Princeton University’s “Everybody Else Does it” Defense - Granite Grok

Princeton University’s “Everybody Else Does it” Defense

Princeton Uses the “Everybody Else Does it” Defense.

The Department of Education (DoE) is investigating Princeton’s admission of violation of the Civil Rights Act. What happened is the school’s president said racism remains “embedded” in the university. In response to the DoE’s inquiry, Princeton claims the school does not actively discriminate.

Related: Systemic Racism Update: Gate Keepers and Gate Crashers

In responding to the Department of Education Princeton is using the “everybody else does it” defense. The federal government acknowledged the remarks of the Princeton University President. It did so with a federal civil rights inquiry.

But also that systemic racism still exists on campus. Here’s the doublespeak in their own words.

“Princeton has long been committed to creating and maintaining a community where all can thrive, and stands by its representations … that is complies with all laws and regulations governing equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and harassment,” the Princeton letter reads. “The university also stands by our statements about the prevalence of systemic racism and our commitment to reckon with its continued effects.”

On Sept. 2, Princeton President Eisgruber told students and staff that “racist assumptions from the past … remain embedded in structures of the university itself.”

Following his statement, the DoE made a request for information regarding Princeton’s acceptance and hiring processes. A finding of a violation of civil rights law by the school makes it ineligible for the many millions of dollars in federal funding it receives annually.

Princeton has condemned the department’s investigation.

Princeton said, “It is unfortunate that the department appears to believe that grappling honestly with the nation’s history and the current effects of systemic racism runs afoul of existing law…”

Princeton is using an “oldy but a goody” defense popular in middle school. That “everybody else does it.” But one would think an Ivy League College would come up with something better.

Being intelligent doesn’t mean you are infallible. Sometimes you screw up. Then you admit your mistake and make it right.

Maybe Princeton President Eisgruber was just out of line. Guess we are going to find out.

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