As a former graduate of Harvard Business School (HBS), class of 1998 with an MBA, I am grateful for my experience and concerned about the recent trajectory of this esteemed institution.
Harvard: A Noble Cathedral Captured by Anti-Semitic, Segregationist Woke Clergy?
Historically, Harvard has embodied the best of the American model: excellence, meritocracy, and academic freedom. However, what remains of this ideal when dissident ideologies are marginalized, when thought is uniform under the guise of ‘progress,’ and when anti-Semitism disguised as anti-Zionism is tolerated? Trump, in his characteristically blunt but not always incorrect manner, acted as the child pointing out that the emperor is naked. The sanctions—understand as financial restrictions, withdrawal of federal funds, or audits on admissions and now contract cancellations with the state—are not a whim but a warning: no intellectual bastion in America is above democratic rules that allow its existence.
Obscene Financial Abundance
Harvard laments the withdrawal of subsidies, yet it’s impossible to ignore that its endowment (fund patrimony) exceeds $53 billion. What other educational institution in the world boasts such a level of financial power while claiming to be a victim of public policies? This level of resource concentration, far from democratizing education, has contributed to the creation of a self-referential and bulletproof elite, independence is good, but to this degree of accumulation leads to pride.
Racial Segregation in Student Selection
Moreover, Harvard has been accused—with increasing legal grounds—of actively discriminating against certain ethnic minorities (especially Asians) while protecting others in the name of ‘social justice.’ This manipulation of admission criteria, far from correcting disparities, reproduces them under new forms of ideological favoritism. The facts speak for themselves and led to lawsuits. In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Harvard’s affirmative action policies, concluding that its admissions system discriminated against Asian-American students by assigning them lower scores in personal qualities despite their high academic achievements.
Following this ruling, Harvard reported a 4% decrease in the number of African-American students and a 2% increase in Hispanic students, while the proportion of Asian students remained unchanged. They did not correct the racial segregation they were imposing against certain ethnic groups to favor others.
Anti-Semitism
Another concerning aspect that has alarmed both the academic and diplomatic worlds is Harvard’s growing tolerance—sometimes tacit complicity—with expressions of anti-Semitism and open support for terrorist organizations like Hamas. Harvard, in April 2025, published a report by its Presidential Working Group on Anti-Semitism acknowledging the situation. There have been documented cases of verbal (and sometimes physical) harassment and violence against Jewish students on campus, along with official statements that are lukewarm or ambiguous from university authorities. Under the pretext of a supposed solidarity with ‘progressive’ causes, ancient hatred has been legitimized, disguised as a political stance.
In response to these concerns, Harvard adopted the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism and committed to implementing measures to protect Jewish students. However, they have been more noise than substance, and the problem persists.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the sanctions against Harvard? The Trump administration imposed financial restrictions, withdrew federal funds, and conducted audits on admissions. More recently, contract cancellations with the state have occurred.
- Why are people concerned about Harvard’s financial abundance? Despite its high tuition, Harvard’s endowment exceeds $53 billion. Critics argue this wealth should democratize education, not create an elitist, self-referential structure.
- What is Harvard accused of regarding racial segregation? Harvard has been accused of actively discriminating against certain ethnic minorities, particularly Asians, while favoring others under the guise of social justice.
- What is Harvard’s stance on anti-Semitism? Despite acknowledging the issue, Harvard has been criticized for tolerating anti-Semitism and supporting organizations like Hamas.
