Villanova is now an Antiracist University

Villanova is now an Antiracist University - is that a bad thing?

Rod Dreher wrote an article published in The American Conservative titled "What's Happening To Villanova."* Mr. Dreher provides a copy of a letter published by Father President Peter Donohue and then Mr. Dreher goes on to rip into the University because of the letter.

If the only evidence is what is said in Father Peter's message, and that is the only evidence Mr. Dreher offers, then I have to disagree with Mr. Dreher's interpretation. Here is an alternative view of what Father Peter said:

- We want Villanova to be antiracist. Good. I'm against racism and I'm glad Villanova is too.

- Antiracist means justice and equity for everyone. I really like that comment. When the phrase "Black Lives Matter" first became popular didn't many people (including myself at the time) respond, "All Lives Matter." Here we have Father Peter saying antiracist doesn't mean we should try to protect one group of people, it means we should try to protect all people. I agree with that 100%.

- Compassion and empathy to Asian Americans due to the events in Atlanta. What do we expect from a Catholic Priest who heads a Catholic University? Do we expect him to say "screw them, the <insert racially derogatory name here>, I never liked them anyway?" Of course not, we expect him to say exactly what he said. And why shouldn't we all say that?

- Regarding LGBTQAI+, he wants all people to feel welcome at Villanova, particularly those who have suffered exclusion. Isn't that what the Church is all about? Hasn't the Catholic Church been held out as a place of "sanctuary" through history? Perhaps that concept has been idealized, and maybe the Church hasn't always lived up to it, but it is the ideal and good for Father Peter saying Villanova wants to adhere to that ideal. Personally, I don't hate LGBTQAI+ individuals. I don't agree with the political views of some of them or their organizations, but I would not want to see any of them come to harm physically, emotionally or otherwise. They are still Americans and they have rights just like all other Americans. Kudos to Father Peter saying Villanova doesn't want them to be harmed either.

- "Understanding those around us will help us do everything we do here at Villanova better." He's right. Understanding others and their problems can make what we do so much better than the name calling and smears and cancel culture environment we currently endure because people don't want to take the time to listen and understand.

The author of the article says "To be an 'antiracist' campus is to embrace the crackpot neoracist ideology of Ibram X. Kendi." I'm curious what law, regulation, or other requirement requires Villanova to embrace that ideology? Is it a federal, state or local law that requires a college that wants to be antiracist to embrace that ideology? Or is it in the Catholic Church canon? Of course not.

But let's be realistic, the author's concerns are not unfounded. Given what we have seen on college campuses in the last decade, I think we have reason to be vigilant in watching what happens next at Villanova. But Father Peter's message was only issued last Friday. Now we need to watch and see what Villanova does and whether they live up to his words.

Will the University really enforce justice and equity for everyone or just provide justice and equity for preferred groups and individuals? For example, will conservatives be protected the same as progressives? Will individuals accused of sexual misconduct be found guilty without due process? Will white people be according justice and equity and protected from the kinds of false accusations and abusive behavior we saw some subjected to at Smith College?**

I think the better course of action as a concerned Alumni is to applaud Father President Donohue and remind him that "words matter" and encourage him and the University to live up to exactly what he said - equality and justice for all.

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* See The American Conservative: What's Happening To Villanova? | The American Conservative

** See NY Times: Inside a Battle Over Race, Class and Power at Smith College

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