Oakland University welcomed CNN legal and political analyst, award-winning author and speaker Sophia A. Nelson during the week of April 1 for a series of discussions.
Nelson offered lectures on growth and experience in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
Her week-long residency began with the “Varner Vitality Lecture” on April 1 at 11:30 a.m. in the Oakland Center’s Founders Ballrooms. She explained the need for DEI and provided a book signing at the end.
The lecture started with the United States motto, introducing the difficulties faced by DEI in America and expressing the idea of the nation now divided.
“E pluribus unum — out of many, one,” Nelson said. “Fast forward to where we find ourselves right now in 2024.”
“Let’s consider state legislatures banning books or women from reproductive healthcare,” Nelson added. “Our college campuses — many of them have become battlegrounds of anger and violent protests versus a place of civil debate, and for some, they see freedom being taken away.”
The new set of values and beliefs are silenced by wokeness and guides the audience to understand its impacts.
“They see the rise of DEI as a threat to well-established Americans, contrary to the way things used to be and the way they should be,” Nelson said. “They feel entitled to take freedom from others while at the same time demanding that individual liberties and personal freedoms never be taken from them.”
Nelson emphasized the importance of the new generation not engaging in hate speech. She said that redefining freedom is a way for American liberty to promote genuine inclusion for all.
“If we can talk, listen and see humanity in one another, I believe that we can heal this country for the next generation,” Nelson said.
These statements are voiced by universities today, making it a priority to protect speech instead of turned violence.
“We cannot use the liberal means to protect our liberal democracy,” Nelson said. “Tolerance and respect for different viewpoints do not mean agreement.”
Nelson focused on the conflict in the Gaza Strip and sexist or colorist remarks made towards women and women of color concerning DEI. Safeguarding academic freedom is paramount in upholding the fundamental principles of democracy, she said.
“We must all engage and adapt to protect our freedoms and viewpoint diversity at all costs because they are the fundamental backbone of who we are,” Nelson said.
She explained how everyone wants their identities, including gender or race, to be paramount or superior. Equating emotional discomfort with physical pain has challenged the public square debate, she said.
“If I’m wrong, educate me, don’t belittle me,” Nelson said. “We must unequivocally embrace DEI and work to reform it along the way.”
Nelson noted that the past is prolonged, and situations will repeat themselves unless interrupted.
“University leaders and courts must clearly define what their colleges and universities can and cannot do relative to freedom of speech on campus,” Nelson said.
These interrupted beliefs are based on emotional strides and not through guided conversations.
“I believe we should require constitutionally sound free speech and DEI training,” Nelson said. “We should engage all of our students in emotional intelligence training as well as conflict resolution.”
The event highlighted the need for change by educators guiding the way.
“I am speaking to you as a black woman who has lived all of this. I understand the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion,” Nelson said. “E pluribus unum, out of many, one — that is the only way forward to safeguarding and ensuring the longevity of this great republic.”
For more information about the lectures, visit the OU Events Calendar.
