Conservative Portland State professor upset after faculty book club pick features broad criticism of Whites

It adds that, "Together, we'll reflect on what their stories can teach us and explore the recommendations students and faculty share for creating learning environments where more PSU students can thrive."

Another example listed by Gilley says, "'I can't share with these White professors,' she explains, and often feels 'like I'm a rubber duck in a pond of real [White] ducks.'"

Another quote featured in the book from chapter 6, "'FIGHTING IS ALL I KNOW': ALEJANDRA'S STORY" states, "I had to coexist with racists, white supremacists, and dangerously ignorant people."

The final example in the book shared in part by Gilley on X states, "Academic culture is a sort of distillation or intensified version of White, upper-middle-class culture in that expressing progressive points of view on topics such as inequality and racism is often more common and valued than working closely with people who have been marginalized." 

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for PSU relayed that, "The quarterly book club is an optional program for faculty and staff to connect. This term's selection, 'Culture Clash: New Majority Students at PSU,' was authored by a retired professor and a PSU alum. It is based on nearly 100 interviews detailing the student experience - specifically the strengths they bring, the challenges they navigate and the support systems that help them succeed." 

The spokesperson added, "The book offers an honest look at the emotional and practical realities of balancing academics with family, work and cultural expectations. Portland State University remains committed to academic freedom and providing a welcoming home for free speech and diverse perspectives."

Gilley told Fox News Digital in a statement, "There are many serious legal and ethical problems with even publishing such a book, much less using it for faculty training. Most obvious, it contains dozens of disparaging characterizations of White people that, if directed at any other racial or ethnic group, would be immediately recognized as unacceptable stereotyping and would likely violate both state and federal civil rights protections as well as university policies regarding hostile educational environments. 

"The pervasive pattern of negative generalizations about white students, faculty, and 'White culture' raises serious questions about whether Portland State University is fulfilling its obligations under state law to provide an equitable, non-discriminatory educational environment for all Oregon students." 

He added, "The book presents White people-students, faculty, and professionals-as a monolithic group characterized by arrogance, selfishness, insensitivity, lack of empathy, intellectual showboating, privilege-blindness, and active or passive racism. 

"If this book had characterized any other racial group-African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans-in similarly sweeping negative terms, would PSU have published it and encouraged faculty to incorporate it into their teaching? If not, what principle justifies different treatment based on the racial group being characterized?"

Fox News Digital attempted to reach Peterson del Mar and Vazquez for comment.