How the Right’s War on Academic Freedom Hides a Darker Mission

One of the Republican Party’s most dangerous campaigns is their continued assault on academic freedom. Under the pretense of fighting antisemitism and dismantling “discriminatory” DEI policies, universities across the country are under threat of losing critical funding, and students are being targeted by immigration authorities. From Trump to state governors, attacks are coming from every level of government. In this episode, Stacey is joined by Wesleyan University President Michael Roth and Barnard College Professor Nara Milanich to discuss how our institutions of higher education are pivotal to shaping an informed, innovative, and engaged society, what’s at stake, and what academics and their allies can do to push back. Then, she hears from student journalist and Co-Editor-in-Chief of The Michigan Daily, Zhane Yamin, on how students are weathering this storm.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

Learn & Do More:

BE CURIOUS: Read student newspapers in your community or from your alma mater to stay connected to what is happening on the ground.SOLVE PROBLEMS: If you are part of a college’s community, whether you’re a student, faculty member, staff, or a nearby resident, coming together to raise your voice about your concerns can make a world of difference.DO GOOD: Student journalists need your support weathering these tumultuous times, and hearing from their readers helps tremendously. If you are enjoying their reporting, reach out and let them know!

Let's face it, sometimes the world feels broken. We can see what needs fixing, yet more and more, it feels like the problems are too big and the bad guys are winning. But the truth is, they’re not. They’re just hoping we stop fighting.

Welcome to Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, a new podcast from Crooked Media and Democratic changemaker Stacey Abrams. Stacey knows better than anyone that societal shifts happen when a group of ordinary people decide that a problem is solvable, and are willing to pitch in and work towards the solution.

Each week, Stacey will break down the biggest issues we face into digestible, actionable items, introduce us to the warriors for good already working towards solutions, strategize, and share tangible ways to get involved. Because we can't fix everything, everywhere, all at once; but we can each do something, somewhere, soon.

• No. of episodes: 39
• Latest episode: 2025-05-15
• Society & Culture

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