Fascism in the colleges

Frank Borzage, Oscar winning director twice, was almost the only American who was filming anti-nazi dramas before 1942; of course such activity was not appreciated by some. Only for a short time, roughly 1942 to 1946 was it safe to speak ill of fascism in America. Now we have a fascist party, which enjoys doing fascist things; but does not like to be called fascist. They like to call Democracy fascism, they follow the way of Goebbels as Orwell described.

film: The Mortal Storm 1940
Hol, leader Hitler Youth: Tell us the difference between Aryan and non-Aryan blood.
Prof. Roth: Science has found no difference.
Hol: Do you hear that? It's a direct contradiction to our leader's principle of racial purity! It's an impudent defense of racial degeneration, and it's a lie!
Prof. Roth: I've given you the facts. Scientific truth is scientific truth! Unchangeable and eternal! It cannot be altered to suit the policies of the hour, or the clamor of immature hoodlums!

Something to consider with the Ohio legislature's Senate Bill 1 which gives fascists control of public university classrooms. Most of the ire pro and con is over "DEI", diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is national. Equity was a Roman legal concept. Is fairness towards all people to be promoted, or denied? Or only those that traditionally been favored? But it goes far beyond that.

One matter is the Orwellian, and Republican speak term "intellectual diversity". Accepted scientific, and historical truth must be allowed to be vigorously challenged. Any crackpot, or propagandist is to be allowed to blather. Beyond that, any professor, or instructor can be reported by the politically motivated, or disgruntled. Certain topics and ideas will be coerced to silence, or the attack is on. Academic freedom is to be destroyed. Beyond that the university must invite outside speakers of these anti-academic ideas to campus.

Another matter is a crackdown on faculty. Exacting and detailed syllabuses will be on school's websites. Every instructor is suspect. It is McCarthyism. Strikes are forbidden. Any rights had can be taken away by newly empowered trustees. Labor is to be kept trampled. Job security is up to the whims of these newly empowered commandants.

Another odd thing is a mandatory course on American political documents, and capitalism. Those are two different things, not one thing. Will teachers and students be allowed to challenge capitalism? or will they be indoctrinated with it? Reading of Adam Smith will be required. Will it be 'taught' in the manner of true believers?

____________________________

postscriptum 28 March 2025: governor signed the bill, we await legal challenge, but Ohio Republicans are not interested in such legalities.