Defining Academy Values
On Exeter’s campus, it is commonplace to have political discussions on the path and contemplate answers to the world’s biggest problems. This simple fact is a defining characteristic of who we are—unafraid of exploring topics where our viewpoints may still be clouded by ignorance. Our hamartia reveals itself when we take the world’s problems and identify with them so strongly that we are unable to truly empathize with ideological opponents. So when do Exonians determine if someone else’s thought deserves to be respected and understood or refuted as an inappropriate and regressive way of thinking?
Last week a news article in The Exonian brought to light the political background of Fred Grandy ’66, who had been invited to campus this term to teach a seminar series. The article raised questions regarding the integrity of the intellectual atmosphere being created on campus. Grandy has been cited as affiliated with allegedly Islamophobic organizations, and because of this and questions surrounding his character, the Academy decided to cancel the seminar series.
The article seemed perfectly timed considering that the following day students engaged in MLK Day workshops investigating the “Crossroads of Liberty, Oppression and Solidarity.” One of the day’s mandatory events, “At the Crossroads” Town Hall Panel, even included a brief discussion about Islamophobia. One of the panelists, Exeter mathematics instructor Sami Atif, gave his perspective on the issue from his experience as a Muslim in the United States. He openly shared the unfortunate truth that it is necessary to warn his children about stereotypes that will harmfully accompany them as Muslim-Americans. This is not the first time this year that Exeter students have been spoken to about sensitivity toward the Muslim community: one November assembly put on by the Office of Multicultural Affairs spoke about the harmful nature of using stereotypes, specifically regarding race and religion. During the assembly, senior Tan Nazer spoke about the societal pain and discomfort she has been through as a Muslim student in our own community. These facts lead to an important question—is the administration at Phillips Exeter being hypocritical by endorsing speakers who are purposefully advocating against cultural insensitivity while simultaneously bringing in a speaker who has openly expressed himself in culturally insensitive ways?
The Academy must pick a side. Having a speaker with political ties such as Grandy’s does not raise a problem if it has been established that his viewpoints are acknowledged as appropriate for the specific learning context. A possible reason to choose to keep Grandy’s seminar is that the course is not about any topic that necessitates his political viewpoints and that his experience as a politician qualifies him as more than able to facilitate conversation. However, there is still a matter of principle that is violated by having someone who has societal beliefs that are directly contradicting the societal values imposed on Exeter students. Grandy is only one example of ideological contradictions, but the situation is applicable to others. The current circumstances suggests that the Academy is indifferent to the political beliefs of its teachers, even if they are politically incorrect, as long as they are kept out of the classroom. To be clear, there is nothing implicitly wrong with this being the policy, but if this truly is the Academy’s perspective, then it should be made explicitly clear for students, faculty and parents.
This is not a call to silence the voices of speakers and teachers with views that oppose the dominant beliefs. Restricting the voices of people outside of traditional Exeter values only perpetuates ignorance. Hearing more than a singular world philosophy creates much needed intellectual diversity—feeling uncomfortable is a sign of awareness. What should be taken away from the conversations surrounding Grandy’s seminar is a decision regarding values and deciding whether we, Exeter students, are reacting in an irrationally hypersensitive manner toward distant political affiliations or have validity in restricting one’s voice due to harmful societal views. In the case of Grandy, the limited information that students have been given about his personal perspective of the Muslim community suggest that he perpetuates a culture that has been condemned at Phillips Exeter, and that necessitates a serious discussion on what values truly are being represented by the Academy.