A Shift in Campus Culture: Students Push for Real Debate

A professor at Tufts University believes the era of extreme political correctness on college campuses may be coming to an end.

A New Generation of Students

Tired of Performative Politics: A new group of students is emerging, one that is weary of performative politics and craves genuine discussions.
Intelligence Over Stereotypes: These students prefer to be recognized for their intellect and ability to engage in challenging conversations rather than adhering to stereotypical politically correct behavior.
Potential Impact: This shift could lead to improved free speech and a broader range of viewpoints on campuses.

Declining Trust in Colleges: A recent poll indicates that only 35% of Americans consider a college education very important, a significant decrease from previous years.
Cultural Evolution: The professor notes that campus culture evolves with each new student cohort. For instance, many current students were not present during the 2023 protests about Israel and Hamas, which resulted in numerous arrests at institutions like Columbia and UCLA.

Past Interruptions: The professor recalls a time when students would disrupt classes over minor issues, such as the use of the term "Latino" instead of "Latinx."
Current Attitudes: He believes today's students would likely dismiss such behavior with a mere eye roll.
Institutional Responses: Universities are addressing these issues by hiring new faculty and implementing policy changes.

Hope for Improvement: The professor is optimistic that these new students can contribute to making campuses better.
Standing for Truth: He encourages them to advocate for truth and behave with respect.