Opinion: The fight against antisemitism at Harvard shouldn’t come at the expense of DEI

The article addresses the complex issues of antisemitism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in higher education, particularly at Harvard University. It employs a straw man fallacy by suggesting opponents of DEI initiatives inherently link these programs with antisemitism, simplifying and misrepresenting the broader debate over the role and impact of such initiatives. The narrative heavily relies on an appeal to emotion, drawing on the author's personal history and the historical discrimination faced by Jewish and Black communities to argue against perceived opposition to DEI efforts. Biased language is evident in the portrayal of those challenging DEI initiatives as engaging in a "strategic takedown" of diversity efforts, framing them in a negative light without fully exploring their perspectives or concerns. This approach creates a narrative that positions the fight against antisemitism and the support for DEI initiatives as not only compatible but essential to combating broader societal injustices. While aiming to highlight the importance of DEI programs and counter arguments against them, the moderate use of logical fallacies and biased language may detract from a balanced discussion of the challenges and complexities surrounding these issues in academia.