or resist lest they be labeled racist or worse.
History has shown us that authoritarianism advances through confidence in intimidation and the conformity of a majority that cowers in fear.
To educators, I encourage you to continue asking questions and promoting critical thinking. There are remedies to protect your civil liberties. And I want you to know that you are not alone.
