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Ron Unz

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Ron Unz
Born
Ron Keeva Unz

(1961-09-20) September 20, 1961 (age 63)
North Hollywood, California, U.S.
Alma materHarvard University
University of Cambridge
Occupation(s)Businessman, political activist, writer
Political partyRepublican

Ron Keeva Unz (born September 20, 1961) is a former businessman, best known for an unsuccessful race in 1994 for the governorship of California, and for sponsoring propositions promoting structured English immersion education. He was publisher of The American Conservative from March 2007 to August 2013.

Education

Unz attended Harvard University, earning a bachelor of science in physics and ancient history.[1] He then went to the University of Cambridge and eventually to Stanford University to begin doctoral work in theoretical physics, which he never completed. He was later awarded a master's degree by Stanford.[2][3]

Career

Unz worked in the banking industry writing software for mortgage securities during his studies, and founded a company called Wall Street Analytics in Palo Alto, CA. In 2006 his company was acquired by the ratings firm Moody's.[4]

Politics

Unz made an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for Governor of California in 1994. He received 707,431 votes (34.3 percent) in the primary race against the incumbent Pete Wilson, who won the primary with 1,266,832 votes (61.4 percent).[5]

Newspapers referred to Unz's candidacy as a Revenge of the Nerds and often quoted his claim of a 214 IQ.[6][7][8][9]

In 1994, Unz opposed California Proposition 187 to deny social services to illegal immigrants, passed by 58.8% of the voters but later overturned by a federal court.[10] Unz said at the time that "Silicon Valley ... is absolutely dependent upon immigrant professionals to maintain its technological edge. If they left or their future inflow were cut off, America's computer industry would probably go with them."[11]

In 1998, he sponsored California Proposition 227, which aimed to change the state's bilingual education to an opt-in structured English language educational system and which was approved by the voters[12] despite opposition from language education researchers.[13] Proposition 227 did not seek to end bilingual education, as special exemptions were made for students to remain in an English immersion class if a parent so desires. However, there were limits (such as age restrictions) for the exemptions, and there were provisions to discipline teachers that refused to teach solely or predominantly in English.[14]

The book English for the Children: Mandated by the People, Skewed by Politicians and Special Interests by Johanna Haver (Rowman & Littlefield Education, 2013) recounts the controversies and political action resulting from Unz's California and subsequent ballot initiatives: Arizona Proposition 203, Colorado Amendment 31, and Massachusetts Question 2.

In 2016, Unz started "Free Harvard, Fair Harvard" campaign, centered on the Harvard Board of Overseers. Its slate of candidates is Unz, Lee Cheng, Stuart Taylor, Jr., Stephen Hsu, and Ralph Nader. The campaign seeks for tuition fees at Harvard to be abolished and for greater transparency in the admissions process.[15][16]

Other activities

In January 2012, Unz launched the website UNZ.org, an archive of free periodicals, books, and videos.

In November 2013, Unz launched the website The Unz Review, a blogging platform.

References

  1. ^ Bruni, Frank (June 14, 1998). "The California Entrepreneur who Beat Bilingual Teaching". The New York Times.
  2. ^ "Summary Biography of Ron Unz".
  3. ^ "English for the Children".
  4. ^ "Moody's Corporation Acquires Wall Street Analytics". MWSA News. Moody’s Corporation. December 18, 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-10-28. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  5. ^ "1994 Statement of Vote". California Secretary of State.
  6. ^ Phil Reeves, "'Nerds' seek revenge in Californian poll: Apathy marks the run up to the contest for governor", The Independent (Los Angeles), May 17, 1994
  7. ^ Amy Wallace, Unlikely Path Led to Wilson Foe's Far-Right Challenge - Politics: A computer 'genius' with a passion for Greek philosophy, Ron Unz has set out to jolt the GOP. May 8, 1994 Los Angeles Times
  8. ^ Margot Hornblower, "The Man Behind Prop. 227", By Frank Bruni, Time.com, June 8, 1998
  9. ^ The California Entrepreneur who Beat Bilingual Teaching, New York Times June 14, 1998.
  10. ^ "English for the Children". Onenation.org.
  11. ^ Ron K. Unz, "Immigration or the Welfare State: Which Is Our Real Enemy?" Policy Review, Fall 1994, p. 34.
  12. ^ Arguments in favor of 1998 California Ballot Proposition 227
  13. ^ "CMMR: Notes by Steve Krashen on the Unz Attack".
  14. ^ Crawford, James (2000). At War with Diversity. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters. ISBN 1-85359-505-5.
  15. ^ Saul, Stephanie (14 January 2016). "How Some Would Level the Playing Field: Free Harvard Degrees". New York Times.
  16. ^ Adamczyk, Alicia (15 January 2016). "Group Says Harvard Tuition Should Be Free for All Students". Time.
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