Official policy at Duke University Medical School asserts that traits like “individualism,” “timeliness,” and “perfectionism” all contribute to “White supremacy culture,” a newly discovered internal document has revealed. The document’s recommendations, intended to create an “Anti-Racist Workforce” in the medical industry, also denounce “White” concepts like dress codes, capitalism, and speaking English, calling for them to be replaced with more equitable ideas in the workplace.
First reported by Fox News, Duke University’s stance on race relations was outlined in 2021 via a 42-page document entitled “Dismantling Racism and Advancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the School of Medicine.” The plan was created to rid the school of “White supremacy culture,” which it defines as “the idea (ideology) that White people and the ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and actions of white people are superior to People of Color and their ideas, thoughts, beliefs and actions.”
“In the workplace, white supremacy culture explicitly and implicitly privileges whiteness and discriminates against non-Western and non-white professionalism standards related to dress code, speech, work style, and timeliness,” the document reads. “Some identifiable characteristics of this culture include perfectionism, belief that there’s only one right way, power hoarding, individualism, sense of urgency and defensiveness.”
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The document also maintains that the United States is inherently rigged for the benefit of White people at the expense of other racial groups. The belief that Whites have an “unquestioned and unearned set of advantages, entitlements, benefits and choices…solely because they are White” serves as a core component of Critical Race Theory, which Duke University cites as fact.
“CRT scholars note that the social construction of race and racism is a regular component of American society; it is embedded in structures such as law, culture, and economics, which supports the interests of White people,” the school wrote.
The document also references the concept of “fragility,” a concept coined in racial activist Robin DiAngelo’s 2018 book White Fragility, which argues that White people cannot properly understand racism because of their implicit biases.
Dr. Mary E. Klotman, the dean of Duke University Medical School, praised the guidebook in a note that accompanied it at the time of its publication, saying it reflected the medical school’s goals of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
“Our plan for dismantling racism and advancing equity, diversity and inclusion was created with an intentional and appropriate need for flexibility,” she wrote. “As you read this plan, consider the actions you might take individually, with your teams, and in your local units to support our collective goals. Each of you will play an important role in advancing our mission to dismantle racism and promote equity, diversity and inclusion at Duke and beyond.”
“We are proud of our longstanding commitment to diversity and excellence and yet we acknowledge that there is much more work to do.”
The full document from Duke University Medical Center can be read below.
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
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