Thank the Dean of Stanford Law for Recommitting to Free Speech
Earlier this month an insolent mob of unhinged students sabotaged a Federalist Society chapter meeting at Stanford Law School. Their goal: to shut down speaker Stuart Kyle Duncan, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. Worst of all: a member of the Stanford Law faculty led the charge!
Tirien Steinbach, the school’s associate dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), commandeered the podium and lectured the judge, insisting he was responsible for “disenfranchisement,” “harm,” and “tearing at the fabric of this community.”
In the aftermath of this shameful display, Stanford Law apologized to Duncan, igniting protests on campus. But Dean Jenny Martinez didn’t back down.
Last week, Dean Martinez doubled down in a lengthy letter underscoring that a “commitment to diversity and inclusion means that we must protect the expression of all views.”
Principled stands like this are becoming increasingly rare in higher education. A commitment to welcoming diverse views used to be expected at universities; these days, it is worthy of praise.
Send a message of thanks to Dean Martinez using the form on this page. Hopefully her courage is contagious.