John K. Wilson
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John K. Wilson
@johnkwilson.bsky.social
46 followers 41 following 18 posts
Writer on politics and higher education
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My new column for @insidehighered.com criticizes @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social for wrongly suspending an instructor for alleged political advocacy. www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
In Defense of Berkeley Instructor Peyrin Kao
UC Berkeley administrators have violated Kao’s academic freedom and the First Amendment in their shameful punishment of him for his free speech.
www.insidehighered.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
My latest column for @insidehighered.com critiques Northwestern's terrible deal with the Trump regime. www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Northwestern’s Complicity With the Trump Regime
We need shadow universities to preserve academic values and academic freedom at a time when they are under attack by government officials and campus administrators.
www.insidehighered.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:22 PM
My latest @insidehighered.com column looks at how @splc.org, @thefireorg.bsky.social, @aaup.org and student journalists fought for a free press at Indiana University www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Partial Victory for Freedom of the Press at Indiana U
While we need to celebrate the win, we also need to recognize how incomplete and temporary it was.
www.insidehighered.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:40 AM
My interview about the Scopes trial with @llassabe.bsky.social for her excellent American Campus podcast is now available:
americancampuspodcast.buzzsprout.com/2396665/epis...
Scopes and the creationists with John K. Wilson - American Campus Podcast
From a student of Saul Bellow and Barack Obama.References and suggested readings:John K Wilson. August 2025. “100 Years Ago, the Scopes Monkey Trial Discovered Academic Freedom.” Chronicle of Higher E...
americancampuspodcast.buzzsprout.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:45 PM
My column today for @insidehighered.com looks back at my first book, The Myth of Political Correctness, which was published 30 years ago today. www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
“The Myth of Political Correctness,” 30 Years Later
Looking back, I think my first book’s claims have been proven largely correct over the past three decades.
www.insidehighered.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
My column today for @insidehighered.com about the Compact: www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
The Compact to Destroy Academic Freedom
The fight against Trump’s totalitarian compact isn’t just a fight for the autonomy and freedom and preservation of American universities.
www.insidehighered.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:55 PM
My @insidehighered.com column today looks at Banned Books Week (go to www.chicagobannedbooks.org to see Chicago-area events this week).
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Banned Books Week in the Time of Repression
We need to build an alliance that crosses all boundaries and realize that unless we all stand together to defend everyone against censorship, we will all be vulnerable.
www.insidehighered.com
October 6, 2025 at 1:16 PM
My essay on Ohio State's ban on land acknowledgements appeared today in the Chronicle of Higher Education www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The Absurd War on Land Acknowledgements
You don’t have to like them, but prohibiting them is a violation of academic freedom.
www.chronicle.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:13 AM
The Constitution Day event on academic freedom in partnership with @projectcensored.bsky.social that I moderated featuring @tomginsburg.bsky.social and @sarahemclaugh.bsky.social is now available online.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ityg...
Academic Freedom Under Fire: Constitution Day 2025 Panel on Higher Education & Free Speech
YouTube video by ProjectCensored
www.youtube.com
September 20, 2025 at 8:42 PM
My new column for @insidehighered.com on the legal victory for @harvard.edu
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
The Victory for Harvard Is a Victory for Democracy
A settlement by Harvard now would be not only cowardly but crazy.
www.insidehighered.com
September 5, 2025 at 12:46 PM
My latest column for @insidehighered.com examines free expression at Northwestern University and @medillschool.bsky.social, 10 years after Alice Dreger's resignation.

www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Censorship at Northwestern Worse After Dreger’s Resignation
Looking back at the Dreger resignation a decade ago, it’s hard to feel optimistic, because censorship on campus is even worse today.
www.insidehighered.com
August 25, 2025 at 1:47 PM
My new column at Inside Higher Ed criticizes Georgetown University for suspending professor Jonathan Brown.
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
In Defense of Jonathan Brown
Georgetown suspended a professor for a statement milder than one made by the president of the United States on social media. It should immediately end the practice of arbitrary suspensions without due...
www.insidehighered.com
August 8, 2025 at 12:51 PM
My latest column for @insidehighered.com on the capitulations by Brown and Columbia
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
Why Universities Must Not Capitulate to the Trump Regime
Colleges that settle with the Trump administration have no guarantee of safety from further retaliation.
www.insidehighered.com
August 1, 2025 at 11:02 PM
The first essay of my new column for @insidehighered.com, called “Debatable Ideas,” features a critique of the Manhattan Statement.
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
The Dangers of the Manhattan Statement
In his inaugural column, John K. Wilson argues that a conservative groups ‘new contract’ for higher ed risks greater government intrusion into the sector.
www.insidehighered.com
July 22, 2025 at 12:46 PM
My essay today for the @chronicle.com on the centennial of the Scopes trial and what it means today: www.chronicle.com/article/100-...
Opinion | 100 Years Ago, the Scopes Monkey Trial Discovered Academic Freedom
But today, the right to teach the truth remains under threat.
www.chronicle.com
July 11, 2025 at 2:54 AM
My article today for @newlinesmag.bsky.social on the war on international students: newlinesmag.com/argument/wha...
What Trump’s War on Universities Means for International Students and Scholars
The administration’s attack on Harvard is part of an assault unprecedented in the history of American higher education
newlinesmag.com
June 9, 2025 at 1:48 PM
My op-ed for @insidehighered.com today about the Trump administration's letter to Harvard demanding repression:
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
Demands of Harvard Are Blueprint for Repression (opinion)
Harvard is rightly fighting back against the Trump administration’s demands, which pose a threat to every college in America, John K. Wilson writes.
www.insidehighered.com
April 24, 2025 at 12:15 PM
My defense of @thefireorg.bsky.social against its AAUP critics: insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
Coming soon, my defense of the AAUP against the attacks by FIRE and
@glukianoff.bsky.social
And also read my new essay in HxA's magazine inquisitive: inquisitivemag.org/articles/bac...
In defense of FIRE (opinion)
John K. Wilson argues that a recent defense of the AAUP goes too far in denouncing the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
insidehighered.com
November 21, 2024 at 11:06 PM