The article discusses the chaotic climate in higher education resulting from executive orders that threaten funding and undermine core values. The authors, Subini Annamma and David Stovall, emphasize that silence from universities is a form of complicity against marginalized groups. The overwhelming nature of recent political actions has led institutions to exhibit trauma responses, such as compliance and uncertainty. In this tumultuous environment, it is crucial for educators to remain committed to their work, support colleagues, and foster positive student relationships despite the challenges faced.
When universities stay silent or indicate their willingness to comply with executive orders that seek to dehumanize anyone who is not white, male and cisgender, they are sending a message.
...the past few months have been a period of chaos marked by rapid-fire executive orders, threats to college and university funding, and presidential edicts that undermine higher education's fundamental values.
...some of us may be experiencing a kind of trauma response, an instinctive response to a perceived threat. Most of us have heard about fight-or-flight modes, but it seems to be fawn and freeze responses that are playing out at many institutions across the country.
Despite what is happening around us, we have to continue to attend to our work-to do all of the things that keep the institution running, to be in relationship with our colleagues and to be in classroom spaces with our students.
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