The University of Alabama (UA) is ending the run of two race- and gender-focused publications to comply with a United States Department of Justice memo giving guidance on how to avoid diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
The University of Alabama is ending the publication of Alice Magazine and Nineteen Fifty-Six magazines. Both publications risk putting the university at odds with federal funds for diversity, equity and inclusion style practices that appear to influence content and hiring practices; the editor of Alice noted earlier this year the magazine is for women and ‘other marginalized peoples,’ and Nineteen Fifty-Six has been described as ‘a student-run magazine focused on Black culture, Black excellence, and Black student experiences at The University of Alabama.’
It seems likely that UA does not want the exposure or appearance of resisting recent DEI bans that other colleges and universities in the state – including private ones – haveexperienced, nor do they want the fallout which occurred because of such resistance.
Yet this development doesn’t automatically mean the suppression of free speech. As The Hill reported, Steven Hood, UA’s vice president of student life, met with the staff of both publications to inform them of the need to comply with the federal guidelines, while proposing an alternative:
Hood invited the magazines’ editors to help create a new publication catering to all student identities.
Neither magazine had barred students from participation based on race or gender identity, and both hired staff who were not part of their target audience, according to the Crimson White.
"'The University remains committed to supporting every member of our community and advancing our goals to welcome, serve, and help all succeed,'" another UA spokesperson said.
I am not seeing a problem here. But the editor-in-chief of Nineteen Fifty-Six is not happy, taking to social media to express her displeasure.
‘As Editor-In-Chief, I aim to amplify the voices of students of color on campus and serve as an outlet to inform, uplift and strengthen our community. In the current state of our country, it is increasingly important for students to be engaged and educated about what is going on around them and who better to inform them than their own peers.’
So, how is producing a publication that includes all perspectives and viewpoints preventing this from continuing? No one seems to want to answer that question.
I cut my teeth in journalism in high school through a Chicago news publication called New Expression. We researched, wrote and edited this citywide paper. Because it was a non-profit unconnected to any one school or organization, it brought together students of all races, creeds, religions, backgrounds and orientations to produce something representing all voices. The paper was successful for 32 years – that’s saying something. It not only helped young people like me find their voices, but it allowed the magnification of a variety of voices, not just a particular niche.
College affords even more independence than high school, so I am befuddled over the weeping and gnashing of teeth occurring over these publications. This is the perfect opportunity to make way for more voices and greater press freedom, not less.
But that’s not the point, is it? They don’t want to amplify more voices, they only want their voices. So a problem has been created where none should exist.
Yet the rants continue, with The Auburn Plainsman flat out calling UA’s plans “censorship.”
The two magazines, Nineteen Fifty-Six and [alice] were censored due to Bondi’s statements on ‘proxy organizations’ that focus on specific groups on The University of Alabama’s campus. Bondi claims that these organizations aren't ‘inclusive’ and discriminate against other groups.
How exactly is censorship at play here? If the new publication features all races and their stories, and focuses on women’s and men’s health and wellness, it is not restricting anyone’s voice – it is opening the conversation to other voices and viewpoints.
While campuses are experiments in adult freedom, they are still not the public square. Students are still bound by a codes of conduct, local, government, and state policies. Students and parents gladly sign these papers when they hand over the parent’s check or student-loan paperwork; so, trying to cry censorship, discrimination, and speech violations is a stretch.
I could understand the outrage if the publications were deeply embedded in the history of UA. But one of the publications is 10 years old, the other five. The fact that these writers and editors can still contribute their voices in a new publication doesn’t seem to matter to them: they want to be special and exclusive.
According to AL.com, UA alumni may be willing to foot the bill to keep these publications alive.
One day after UA told student journalists that two magazines focused on women and Black culture would lose university funding and be suspended, an alumni group said it may be able to help.
‘In a moment like right now, I think our goal is to support students however we can,’ said Victor Luckerson, president and co-founder of Masthead. The nonprofit offers mentorship and support to journalism and communications graduates.
Luckerson said each magazine costs about $7,500 to print 1,000 copies.
Should this occur, the charges of censorship and discrimination would be challenged, proving that the only determining voices are the readers, and that the only color which matters is green.
If the issue is UA preserving its federal funding and opening up the discourse to more viewpoints, then private funding would be the logical answer. Then Alice and Nineteen Fifty-Six would have to survive in a new model where they would be required to compete in the arena of ideas that should exist on all college campuses.
We will see what transpires.
Jennifer Oliver O'Connell, As the Girl Turns, is an investigative journalist, author, opinion analyst, and contributor to 1819 News, Redstate, and other publications. Jennifer writes on Politics and Pop Culture, with occasional detours into Reinvention, Yoga, and Food. You can read more about Jennifer's world at her As the Girl Turns website. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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