We recently discussed the controversy surrounding a confrontation between Thrin Short, 16, and her sister Joan, 21, and Feminist Studies Associate Professor Mireille Miller-Young. Miller-Young was then charged with criminal conduct including Theft of Person; Battery; and Vandalism. While initially pleading not guilty, Miller-Young has now entered a no contest plea to charges to the three misdemeanors. Despite the videotape of the incident and violation of both criminal law and presumably university regulations, Miller-Young remains employed at the university.
Miller-Young will now be sentenced on August 14th, though jail time is unlikely.
The more pressing question is, now that she has admitted to criminal conduct in stopping free speech on campus, how will the university respond. I previously wrote a critical piece of the response by Michael D. Young, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs which seems to treat the pro-life demonstrators as the problem while encouraging faculty and students not to attack such “outsiders.”
The response from some faculty supporting Miller-Young and her actions has been itself alarming. Some 2000 faculty and students have signed a petition in support of Miller-Young while only 150 have signed a counter petition calling for her termination.
Students have clearly learned a lesson from Professor Miller-Young that free speech is only protected when we agree with the message. Consider the truly chilling view of UCSB sophomore Katherine Wehler, a theater and feminist studies major: “They are domestic terrorists, because the definition of a terrorist is someone who terrorizes.” Wehler added:
“I have a lot of feminist friends that went to them [pro-life protesters] with an educated academic response, because they were extremely triggered by these images, and the activists were saying this is for ‘women’s rights,’ . . . As feminist scholars and activists, we were insulted to hear that their cause is for women’s rights, because we felt personally attacked as women. Then, we were repeatedly called murderers. That is not okay. . . In my opinion, Professor Miller-Young would never attack anyone as the media suggests unless feeling an invasion of her own personal space like anyone else would in a fight or flight situation . . . If the university did decide to revoke her employment, there would be a large uproar because she is so celebrated.”
I cannot tell you how depressing it is to read a student who holds such views of free speech. Colleges and universities were once the very bastion for free speech. Faculty once instilled core values of pluralism and free expression in students. Wehler is a former student of Miller-Young, who appears to have had quite an influence on her understanding of free speech in our society.
Source: Independent
Eric:
I read Sandra Korn’s column. It is earnest, but wrong. “Academic justice” cannot serve as a template for tolerance because it is a largely subjective notion. Her argument essentially permits the censorship of academic views that counter what may be the acceptable or prevailing academic truths at a moment in time. Using her reasoning, one could justify censoring, disciplining or terminating a tenured professor of atmospheric sciences who expresses skepticism concerning anthropogenic climate change.
Prof. Miller-Young may indeed be a bigot.
Mike – the whole idea for social justice, academic justice, sexual justice, etc. is for progressives to control thought, speech and activity. Add to this net neutrality.
Mike Appleton,
She’s a bigot.
There is no conceivable defense for the actions of Prof. Miller-Young, with the possible exception of temporary insanity. She is fortunate that I do not sit on UCSB’s tenure committee, if there is such a thing. Perhaps she needs to be reminded that “The Feminine Mystique” appears perennially on lists of frequently banned books. Someone devoted to feminist studies ought to be on the forefront in defending freedom of speech.
I posted this in the prior related post. It’s appropriate here, too.
Re “academic justice” trumping academic freedom:
http://www.thecrimson.com/column/the-red-line/article/2014/2/18/academic-freedom-justice/?page=single
Darren and Carol Frazier both w/ great points.
Reading this column by Professor Turley I was reminded of the Duke Lacrosse case for some reason.
The poster girl for public “education.”
You just knew this person was going to be a huge success in life at first glance.
Say no more.
Privatize the education industry.
Oops! There’s one now. Affirmative action, government control of industry/economy and redistribution of wealth all in one tidy picture.
The inmates have taken over the asylum.
In my view the professor’s employment should be terminated. She was convicted of assaulting a student. Her political views are irrelevant. I don’t know how a university or any education institution could retain a faculty member convicted of such a crime.
She should consider herself lucky she wasn’t convicted of robbery because her actions could be considered such.
If I was one of the university’s administrators I would be deeply concerned of lawsuit in federal court and the potential negative retention issues in keeping her employed.
Darren – the victim is from another school. However, the point is the same. She has injured someone whom she should be protecting. Off with her head!!!
C2012,
You don’t think that’s what the RightWinged Conservatives have in mind….
George Soros. Lotta money, big lib. Your fooling yourself about Hillary Squeeky, but you’re a big girl.
@annie
I think it was lazy mindedness and hero worship to vote for Obama. The goober has zippo experience, and he was obviously writing checks with his mouth that he couldn’t cash. Then, to vote for him twice??? Unbelievable.
OTOH, Hillary has both age and political experience. Her first reaction to most criticism is GFY, although it is expressed more politely. I don’t think she buys into all this silly Lefty stuff because she is out there building up a fortune and keeping a lot of it sub rosa.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
My son in law worked for the Onion. He is a liberal, lefty lefty lefty liberal.
It appears that some folks are very confused about the politcal philosophies their ‘heroes’ actually represent. Too strange, but hey it takes all kinds to make the world go round. This is simply lazy mindedness and hero worship.
Reblogged this on Dead Citizen's Rights Society.
The Onion certainly leans left but they skewer the left quite a bit.
Karen, One of their classics.
@nicks
Thank you Nick! Remember Hillary used to be a Goldwater Girl. My father said he was an old timey Republican who lost to LBJ.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Nick – did you read the Onion satire after 9/11, where they were “interviewing” the hijackers in hell. They were complaining that instead of 52 virgins they got harpies and hell. It was awesome.
Squeeky, I had a wacky idiot try and tell me Russ Feingold didn’t want my votes or support. Haters gotta hate.
Squeeky, Kudos. You may be the most informed and intellectually honest Hillary supporter out there. Although, that is damning w/ faint praise.