Staff Reports
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been hit with a civil rights complaint for its discriminatory program that only allows “women of color” to participate, according to a complaint filed with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
MIT hit with civil rights complaint over race and sex discrimination https://t.co/cihNi65As6
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 21, 2024
The program in question, called Creative Regal Women of Knowledge, is being challenged for not only excluding certain groups of students based on their race and gender but also allowing biological men who identify as women to be eligible. This policy has sparked outrage from the Equal Protection Project, which filed the complaint.
The founder of the Equal Protection Project, William A. Jacobson, believes that such discriminatory practices are not the answer to past discrimination. The exclusionary nature of the program only serves to perpetuate racism and sexism, he asserts.
The program’s eligibility requirements state that it is exclusively for “women of color” and it further specifies that this includes individuals of black, indigenous, Hispanic or “Latinx,” Asian, Pacific Islander, and other “minoritized ethnicities.” This racial categorization has drawn criticism because it sends a message to students that opportunities are dependent on race, which is damaging to the campus community as a whole, according to the complaint.
The program also offers financial incentives for participants and aims to enhance and strengthen the community among “women of color.” However, the complaint argues that the program’s purposes and requirements for participation, as well as its application process, clearly indicate that not all students are welcome to participate.
The Equal Protection Project claims that the program’s practices violate Title VI and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act.
MIT has declined to comment on the matter, citing it as a legal issue. However, the complaint cites guidance from the Office of Civil Rights, which emphasizes the importance of ensuring that opportunities are open to all students.
The civil rights complaint against MIT highlights the need for equal and non-discriminatory treatment of all students, regardless of their race or gender. This story serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for fairness and equality in academic institutions.
