Since the start of published an article with quotes from faculty and university leadership praising Gay as “strong leader, brilliant thinker, and a superb scholar.” (The bliss also carried over into student support for Gay’s hiring.)
All of these abilities were hosted in a Black, female body. DEI didn’t tip the scales for Gay, her record did.
But conservatives and “anti-woke liberals” simply cannot accept the legitimacy of a qualified Black woman leading the nation’s premier academic institution, educating some of the world’s top students. So they’re using student advocacy in the wake of international conflict as a conduit to diminish her strength.
The broader issue Gay finds herself in is an ever-expanding, right-wing rage that positions DEI, civil rights, and advocacy for Blacks as essentially a threat to America. The comments under Bill Ackman’s tweet showcase gross support for this theory. For instance, filmmaker Mike Cernovich equated DEI with Marxism and said former Sen. Joseph McCarthy—notorious for his witch hunts for suspected communists, which destroyed numerous lives and robbed innocent people of their livelihoods—was right.
As a student of history I’m reminded of the scores of Black activists who were tracked by the government, arrested, and considered threats to democracy for simply fighting for voting rights, fair wages, and housing. Dr. Gay sits at the intersection of race, gender, and an America that consistently goes back to its mean—which is inequality.
DEI has not afforded opportunities to unqualified individuals. What it has done is open doors for people of color, women, persons with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups who despite their resume, experience, and education were often denied access. DEI isn’t a dirty word. Ensuring America’s workforce, its political leadership, and its educational institutions are reflective of the diverse U.S. that we call home, is a net positive.
Black people have contributed to the growth and strength of America since its founding, but it seems we must continue to fight for belonging and a recognition of our skills and value.
The attacks on Harvard’s first Black president remind Black people that though we call America home, rejection and diminishment await us if we dare to ascend beyond “our place,” a preset destination where white supremacy dictates our futures.
