Generation Snowflake strikes again
The Cavalier Daily reports:
Several groups on Grounds collaborated to write a letter to University President Teresa Sullivan against the inclusion of a Thomas Jefferson quote in her post-election email Nov. 9.
In the email, Sullivan encouraged students to unite in the wake of contentious results, arguing that University students have the responsibility of creating the future they want for themselves.
“Thomas Jefferson wrote to a friend that University of Virginia students ‘are not of ordinary significance only: they are exactly the persons who are to succeed to the government of our country, and to rule its future enmities, its friendships and fortunes,’” Sullivan said in the email. “I encourage today’s U.Va. students to embrace that responsibility.”
Some professors from the Psychology Department — and other academic departments — did not agree with the use of this quote. Their letter to Sullivan argued that in light of Jefferson’s owning of slaves and other racist beliefs, she should refrain from quoting Jefferson in email communications.
“We would like for our administration to understand that although some members of this community may have come to this university because of Thomas Jefferson’s legacy, others of us came here in spite of it,” the letter read. “For many of us, the inclusion of Jefferson quotations in these e-mails undermines the message of unity, equality and civility that you are attempting to convey.”
The letter garnered 469 signatures — from both students and professors — before being sent out via email Nov. 11. Signees included Politics Prof. Nicholas Winter, Psychology Prof. Chad Dodson, Women, Gender and Sexuality Prof. Corinne Field, College Assistant Dean Shilpa Davé, Politics Prof. Lynn Sanders and many more. Asst. Psychology Prof. Noelle Hurd drafted the letter.
When I read this, I thought it was an Onion like satirical article, but it seems to be genuine.
This is beyond political correctness gone mad. They are objecting to a university president quoting Thomas Jefferson. Not Cecil Rhodes, but Thomas Jefferson – one of the most revered founding fathers, author of the Declaration of Independence and most acclaimed US Presidents.
This is why they are called Generation Snowflake. Anyone who gets upset that an e-mail quotes Thomas Jefferson has no business being at university. Hell they have no business having come out of the womb.
The fact some professors signed the letter just shows how out of touch many in academia are.
And if you want to understand why people voted for Donald Trump, despite his massive flaws – well because they are sick of society kowtowing to the signers of the letter.