Amy Wax, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, appeared on Tucker Carlson Today on Fox News calling out immigrants, and later singling Brahmin women from India.
Wax began by calling out immigrants who are critical of the U.S., stating that non-western groups feel “resentment, shame and envy” against Western people for their achievements. Wax then narrowed in on Brahmin women from India, stating that although they enjoy success in the U.S., they continue to “dump on America” despite coming from what she called a “sh**hole country,” according to American Kahani.
Brahmins are members of the highest caste in Hinduism and comprise around 5 percent of India’s population. Of their six proper activities, teaching is ranked the highest, according to ThoughtCo. Wax commented on the status of Brahmin women, stating that they are “taught that they are better than everybody else because they are Brahmin elites.”
In the interview, Wax also said that Indian immigrants have a culture of shame and are envious of their position as the “Third World” against “First World” success.
“They come here and they see that we have this wonderful developed scientific and medical establishment, which they haven’t managed to create. They realize that, you know, we’ve outgunned and outclassed them in practically every way,” Wax said. “And what do they feel? Well, they’re very proud people. They’re a shame culture and they feel anger, they feel envy, they feel shame. I think the role of envy and shame in the way that the Third World regards the First World is underestimated.
Wax also made false statements about Black Pennsylvania law students. Wax stated that she had never seen a Black student graduate at the top quarter of their class, according to American Kahani. However, this comment was refuted by Pennsylvania Law school Dean Ted Ruger.
“Black students have graduated in the top of the class at Penn Law,” Ruger said. “And contrary to any suggestion otherwise, Black students at Penn Law are extremely successful, both inside and outside the classroom, in the job market and in their careers.”
Wax’s comments have drawn criticism from others working in the university. On Twitter, Aseem Shukla, a professor at Pennsylvania Medicine wrote: “Some of us Indian American docs @PennMedicine do our part to make America the great healthcare system you describe. So, yeah, we have the right to criticize it too.”
The university has declined to comment on Wax’s remarks. The law school stated that her “views do not reflect our values or practices, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The university has previously condemned Wax’s statements but has declined to fire her due to academic freedom. In 2018, Wax was removed from teaching mandatory courses. Wax has also previously commented that the U.S. would be better off with fewer Asian immigrants due to their support in advancing the positions of the Democratic party.
