Applicants may also have a background in ‘social justice’ and DEI
Applicants for a professor of music position at the University of New Mexico must have an interest in a “decolonized music education curriculum,” according to an open job listing.
Other potential interests include “social justice” or “community-engaged performance practices,” according to the visiting assistant job posting.
“Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and student success, and working with broadly diverse communities” is also sought.
The job requirements are tied to the university’s “2040 goals” for “diversity” on campus, according to a university statement sent to The College Fix.
“The college [of Fine Arts]along with the University, has a long-standing commitment to the values of diversity, equality and inclusion,” said a spokesperson for The College Fix via email.
The College of Fine Arts “fully supports the University’s 2040 goals to respect and celebrate the differences of all people and to value working and learning in a collaborative environment where diversity is valued with a shared sense of belonging.”
Among other things, these 2040 goals include “address[ing] historical and current inequities and inequities among URM and other minority faculty” and “double Latino Ph.D. [enrollment] by analyzing the demographic makeup of doctoral students by race and ethnicity, and doctoral attainment rates by race and ethnicity.”
The university did not directly respond to questions asked about examples of social justice and music and what a “decolonized music education curriculum” means.
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“The mission of the University of New Mexico College of Fine Arts is to positively impact the region and enable all underrepresented people in the state to pursue a high-quality fine arts education,” the college said.
“[T]The college itself offers a comprehensive curriculum and incorporates DEI’s values in music education, which provide a strong practical, theoretical and philosophical foundation for all its students,” said a spokesperson.
Education commentator criticizes ‘decolonisation’ in music education.
Heartland Institute fellow ST Karnick called it “the academic equivalent of tearing down statues of great leaders of the past” in an email to The correction.
“Programs that promote such doctrines do a disservice to students and their parents and undermine the foundations of the civilization on which these institutions depend,” Karnick said.
“Taxpayers should not be forced to support these highly destructive activities directly or indirectly,” Karnick said. “The federal government should require all academic institutions that accept student Pell Grant or federal student loan money, or any other support through state money or regulations, to ensure that, at a minimum, all programs on campus comply with the national Act for rights.”
Karnick said “institutions that want to undermine our freedom of speech, religion, assembly and firearms and other rights and privileges of United States citizens must go their own way without taxpayer support.”
“Scientists have a right to think and say whatever they want,” he said. However, they are not allowed to use other people’s money for this purpose.
The University of New Mexico isn’t the only school looking to incorporate DEI into the fine arts. For example, Ohio State University has an “anti-racist dance” instructor.
UC Berkeley also hires a “social justice theater.”
MORE ▼: Music education ‘remains inherently racist’, researchers say
IMAGES: Images by Monkey Business
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