The Glenn Show John McWhorter – A New Agenda for Higher Ed?
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May 30, 2025 
Join John McWhorter, a Columbia University professor and New York Times writer renowned for his insights on race and language, as he dives into the future of higher education. He discusses the potential of new institutions like the University of Austin and critiques the impact of social justice initiatives on academic curricula. John also reflects on his visit to the National Museum of African American History, advocating for a narrative that highlights resilience and achievement. The conversation culminates in a vital examination of DEI initiatives' complexities and their consequences in academia.
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Music Theory labeled racially biased
- Philip Ewell, a black musicologist, argues music theory is racist due to hierarchical concepts linked to racial power structures.
- His theory challenged traditional music syllabi, illustrating how social justice ideas influence academic fields.
Balance social justice with academic rigor
- Social justice concerns about whose voice and power matter are vital but shouldn't overshadow all academic inquiry.
- A balanced approach is needed to avoid oversimplifying fields into only power relations and identity struggles.
Dinner highlights academic focus tension
- At a dinner, a black graduate student focused on discrimination in disability treatment, while another celebrated composer Victor Herbert, showing differing interests.
- This highlighted tension where social justice focus sometimes sidelines broader cultural appreciation.
