Forcing students to take diversity course amounts to “ideological brainwashing”
29 September 2021
SUGGESTED

Economic Theory

Press Release
30 September 2021

Uncategorized
20 January 2026
Commenting on the University of Kent’s decision to require all students to complete a four-hour diversity course in ‘white privilege’, microaggressions and use of pronouns, Marc Glendening, Head of Cultural Affairs at free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, said:
“Forcing students to complete a ‘diversity’ course amounts to the type of ideological brainwashing reminiscent of a totalitarian regime.
“Included will be a ‘white privilege quiz’ in which students will be asked to select the alleged benefits white people in Britain enjoy. Those who fail to tick the right number will be obliged to do the quiz again until they get it right.
“This is based upon the fallacious doctrine of ‘critical race theory’, a racist doctrine that attributes to all people who have white pigmentation of skin certain collective attributes and alleged ‘privileges’.
“Given this brainwashing exercise is an insult to the intelligence of those asked to participate, it wouldn’t be surprising if a boycott ensued.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Contact: Emily Carver, Head of Media, 07715942731
IEA spokespeople are available for interview or further comment.
“Forcing students to complete a ‘diversity’ course amounts to the type of ideological brainwashing reminiscent of a totalitarian regime.
“Included will be a ‘white privilege quiz’ in which students will be asked to select the alleged benefits white people in Britain enjoy. Those who fail to tick the right number will be obliged to do the quiz again until they get it right.
“This is based upon the fallacious doctrine of ‘critical race theory’, a racist doctrine that attributes to all people who have white pigmentation of skin certain collective attributes and alleged ‘privileges’.
“Given this brainwashing exercise is an insult to the intelligence of those asked to participate, it wouldn’t be surprising if a boycott ensued.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Contact: Emily Carver, Head of Media, 07715942731
IEA spokespeople are available for interview or further comment.



