Top journalism school teaches students to avoid harmful ‘microaggressions’ that display ‘myth of meritocracy’

A top journalism school is being accused of “forcing political indoctrination” on students in a required diversity course for undergraduates.

A new report from the Goldwater Institute claims students at Arizona State University’s The Cronkite School are required to learn about racial microaggressions,” and “cisgender privilege” in a course called “Diversity and Civility at Cronkite.”

“More than 400 students were required to take this class in the Fall 2023 semester alone, with more than 2,000 hours of class time spent on what may as well be called Trendy Topics in Progressive Politics 101,” Goldwater wrote in a press release.

“The Cronkite School is supposed to be one of the country’s preeminent training grounds for journalists; instead it’s forcing cultural and political indoctrination down students’ throats,” the group said.

Assignments allegedly given in the first unit of the course break down diversity in the categories of race, gender, sexuality, citizenship and disability.

This suggests a person’s race, gender identity, and sexuality are viewed as “the most important aspects of his or her experience,” the report said.

In the second unit of the course, students are allegedly taught about avoiding harmful racial microaggressions, such as calling America a “melting pot,” which sends the message that immigrants should “assimulate/acculturate to the dominant culture.”

Other problematic phrases include, “I believe the most qualified person should get the job” and “Everyone can succeed in this society, if they work hard enough.” The assignment says these phrases display the “myth of meritocracy,” and send the message that “People of color are given extra unfair benefits because of their race,” and “People of color are lazy and / or incompetent and need to work.”