The St. George’s “community (is) centered on a commitment to inclusivity consistent with its Episcopal heritage.”
Their Diversity Vision Statement says, “We believe that exposing students, faculty and staff to a wide range of ideas, experiences and cultures, examining and challenging preconceptions, and exploring different ways of thinking enhances the learning experience and reflects the school’s educational mission. This inclusive approach helps to foster a welcoming, supportive and healthy residential community that embraces differences and promotes genuine respect for each individual.”
Recently, this was put to the test when a student asked to host Tucker Carlson, an alum and parent of several graduates, for an on-campus interview.
Like most independent schools, the school “speakers” are all from the same category and preach about race and gender ideology from the same anti-intellectual and ideologically homogeneous perspective.
At St. George's, students are avoiding Republican Club meetings because they don’t want to be identified and judged negatively. There is a feeling that students can’t express a conservative perspective because there is a cost to those who disagree with the prevailing “acceptable worldview.”
Within this context, a student from the Speech and Debate Club at the school arranged and conducted the interview with Carlson. For various reasons concerning “student” safety, this interview took place over Zoom. Controversy has arisen because Carlson recorded himself doing the Zoom, yet, no students were seen or identified. Kudos to the student who was unafraid to express his values and conducted a solid interview.
During their conversation, Tucker Carlson lauds the transformative power of independent schools but also warns that they are failing their students because of their culture of fear and conformity. His assessment of the current independent school landscape is consistent with what many parents/students have been experiencing. Carlson provides a glimpse into who is really running these schools and the influence the faculty has. Watch this clip to see just how this played out.
As might be expected, the school had the last word. Here is the letter that was sent to the community.
This seems like a missed opportunity for the school to come together, listen, engage in civil discourse, and ask hard questions. At the very least, it demonstrated that “inclusion and belonging” is only for people who conform to the groupthink that exists on campus.