Knowledge is information gained by experience through schooling, reasoning, or association, while wisdom is how to use what one knows. Knowledge can exist without wisdom, but wisdom requires having knowledge, something that extends beyond “feeling” or “believing.” Higher education must not be held hostage to politically driven interpretations of knowledge or else wisdom will become irrelevant.
Academic subjects should be taught in a classroom environment that encourages critical thinking, respectful disagreement and pursuit of objective truth through a thorough investigation of subject matter that includes exposure to diverse concepts and schools of thought.
History belongs to everyone and should be preserved without bias. Cultural artifacts and historic artworks should never be obscured, hidden or suppressed to further a political or ideological agenda.
“Equity” in the “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” division at institutions of higher education in Alabama does not translate as “equality.” Equity is interpreted by colleges and universities as recognizing all outcomes in study, research, and learning as the same; while putting excellence, hard work, individual efforts, and basic intellectual abilities aside in favor of race, sexual preferences, ethnic origins and other factors extraneous to a true learning environment.
Admissions and hiring decisions should be based on merit and provide equality of opportunity. Campus culture should support diversity and inclusion by promoting cooperative, respectful relationships between faculty and students, freedom of speech and open dialogue.
Colleges and universities should ensure that degree programs prepare graduates for meaningful employment in their chosen professions. They should be fiscally transparent and responsible, operate with balanced budgets and offer affordable tuition that ensures students and their families will not take on large debts.
