University of Wisconsin Students to Undergo Mandatory ‘Cultural Competency Training’

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has announced that it will require about 1,000 incoming students to participate in “cultural competency training” this fall, at a cost ranging between $150,000 and $200,000, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

The training will address “topics such as identity, culture and micro-aggressions,” the newspaper reported.

The State Journal defines the term “microsaggressions” as “seemingly minor or unintentional slights that contribute to a hostile atmosphere for people of color.”

Steve Gunn (rhetorically?) asks:

Is it creating an environment where the slightest statement or action could provoke a finger-pointing witch hunt for students who are accused of insensitivity?
Is it encouraging minority students to become hyper-sensitive to the point where people of different skin colors are afraid to associate openly and freely, without having their speech constantly monitored for words that might upset someone?

-RW