CRT Critic Carol Swain to Speak May 15
Imagine a world where civil discourse triumphs over the divisive rhetoric saturating our daily lives. It seems this reality is slipping away, but amidst the chaos, one visionary offers a solution to the schism pervading our culture: Dr. Carol Swain.
Dr. Swain embodies the American dream. Born into abject poverty in rural Southwest Virginia, she grew up in a one-room house with twelve siblings, surrounded by chaos and hopelessness. Despite dropping out of high school, marrying, and becoming a young parent, her destiny took a remarkable turn with the encouragement of a few key individuals.
Dr. Swain’s journey saw her earning five degrees, starting from community college. With a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.S.L. from Yale, she attained early tenure at Princeton and eventually a full professorship at Vanderbilt, excelling as both a political scientist and law professor. Today, she’s a sought-after cable news contributor, best-selling author, and national speaker, renowned for her expertise in critical race theory and higher education, cited three times by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Recently, Dr. Swain found herself at the heart of controversies, notably the plagiarism scandal involving Claudine Gay, Harvard’s former president. Her work confronts Critical Race Theory, questioning the elevation of individuals based on skin color rather than merit—a point poignantly highlighted by Gay’s academic misstep. This irony underscores Dr. Swain’s message, urging us to reevaluate our cultural shift towards equity over meritocracy.
Dr. Swain not only identifies societal problems but also presents solutions. Her latest book, “The Adversity of Diversity,” offers a compelling narrative on the deviation from meritocracy in modern America and proposes ways to restore balance, promoting opportunities for those in need while recognizing achievement through hard work.
Bacon’s Rebellion is pleased to sponsor Dr. Swain’s appearance May 15th at the Cultural Arts Center in Glen Allen, Virginia — the inaugural event in the Virginia Forum’s 2024 speaker series, which is geared to right-of-center audiences. It promises to be an enlightening evening.
