Mao Zedong once said that “to read too many books is harmful.” It appears that many in higher education agree. Not only are writers and intellectuals now supporting blacklisting authors, but universities regularly see speakers banned or cancelled on campuses. Certain views are now viewed as “harmful” and thus intolerable. That latest example is perhaps the most tragically ironic. Associated Students of Whitworth University voted 9-4 to bar Chinese dissident Xi Van Fleet from coming to campus to share her experience as a survivor of Maoist China. Her criticism of “woke” culture in the United States was deemed too harmful for any student to hear.

Students objected to Van Fleet’s tweets on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Black Lives Matter, the LGBTQ community and “environmental justice” among other social justice initiatives.

[Oh, the irony. Would it surprise you to know that Whitworth “affirms freedom of expression” in its mission statement? No? Then it probably won’t surprise you that Mao himself largely seems to be directing how Whitworth and other universities interpret “freedom of expression.” Be sure to read all of Turley’s column, and then see these stories through that lens from now on. — Ed]