The Importance of Uncomfortable Conversations

'Uncensored' author and new college grad Zachary R. Wood explains why his generation is so scared of viewpoint diversity.

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Zachary R. Wood came to national attention when, as a undergraduate at ultra-liberal Williams College, the student group that he helped lead was pressured to cancel its invitation to Suzanne Venker, a conservative author and critic of feminism.

Activists accused him of "causing actual mental, social, psychological, and physical harm" to his fellow students, and "paying for...the continued dispersal of violent ideologies that kill our black and brown (trans) femme sisters." After he invited the former National Review writer John Derbyshire to speak, the university president unilaterally shut the event down.

The self-described "liberal Democrat" and Hillary Clinton supporter says his commitment to open dialogue comes from dealing with his mother's mental illness, his frequent moves as a child, and being a black scholarship student at mostly white, wealthy schools. "I was coming from a disadvantaged community and going to a school in a more affluent community and that meant I had to be open and making friends with peers from very different backgrounds." He notes that he and his new schoolmates were quick to project both negative and positive stereotypes on one another. "Part of what that experience challenged me to do was to assess those stereotypes and resist the inclination to make them."

In Uncensored: My Life and Uncomfortable Conversations at the Intersection of Black and White America, Wood writes about the urgent need for civil discourse and open debate, especially on college campuses. The recent graduate talked with Reason about how administrators are as much or more to blame as student activists for the repressive atmosphere at universities, and why he looks forward to exploring issues of class mobility and how school choice can benefit low-income minorities in his work as a journalist.

Edited by Ian Keyser. Cameras by Jim Epstein and Kevin Alexander.

'Machinery' by Kai Engel is licensed under CC BY NC 4.0

Photo Credits:

Russ R. Scott/newzulu/Newscom

Jeremy Hogan/Polaris/Newscom

Wu Xiaoling Xinhua News Agency/Newscom

[beerhoven]

He's still learning, give him some time. Even with the willingness to challenge one's own position, it takes time to overcome personal bias and societal conditioning. I hope this young man, and all people, will continue to seek truth and challenge themselves and each other. Because when diplomacy ends, violence begins.

[benjaminperez]

When you find yourself in agreement with someone, just move on, for there’s little to learn, especially about yourself; conversely, when you find yourself in disagreement with someone, move in, all in, for there’s potentially a great deal to learn, especially about yourself. Why? The one you disagree with is very likely ½ right, because you are very likely ½ wrong; taking the time to figure out how—and especially why—the one you disagree with is indeed ½ half right will reveal to you how—and especially why—you’re indeed ½ wrong. Although it takes time to do this, it’s not time wasted (ask a lot of questions, and listen, really listen, to the answers); in the end, you won’t likely find that you’ve changed your mind (almost no one ever changes one’s mind), but you will likely find that you’ve opened it.

[zoweegeewhiz]

What a delightful young man, and he is just getting started.

[ThisTimeofDarkness]

I would like to see a conversational debate between this intelligent young man and Thomas Sowell.

[perfectpitchtodd]

It is nice to finally see/hear a liberal Democrat that is willing to engage in a civilized conversation.

[batmbe]

Loved the interview. What a great example of people talking to others they may not agree with (and them talking to others they may not agree with) in a civilized manner for the betterment of all. That’s American values 💯 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[homewall]

We want diversity except when it doesn't match our bias. Difference is good so long as you don't hold different ideas.

[bk]

That suit! The window pane pattern is awesome. What a good dresser.

[ilovecoffee]

The key phrase is ''perpetuation of dominant narratives''. One thing he and many other people seem to not realize is that, dominant narratives are not based on reasoning, therefore they cannot be broken by reasoning and facts. They are based on mindless conformity to the majority, that is the issue. People don't think for themselves, they just conform to whatever the majority believes.

[Brandoregularo]

Zachary is a Genius! A healthy mind can hear any opinion and be unharmed.

[friedstyles]

It's pretty fucking sad when some guy is praised on TV for...GASP!... listening to people he disagrees with!!! OMG, what an amazing human...

[mirzaahmed]

Just read his article in the NY Times, "Lessons from 2, 000 Hours on a Public Bus" a few days ago. Smart man.

[wtb]

"Do you feel blackness in America is more problematic now?" Well there's Gillespie summed up in a single completely valueless question.

[theredtomahawk]

This guy is just amazing. He will say that charles murry is wrong because: "Intelligence is complicated" but he will say "social assistance needs a balance". He has learn nothing. Now he deserves credit for welcoming opposing opinions but that is it.

[lucasley]

I would like to know the reasons he was a Hillary supporter

[snnyburnett]

Lives in progressive Jonestown, knows it's all wrong and wants to tell people but still drinks the Hillary democrat kool-aid anyway.
Doublethink intensifies.

[silveravnt]

Mr. Wood seems like a smart guy. I’d like to understand how he can support leftism

[deansapp]

Zach needs to listen to Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams

[GregoryTheGrster]

Can't we all just agree to disagree?

[temujin]

I agree that it's a problem but it's wrong to single out younger people. Who is more afraid of viewpoint diversity than the Fox News generation?