I have a tendency to think that teaching about a Black Jesus should be ignored / even applauded by the administration, and that college students who are offended ought to be told to pound sand.
By the same token, I would be in favor of almost no protection for accusing colleagues of operating out of a "fascist playbook." That comment is unnecessary and shows a lack any sort of mark of serious engagement with ideas. I'm not sure I would punish to the extent that Pepperdine did, but I would certainly be tempted.
This article notes that she called coworkers fascists in at least one faculty meeting and in front of students. This is inappropriate. If you want to be pendantic, you can attempt to make a distinction between calling them fascists and accusing them of using a "fascist playbook", but it is a distinction without a difference. It is extreme, aggressive, pejorative, disparaging, belittling. It is not civil dialogue. To oppose the censoring of an art exhibit is her right, but to castigate and verbally abuse others with opposing views, particularly in front of students is not acceptable. She should be allowed to find employment where her antics will be tolerated or even applauded.
Now, about FIRE. I'm sure it makes no difference to you, but I have decided to stop following you. I cannot support your extreme stances and absolutism regarding free speech. I used to feel there is no such thing as too much speech or that speech should never be metered, but I live in a world now where every dog wants to howl; it is loud, unpleasant, disruptive, and adds nothing to the greater conversation. I am virtually drowning in misinformation and outright lies from people reveling in their own ignorance. We were told that "diversity is our strength" until we were mumbling it in our sleep - but it's not our strength; it is a tool that, if used properly, can make us better, stronger. However, diversity without a shared identity and a common goal or vision leads to division and chaos - weakness. In the same way free speech can be a strength or weakness. We need the gadfly, the contrarian, the one who will stand on principle in opposition to the majority. But ... (There must be a but.) There are situations where the delivery obfuscates the message, or where the message itself is drivel, or the forum is inappropriate for the message. (For example blustery ad hominem attacks, "birds aren't real" conspiracy theories, reading Ulysses to a classroom of third graders, respectively.) Free speech, as much as we need it, as valuable as it is to a free society, is not an end in and of itself. It is not a wonder elixir that will grant wisdom to the masses or their leaders. It is a tool (really a set of tools) that can be used to build or destroy. It must be used wisely. It must be used widely. But, like any tool,it has its limitations. In any case, goodbye. I wish FIRE success. I just can't listen any longer.
It would seem that FIRE needs to draw some thoughtful lines between speech that is deserving of protection and that which is not. This is a difficult project to be sure, but lately FIRE sometimes seems to be defending the indefensible.
C'mon FIRE, you can do better than hackery like this. Nothing to do with "black Jesus"; everything to do with a toxic radical who unjustly and repeatedly attacks her colleagues and superiors.
Heaven for I'd that students be made " uncomfortable" in college! 😆😂😊
I have a tendency to think that teaching about a Black Jesus should be ignored / even applauded by the administration, and that college students who are offended ought to be told to pound sand.
By the same token, I would be in favor of almost no protection for accusing colleagues of operating out of a "fascist playbook." That comment is unnecessary and shows a lack any sort of mark of serious engagement with ideas. I'm not sure I would punish to the extent that Pepperdine did, but I would certainly be tempted.
Fair.
This article notes that she called coworkers fascists in at least one faculty meeting and in front of students. This is inappropriate. If you want to be pendantic, you can attempt to make a distinction between calling them fascists and accusing them of using a "fascist playbook", but it is a distinction without a difference. It is extreme, aggressive, pejorative, disparaging, belittling. It is not civil dialogue. To oppose the censoring of an art exhibit is her right, but to castigate and verbally abuse others with opposing views, particularly in front of students is not acceptable. She should be allowed to find employment where her antics will be tolerated or even applauded.
Now, about FIRE. I'm sure it makes no difference to you, but I have decided to stop following you. I cannot support your extreme stances and absolutism regarding free speech. I used to feel there is no such thing as too much speech or that speech should never be metered, but I live in a world now where every dog wants to howl; it is loud, unpleasant, disruptive, and adds nothing to the greater conversation. I am virtually drowning in misinformation and outright lies from people reveling in their own ignorance. We were told that "diversity is our strength" until we were mumbling it in our sleep - but it's not our strength; it is a tool that, if used properly, can make us better, stronger. However, diversity without a shared identity and a common goal or vision leads to division and chaos - weakness. In the same way free speech can be a strength or weakness. We need the gadfly, the contrarian, the one who will stand on principle in opposition to the majority. But ... (There must be a but.) There are situations where the delivery obfuscates the message, or where the message itself is drivel, or the forum is inappropriate for the message. (For example blustery ad hominem attacks, "birds aren't real" conspiracy theories, reading Ulysses to a classroom of third graders, respectively.) Free speech, as much as we need it, as valuable as it is to a free society, is not an end in and of itself. It is not a wonder elixir that will grant wisdom to the masses or their leaders. It is a tool (really a set of tools) that can be used to build or destroy. It must be used wisely. It must be used widely. But, like any tool,it has its limitations. In any case, goodbye. I wish FIRE success. I just can't listen any longer.
If students believe they are "made to feel uncomfortable" in college, wait untin they enter what passes for the real world once they leave school.
Good
It would seem that FIRE needs to draw some thoughtful lines between speech that is deserving of protection and that which is not. This is a difficult project to be sure, but lately FIRE sometimes seems to be defending the indefensible.
C'mon FIRE, you can do better than hackery like this. Nothing to do with "black Jesus"; everything to do with a toxic radical who unjustly and repeatedly attacks her colleagues and superiors.