Alumni gather for reunions this weekend at DePauw University, my alma mater, a phrase that means “soul mother.” I remember looking from Bishop Roberts Hall (“BR”) across the Dells and feeling like I had found my home. During first year, we made quite a few 1/9

debate tournaments. A frequent opponent was DePauw’s arch rival, Wabash College, a males-only school. The “oldest rivalry west of the Allegheny Mountains” is best known for The Monon Bell game. The rivalry plays out in other competitions. Debate was no exception. 2/9

We won each encounter with Wabash that year (and later years, too), because of a blind spot. At Wabash, each class had “man-to-man” talks, as several Wabash alums (friends of mine) told me.
Their blind spot: acculturated in an environment where women, > half of our species, 3/9

are either on a pedestal (mother, sister, virginal wife) or servants, but never equals. That blind spot can play out in embarrassing ways. For example, in a lecture to other judges, a Wabash alum said, “Now you girls...” He was oblivious. 4/9

“Equality” can be difficult. When I was DPU’s SBP, fewer than 30 students were Black. Diversity was by geography (i.e., affluent suburbs). Now DePauw students are fr everywhere & of every color. We celebrate LGBTQA+ students. Pres White is fantastic. 5/9

That brings me to a newsletter I received from IN’s A.G. titled: “Attorney General Todd Rokita scrutinizes DEI policies at Butler and DePauw universities.” Rokita is a Wabash alum. To be fair, a club of Wabash alums to “stop Rokita” is several years old. The newsletter 6/9

reports that Rokita “has sent letters to Butler and DePauw universities concerning their respective diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices, which may violate federal and state civil rights laws and the terms of the universities’ nonprofit statuses.” 7/9

We need to call this out as bullshit. You do not discriminate against half of our species, then try to wipe out NFP status of colleges. Rokita doesn’t care about anything but power. We need to remove power from his grasp. Pardon my language as I address Rokita. Yo! 8/9

You will not deny constitutional protections to victims of your hate. Get your jollies by making fun of LGBTQA+ ppl? Ever hear the term “latent”? More people are on our side & we love, protect & support ea other. Fuck you, Todd. You do NOT fuck w/DePauw. 9/9