One Noam Chomsky Too Many

Anti-intellectualism is a value intrinsically connected with neo-conservatism. Conservatives fear the unbridled exercise of free speech in the same way that those who espouse such academic freedom fear its suppression. Animated by political victory, the right has gone on a witch hunt in order to suffocate the final refuge for progressive thinkers—American Universities. American higher-level education is the last frontier for conservative power; according to an array of questionable polls and dubious statistics, democrats not only dominate the professorate, but infest their students with their radical beliefs.

Hate groups like Campus Watch, Academic Bias, and Students for Academic Freedom, along with new governmental legislature (Senate Bill 24), have formed for the sole purpose of battling leftism within academia. Throughout history, hatred for the radical professorate has faded in and out, reflecting our political landscape. Just like Senator McCarthy before us, we are entering a conservative right crusade against free thought, dissent, and a crusade to quell controversy.

In fact, Larry Mumper, senator of Ohio, introduced a bill, The Academic Bill of Rights, specifically to suppress left wing professors. Mumper claimed that “80 percent” of professors, "are Democrats, liberals or socialists or card-carrying Communists.” I ask you, when is the last time you’ve met a communist? A socialist? Communism, according to Mumper, is merely a euphemism for, “people who try to over-regulate and try to bring in a lot of issues we don’t agree with.” Hmm. When asked how he would enforce his Academic Bill of Rights, Mumper admitted that, “we’re going to put in some ways to monitor classrooms” to enforce this bill. The irony is palpable.

With liberalism wounded, communism dead, and the power of democrats diminished, it’s hard to believe that the leftwing professorate is indoctrinating our youth with anti-Americanism like the conservatives might contend. The conservative desire for dissent within the classroom is propagated through a sense of affirmative actions and victim hood, trademarks of stereotypical liberalism. Should U.S. colleges truly mirror the socioeconomic landscape of the country? Jews, a mere 1.3% of the population, appreciably over represent universities, but that doesn’t mean they marginalize the views of the Christians; just like an overabundance of democrats doesn’t mean the views of republicans are marginalized.

David Horowitz, the leader of Students for Academic Freedom, encourages students to report professors who diverge from mainstream ideology, effectively empowering the students to regulate the professor. Though they claim they’re fighting for academic freedom, in reality, they’re merely restricting it.