Ilya Shapiro Hasn’t Paid Attention to Developing Cultural Expectations

Ilya Shapiro couldn’t take it anymore.

A highly-acclaimed higher education hire at Georgetown University was gobsmacked by the new cultural dynamic when it comes to public speech and opinion. He was caught off guard, hurt and upset with being punished with a suspension before he began his new post. Yet he kept his job, no guarantee these days for communication deemed ugly, making someone too much of a risk for an employer, public relations-wise, to retain.

Georgetown leadership however, was willing to move forward with Shapiro, yet Shapiro felt betrayed and then unreasonably restricted to do the job for which he was hired, so he made the bold decision to walk away from his position. Shapiro certainly has advocates for him for what happened and his decision to reject Georgetown, yet it remains to be seen whether Shapiro is helping his future.

Some headlines:

Ilya Shapiro resigns from Georgetown following reinstatement after 122-day investigation of tweets (Fire)

A Conservative Quits Georgetown’s Law School Amid Free Speech Fight (New York Times)

The Cato Institute fails to stand up to cancel culture (The Spectator World)

Georgetown University's Disgrace is Ilya Shapiro's Freedom (Newsweek, opinion)

Ilya Shapiro Resigns From Georgetown Law Following HR, IDEAA Investigation (The Hoya)

Shapiro, many critics would say, tweeted ugly and ill-advised communication about the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court Justice when he felt there was a more logical choice.

“Objectively best pick for Biden is Sri Srinivasan, who is solid prog & v smart. Even has identity politics benefit of being first Asian (Indian) American,” Shapiro tweeted on Jan. 27. “But alas doesn’t fit into the latest intersectionality hierarchy so we’ll get lesser black woman. Thank heaven for small favors?”

“Because Biden said he’s only consider black women for SCOTUS, his nominee will always have an asterisk attached,” Shapiro also wrote. “Fitting that the Court takes up affirmative action next term.”

Shapiro saw it as professional opinion. He didn’t see it for how it could be interpreted when he wrote “lesser black woman,” and about Biden, “his nominee will always have an asterisk attached.”

In the past, such a statement might not have earned an academic a suspension yet that doesn’t mean the communication wouldn’t have been hurtful and arguably, harmful. It would have been. The fiery debate on college campuses (and in the media) about what is acceptable speech continues. What is protected and what isn’t might not still be entirely clear but what has become evident is that there is a new reality and that means tighter controls of what will be tolerated and supported and what will draw enemy fire and earn rapid and harsh punishments.

Shapiro accepted his suspension yet when he was reinstated, problems still existed on campus, as reportedly not everyone wanted him at the school.

“I would have to be constantly walking on eggshells,” he said.

His resignation letter revealed confusion, anger from disillusionment and pain. That’s understandable. Did Georgetown University leadership go too far to appease students, groups who were critical of Shapiro’s comments, and maybe the media?

It’s a point that can be debated, just as it can that Shapiro continues to miss that one, he put his employer in the crosshairs of an unwanted situation. He also contributed to his misery as speech is expected to be more careful, precise, respectful and less open to interpretation.

Shapiro can claim what his words meant and what they didn’t mean. He didn’t communicate in a manner that left no doubt and didn’t leave people shocked and offended. Georgetown had to make a decision to send him to a timeout or figuratively speaking, the penalty box, or fire him. It chose the former. These days, most people are immediately fired for such communication. Shapiro survived.

Now, he has chosen, and it’s the best move for him personally considering how he judges the Georgetown administration, to end the relationship and leave for new opportunity.

Shapiro was traumatized to the point that he says he will not return to higher education, “Academia has become an intolerant place for anyone, not just conservatives but anyone who seeks the truth.” He sees a problem where, “bureaucrats enforce an orthodoxy that stifles intellectual diversity.”

He expressed dissatisfaction for Georgetown’s speech code which focuses less on intention and more on reaction. Shapiro is an educated person, he knows impact always trumps intention in communication and behavior. He is deeply pained. Understandable. Yet Shapiro, unfortunately for him, doesn’t seem to feel regret for how his words were experienced by others. He’s too intelligent to know that matters. Human beings are emotionally hard wired.

Fighting that reality does him little good.

Shapiro’s attack letter on Georgetown will be attached to his name and reputation and because of how he reacted and what he hasn’t done, what will also be (negatively remembered) will be what tweeted about President Biden and Ms. Brown Jackson.

In time, that anger Shapiro feels burning out of control in him might continue to grow from resentment to bitterness or he could learn that communication errors happen and when they do, he, like anyone, can choose to seek understanding from people for the upset created, whether intentional or unintentional, and show sincere depth of compassion and humanity, and likely receive forgiveness.