Controversial law professor Amy Wax of the University of Pennsylvania’s Carey Law School has once again invited the noted white supremacist, Jared Taylor, to speak on campus. Wax has stoked controversy in the past with her outright racist remarks, continued associations with white nationalist causes, and troubling references to Wikipedia as core sources for developing her arguments.
Taylor, who maintains allegations of genetic inferiority between white people and people of color, has been invited to address Wax’s class on November 28. This move has added to the growing concerns about Wax’s actions and her opaque approach to academic freedom. While the principle of academic freedom holds that scholars should be allowed to pursue research freely, Wax’s provocative actions appear to venture into the realm of “trolling” under the guise of academia, rather than contributing anything of substance to the field of law.
It is important to note that this isn’t the first time Wax has invited Taylor to the law school. Her previous decision to invite him had already led to calls for her tenure to be revoked. However, as long as Wax remains part of the faculty, it seems that she is unlikely to deviate from her contentious practices; according to a recent syllabus acquired by the Daily Pennsylvanian.
Amidst the turmoil, it is becoming increasingly challenging for the University of Pennsylvania to continue distancing itself from Wax’s concerning actions. There is a growing consensus that the university has let such incidences drag on for far longer than appropriate for a supposedly self-respecting institution.
More information can be gleaned from reports by the Daily Pennsylvanian and The Independent.
For a fuller picture of Amy Wax’s tumultuous history, one can refer to her previous episodes, her strained interpretations of academic freedom, or her questionable legal defense fundraising practices.
As the situation unfolds, it underscores the need for constant vigilance and serious discourse on not only the true essence of academic freedom in legal education but also the role of educators in shaping society’s future legal minds.