Professor Greg Richens: “Right-wing Tool Spreading Anti-Intellectual Propaganda”

There is no safe haven from the woke progressive student mob, including quiet Weber State University in conservative Utah. In his ‘Social Problems’ (Sociology 1020) class, instructor Greg Richens assigned an article by the respected poverty researcher Robert Rector, who has a longtime affiliation with the conservative Heritage Foundation.

Over many years of teaching at Weber State, Professor Richens has received relatively few hostile responses from students over the sources he has used in his courses or the material he has presented during his classroom lectures. However, Dr. Richens observes that this appears to be changing and begs the question of why now? In personal correspondence with me, he posed the question:

"Why has academia turned to such caustic opposition for any alternative view that doesn't fit within a more progressive position? Why fear learning? And doesn't the ability to solve social problems invariably hinge upon analyzing those problems within a more complete spectrum of ideas and theoretical frameworks”?

Wow. This guy should be president of the ASA!

Student Objects to Inclusion of Rector’s Article: This is How Intolerance is Spread

After seeing the assigned reading, an outraged student (Eric_the on Reddit) posted on social media that he was considering dropping the class. He included his email to Professor Richens in which he expressed contempt for Rector’s article and concern that assigning Rector’s article “is one of the ways intolerance is being spread”.

The student also shared Professor Richens’ personal email response to him, in which he countered that the article “is designed to stimulate thought regardless of whether one agrees with the position”, adding that students “should never be afraid of any alternative point of view”.

While a handful of Reddit commenters shared Richens’ view that reading materials that challenge one's positions can be beneficial, the majority of comments denounced the professor, and amplified the students’ outrage.

“Drop it and Find a Course Being Taught by a Sociologist, not a Right-Wing Tool”

The majority of responders urged the student to drop the class. Reddit user unity-thru-uncertainty said to “drop it and find a sociology professor that leans more toward the conflict theory”. User Athene_cunicularia23 adds “you won't learn much that's useful if you continue with that instructor”. “Drop it”, Electronic_Gap3253 exhorts. “There are conflicting viewpoints and then there is garbage that people should be ashamed of even presenting”. “Drop it and find a course being taught by a sociologist, not a right-wing tool”, DrBlankslate chimes in.

Par for the course in sociology, no consideration was given to Rector’s arguments or the thinking behind them. “Definitely propaganda”, justaranddomv2 asserts. “Ugh”, pinkylemonade shrieks, “I couldn’t get past the introduction without a lot of cringing and head-shaking”. “You could tear this article up”, hellaHeAther430 adds: “It was painful to my soul. How easy it would be to find data that would counter whatever lame reason the article has for why Americans are in poverty.”

“You Should Report Him to the Department Head”

Most alarming was the large number of commenting students seeking to report and discipline Professor Richens. This is a serious threat given that the sociological establishment goes out of its way to squelch its opponents. Below are some representative attacks:

“If what is in the article is that bad, you should report him to the department head. Blaming poverty on “illegals” is blatant misinformation and if he is presenting this as something worth study he’s spreading anti-intellectual propaganda”. (ven-solaire)

“Ask in class why they chose that article and if they are aware of the source, very politely. If they seem unaware, express your concern to them and to the Dean or Chair of Dept” (Manzinita)

“We had an instructor like this. Eventually enough people complained to the department coordinater and his contract was not renewed”. (SensitiveContract440)

“I would report it to someone at the department if they would care…”(MiserableMsAble)

Conclusion: The Fervor of the Student Emancipation Brigade

This sordid episode at remote Weber State is telling because it documents the pervasiveness of the progressive woke takeover of sociology and the hubris and excesses of the left-wing dominance that has become embedded in the discipline. It highlights the classroom-level realities, fervor of the student emancipation brigade, and the well-established methods they employ including bullying, intimidation, silencing and reporting.

Epilogue

Professor Richens informed me that the student emailed him again with a further, even more hostile message. Richens’ response bears witness to the exemplary standards for integrity and viewpoint diversity that is so lacking in the discipline. Here is his full email:

Fred (not real name):

You expose your own bias when you choose to avoid anything that doesn't fit your idea of what is an appropriate source and then choose to not read or entertain an alternative point of view. Such a position could easily be viewed as intellectually lazy or out of touch with the diversity of opinions that exist in our society. I'm ok with this because you are in control of how much you truly want to learn.

As I said before, articles, information, and sources provided to students in my class are designed to stimulate thought regardless of whether one agrees with the respective premise or position taken by the authors of a source, many with whom I might personally disagree myself. 

Most sources in the social sciences are inherently biased depending on one's perspective. Such organizations as the Heritage Foundation, the Brookings Institution, the Cato Institute, Progressive Policy Institute, or from independent social science and public policy researchers most always have a particular agenda.

Not everyone will agree with findings involving social policy. My hope is that students in college should think, cogently point out the things they disagree with by avoiding histrionics, and never fear any alternative point of view or position. To me, this is the quintessential definition of free thought and allowing oneself to be challenged to think.

Students who truly are looking for ways to learn are not afraid of ideas or positions outside of what they are comfortable with, conservative or progressive. For me, I have a very eclectic philosophy and I am neither conservative or progressive, nor am I afraid of information which comes from those with whom I disagree.

My love for learning is manifested in ways where I enjoy reading material from all sources which challenges me to think. I can't do this in a proverbial echo chamber where I only expose myself to things I happen to agree with.

As I said before, I do not require my students to agree with me to get a good grade like some professors do. In fact, many of my students would most likely be surprised if they truly understood my personal and political philosophy...including you.

Becoming hostile and calling me names in your email because you personally disagree with material I have provided to students is certainly not an emotionally intelligent method of conversation, nor does it provide any meaningful opportunity for learning.

I hope the academic journey for learning you have chosen for yourself works for you.