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Articles on political correctness

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“Woke” is today’s “political correctness.” But even though the terminology has changed, the misconceptions remain. (Clay Banks/Unsplash)

Here’s what ‘woke’ means and how to respond to it

We need to contemplate wokeness so as to avoid polarizing polemics and to increase mutual understanding.
Both Andrew Jackson, left, and Donald Trump presented themselves as men of the people. Jackson, Library of Congress; Trump, Drew Angerer/Getty Images

All American presidents have made spectacles of themselves – and there’s nothing wrong with that

A president’s persona is always a public act. In that way, Trump’s shtick – vulgar man of the people – was not exceptional. And every president has had to invent his version of the role.
President-elect Trump at a post-election rally in Mobile, Alabama, Dec. 17, 2016. Mark Wallheiser/Getty

A field guide to Trump’s dangerous rhetoric

Donald Trump uses language like a dangerous demagogue. The author of a book on Trump’s rhetorical skill gives a guide to the six most important rhetorical strategies Trump uses.
Oberlin College’s lawsuit raises issues for global higher education, and has implications for U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Rich private colleges in the U.S. are fuelling inequality – and right-wing populism

Is a $25 million judgement against Oberlin College going to chill free speech – or is the wealth of a publicly subsidized private college helping polarize debates about race and politics?
President Donald Trump holds up an executive order requiring colleges to certify that their policies support free speech as a condition of receiving federal research grants. Jacquelyn Martin/AP

What President Trump’s executive order on campus free speech is really meant to do

Though largely political and symbolic, the campus free speech order that President Trump issued matters because it ties millions of federal research dollars to how well colleges protect free speech.
Students at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont., participate in protests against the appearance at the school of Faith Goldy, a white nationalist, in March 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Hannah Yoon

Protecting free speech on campus: A solution in search of a problem

The Ford government in Ontario is taking aim at free speech on the province’s campuses. But is it addressing a problem that doesn’t exist?
The controversial opinions of University of Toronto professor Jordan Peterson have garnered interest around the world and have led to wide media exposure, including this interview with Britain’s Channel 4 News. Channel 4/YouTube

Is Jordan Peterson the philosopher of the fake news era?

Jordan Peterson is now a right-wing darling for his views on everything from transgender people, the #MeToo movement and political correctness on campus. But he’s not saying anything new.
Protesters demonstrate on the University of Washington campus where far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos was giving a speech in Seattle on the same day Donald Trump was sworn in as president. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Free expression at universities gagged by anti-Trump backlash

Differences of opinion are the lifeblood of universities and essential to advancing knowledge. But some universities are giving in to intimidation by cancelling events with controversial speakers.
19th-century philosopher John Stuart Mill was a leading thinker on free speech. London Stereoscopic Company

Explainer: what is free speech?

The concept of ‘free speech’ is devilishly difficult, and depends greatly on a person’s political and philosophical viewpoint.

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