After canceling a Young Americans for Freedom chapter’s event that would have highlighted the voice of Vince Ellison, a bold voice in the fight against the Left’s DEI agenda, Westminster College decided that what students really need is a “reflective dialogue” to help process the perceived “trauma” that Ellison’s opinions could have brought to campus, had he been allowed to speak.
As previously reported by the New Guard, Ellison’s lecture, titled “DEI, Abortion & Transgenderism: The Destruction of American Liberty,” was canceled after Vice President for Student Affairs Gina Vance gradually imposed absurd restrictions and conditions that would have made a successful event impossible. Ultimately, Vance canceled the event and would not allow the students to appeal her decision.
An email sent yesterday evening by Director of DEI Education Sherese Newell announced that the two processing sessions–one intended for “students who feel challenged by Vince Ellison’s viewpoints,” and another for those who agree with him–will provide students “a unique opportunity to process [their] thoughts and feelings.”
Hosting a processing session for an event that was not allowed to take place is, of course, ridiculous.
Instead of permitting genuine dialogue that could have taken place during the question-and-answer session that was scheduled to take place following Ellison’s lecture, Westminster College wants students to criticize his viewpoints in an echochamber of others who already share the same commitment to the Left’s divisive agenda.
Moreover, by segregating students into groups based on their alignment with Ellison’s viewpoints, the college is only deepening existing divisions and preventing the possibility of students reaching any level of mutual agreement.
“It’s clear what they’re trying to do here. They canceled our event in order to take control of the narrative and discuss these issues on their terms. We will continue to expose this and not let that happen,” said Dylan Kresak, chairman of Westminster YAF.
Young America’s Foundation is continuing to work with Dylan and his chapter to ensure that Ellison’s important perspectives can be shared on campus next semester.
