Dr. Rick Addante, a former psychology professor with extensive experience in academia, has raised significant concerns about the rhetoric being employed by university officials regarding racism and white supremacy. At a recent event held by the American Psychological Association, Dr. Addante confronted the rhetoric of Dr. Thomas Parham, the president of California State University, Dominguez Hills. Dr. Parham’s comments have sparked controversy and concern about the state of ideological training in American universities.
Dr. Parham suggested that racism and white supremacy have deeply influenced individual beliefs and behaviors, stating, “Everybody is carrying residuals,” signaling that everyone, regardless of their background, is affected by these ideas. He argued for a form of psychological disruption aimed at making individuals uncomfortable with their beliefs in order to foster change. “If you can’t make people uncomfortable with where they are, there’s no motivation to change,” he declared.
Dr. Addante strongly disagrees with this perspective, labeling it as “pseudoscience garbage.” He believes that terms like “residual white supremacy” and “white fragility” lack any scientific validity. In his view, these constructs are being used not only to shape minds within academia but also to influence future military leaders through programs like ROTC.
The implications of Dr. Parham’s statements extend beyond the classroom. Dr. Addante pointed out that the funding received by CSUDH from federal military sources raises serious questions about what ideological training is being imparted to future military officers. He argues that instilling beliefs that negatively frame the current federal administration, as Dr. Parham did, can undermine the principles of service and leadership that the military embodies.
Dr. Parham’s comments about the previous administration have stirred contentious debate. He commented on the voting patterns of women and minorities, suggesting they had made poor choices, stating, “Everybody knew this current federal administration was not liking black folk, was not liking Latino folk, and was not down with immigrants.” He further reiterated the idea that these groups must confront the concept of white supremacy, even linking it to the responsibilities of leadership and governance.
Dr. Addante finds such characterizations dangerous. His concern is that these ideas serve as a weapon, potentially alienating those who should be united in a common purpose. “These are all nonsensical things that are being used as a cudgel to weaponize racism in this country,” he posited, highlighting a broader pattern of ideological indoctrination that may be seeping into the military and other institutions.
Dr. Addante is calling for accountability within academia, emphasizing the need to maintain rigorous scientific standards and avoid relying on vague and unproven claims. He argues that the influence of flawed psychological constructs can undermine the unity and effectiveness of the very institutions designed to protect national values and promote justice.
This ongoing debate encapsulates a critical moment in American academic and sociopolitical discourse. As Dr. Addante notes, the fact that such ideologies are intertwined with funding, especially when it pertains to the military, raises serious ethical questions about education and the preparation of future leaders. “Universities need to be kept in check,” he insisted, as institutions continue to grapple with these pressing issues.
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