The University of Wisconsin-Madison has said it won’t extend official recognition to the Knights of Columbus as a student group because it only allows Catholic men as members. The university says that recognition would violate a state law barring discrimination against students on the basis of religion. Critics say that’s a load of hogwash and in fact, this is exactly the kind of discrimination that the law is supposed to protect against. It’s also a clear violation of the First Amendment.
I wonder: Are Jewish students allowed to join the Muslim student group? Are whites allowed to join black student groups? Non-hispanics in Hispanic organizations? In other words, do we have a double standard that penalizes Catholics while leaving liberal groups protected? Considering this is UW-Madison, one of the most liberal colleges in the nation, and having seen what passes for tolerance and diversity and free speech on campus in the US, my guess would be Yes, we do.
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