We have been discussing the worrisome trend of professors being subjected to investigations and discipline for “micro aggressions” or hostile environment in classrooms. These actions raise serious concerns over academic freedom. One such case involves University of Kansas Assistant communication studies professor Andrea Quenette. Quenette was subjected to a four-month investigation after using a racial slur in class as part of her lecture. Now, she has been cleared of the offense but she is still being asked to comply with special training and remedial actions.
Quenette was put on paid leave in November after eight graduate students filed a discrimination complaint against her. Quenette explained that the n-word was used in the course of retelling a factual event that occurred at another campus. The discussion followed a heated, campus-wide town hall forum on race and she was responding to a student’s question about how to best talk about the event and racial issues with other students. She said that it was difficult to address such issues as a white woman but said that KU was better than other schools where she had seen racial slurs written on the walls including the n-word. The graduate students proceeded to file a complaint that object that “Dr. Quenette’s deployment of racially violent rhetoric not only creates a non-inclusive environment in opposition to one of the University of Kansas’ core tenets, but actively destroys the very possibility of realizing those values and goals.” So a teacher discussing historic racism cannot use the terms deemed offensive in class? Her comments were clearly not meant with racial animus but the opposite. Yet, Jyleesa Hampton, a first-year communications graduate student insisted that the important thing is not how such words are intended but how they are received.
Now here is the unclear element in the KU investigation. Quenette was cleared of racism and harassment. She was found to have used the word as part of an educational purpose. Yet, the university recommended that Quenette undergo cultural competency training, re-evaluate orientation curriculum to include more diversity support and pair up with a faculty member. The school also recommended possibly reassigning duties within the communications department. That is the response to an complaint that was rejected in terms of a violation of the school rules.
What is particularly disturbing is that Quenette was subject to such a long investigation after a letter was issued that clearly objected to her views as an academic. The open letter included the following objections:
“As you can imagine, this utterance caused shock and disbelief. Her comments that followed were even more disparaging as they articulated not only her lack of awareness of racial discrimination and violence on this campus and elsewhere but an active denial of institutional, structural and individual racism. This denial perpetuates racism in and of itself. After Ph.D. student Ian Beier presented strong evidence about low retention and graduation rates among black students as being related to racism and a lack of institutional support, Dr. Quenette responded with, ‘Those students are not leaving school because they are physically threatened every day but because of academic performance.’ This statement reinforces several negative ideas: that violence against students of color is only physical, that students of color are less academically inclined and able, and that structural and institutional cultures, policies and support systems have no role in shaping academic outcomes. Dr. Quenette’s discourse was uncomfortable, unhelpful and blatantly discriminatory.”
I have no problem with students challenging the view that black students are being forced out of school due to their race as opposed to their academic performance. However, the students appear unwilling to accept that anyone could hold any opposing view or that such views can be voiced in the context of a class committed to discussing the issue. That is both troubling in terms of the views of these students but also the trend on college and universities campuses.
Squeeky,
I’ve called out Bill Clinton numerous times on this board. His signing of the repeal of Glass Steagal; Mandatory sentencing; harsh drug-sentencing laws aimed at minorities; lousy welfare reform; firing up the school-to-prison pipeline. And more. I would call him out for his so-called moral failings as well, were it not for the fact the the three main Republicans who went after him were ALL doing the EXACT SAME THING at the very time they went after him.
So, how about you? You willing to call out St. Ronnie and Tricky Dick for their racist dog-whistle politics? You will to through them under the bus for the part they played in the phony drug wars? Reagan’s role in ignoring the HIV-AIDS crisis? Southern Strategy? Anything?
Jim22:
I’m not asking you to take the blame for anyone else’s choices or misery. Just wondering if you might walk a mile in someone’s shoes and have some perspective.
If you want to know about oppression, ask the one who is being oppressed, not the oppressor. Many of those participating in the oppression are well intentioned and not aware of how their words or actions are received as acts of oppression.
Two men enter an elevator, one white, one Black. The Black man presses the floor buttons, the white man says “atta boy”, the Black man gives him sensitivity training by letting him know that it was an unacceptable response. Did the white man mean it as an insult? No. But to the Black man who knows that “boy” is what Black men were called as a way to deny their manhood, it was offensive.
A Black woman was applying for a job and was being shown around by a white man. He was extolling the virtues of the place and then pointed out a woman and saying “even she is doing well”. The woman was Black, the only Black person the interviewee saw during the visit. “Even she”?? He had no ill intention, but he was insulting the woman he was pointing out.
Bigotry can be subtle. Systemic bigotry, racism, is also subtle at times.
In another incident (wish I could remember where I read about it so I could freshen up the details), after sending troops to the south in support of the civil rights activists, President Kennedy and/or Bobby Kennedy had a meeting with several civil rights activists, many/most of them well known performers, Harry Belefonte, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, and others The Kennedy(s) were expecting thanks and praise for their actions as if the fight were over. They were extremely surprised when the Blacks took them to school on the pervasiveness of racism and that the fight had barely begun. One result of the meeting was Bobby Kennedy making a trip through the south and seeing the extent of the poverty. He went to reeducation camp on that trip and it reformed many of his ideas about what the country needed.
Again, if you want to know about oppression by racism or bigotry or economic standing ask those being oppressed, not those doing the oppression, however well-meaning the oppressor.
bettykath – an ‘attaboy’ is just that. An attaboy. A compliment. I worked at a school where they gave out “Attaboy” certificates to faculty and staff for things they had done beyond the call of duty. There was no sex or race involved. When we got one we put it in our cubicle.
Here is an essay which lays out important connections applicable to this story:
“A generation ago, a post-modern cult now known as “identity politics” stopped many intelligent, liberal-minded people examining the causes and individuals they supported — such as the fakery of Obama and Clinton; such as bogus progressive movements like Syriza in Greece, which betrayed the people of that country and allied with their enemies.”
http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/03/23/a-world-war-has-begun-break-the-silence/
Thanks also for the drug story. I saw that yesterday and I think it’s very important. We are seeing the ways
People who claim to be liberals but are against free speech are not liberals…..being offended is part of living in a free society. Education is in part learning how to negotiate and thrive out of ones comfort zone.
@PhilaT
If you Liberals would knock off buying black votes with welfare money and benefits, then maybe black kids wouldn’t have to “grow up in a broken family, surrounded by violence and poverty, sleeping in the bathtub to dodge the bullets randomly coming through the walls at night, harassed by the police, beaten up by gang members living in your building.”
But no! The Democratic Leadership needs votes, and run-of-the-mill liberals need to feel good about themselves. Sooo, to hell with how the black folks have to live! Viva le votes! Viva le vibe!
As far as the alleged Erlichmann quote, I see some historical revision going on to move the focus from Bill Clinton’s war on drugs and crime, back to Nixon and the Republicans. Yep, good old reliable race-baiting and race-pandering Democrats!
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Thank you everybody for your supportive words. This has been a miserable time for our family. My wife Andrea is a dedicated, hard working scholar. All we ever wanted to do was live a life of relative anonymity but now our names are splattered all over the media.
I appreciate the share of our legal fund, the costs are not final and it seems we still have some fighting to do. Please continue to share Andrea’s story and keep KU accountable.
Scott Quenette – as a teacher I have done what your wife has done and a lot worse trying to make a point in a lesson. I was lucky enough to have administrators who backed me. I am so very sorry your wife is caught in this mess. However, I hope she stays strong and does not cave in on the punishments they have “suggested.” Right now she is representing not only herself, but all those who come after her.
May she stand on the head of the turtle.
One example from The Fire blog put up here on the blog by JR. Another Kansas U example:
2. Sarah Trower
Title IX strikes again—this time at the University of Kansas, where student Navid Yeasin was expelled for calling his ex-girlfriend (also a student) a “psycho bitch” on Twitter. That wasn’t very nice of him, but it certainly wasn’t illegal. Nevertheless, administrators expelled Yeasin for his tweet—even though it didn’t specifically mention the girlfriend, and even though she had no way of seeing it since he had already blocked her.
Yeasin sued the university and the case went to court, where a judge agreed with Yeasin that a public university could not punish him for his hostile tweet. But KU appealed the decision: lawyer Sarah Trower argued that Yeasin violated Tile IX and deprived his girlfriend of her right to a hostility-free campus environment. “You can’t… [be] seeking to alienate her,” said Trower at the Court of Appeals hearing.
Show the movie Forest Gump, and make it required for all first semester Freshman.
Require all of the complainers to be examined by a psychiatric MD immediately. Shock treatment for those who complained about this incident. Blame their parents for not educating the wimps before sending them off to find Dorothy.
There are a lot of movies I would require freshmen to see, Forrest Gump is NOT on of them. What is your purpose in showing the film?
philat, Excuses are just that. I’m not going to apologize for living a normal life or having parents that were good. Everyone has crap that they have to deal with and everyone has opportunites in front of them. Don’t blame me for others not taking advantage of what is in front of them, however small they might be. What you might see as being judgemental, I see as good common sense and most likely something that the people you are describing could have used more of in their lives.
Show the movie Blazing Saddles at KU.
Elmer:
https://harpers.org/archive/2016/04/legalize-it-all/
Jim22:
How wonderful for you that you grew up in a broken family, surrounded by violence and poverty, sleeping in the bathtub to dodge the bullets randomly coming through the walls at night, harassed by the police, beaten up by gang members living in your building and still manage to avoid being an alcoholic or drug addict. Sadly not everyone is as perfect as you.
philat – you must has spent a lot of time being buillied as a child. BTW, sorry about your upbringing.
This quote is from the KU School of Medicine website:
At KU Wichita Psychiatry, we offer psychiatric assessment and treatment, including therapy and medication management for children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly at offices located on the KU School of Medicine-Wichita campus. Because of our affiliation with the medical school and faculty involvement in research, we are able to offer the latest in medication expertise.
Our Services Include:
Medication management
Psychological assessments and therapy for children and adolescents
Second opinions
Specialized psychiatric treatment, including electro-convulsive therapy and vagal nerve stimulation
When someone writes, “JT, How about a story..” I stop reading and say, start your own freakin’ blog!!
I’m investigating a cold case for PC.
The Shadows music video “Apache” 1969. Guitars are not plugged in and Indian girls that dance in video are blonde or brunette. Any help would greatly appreciated.
Just one more reason why FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education) is among the most important non-profits in America. See their list of The 8 Most Loathsome Campus Censors of 2015 at https://www.thefire.org/silencing-students-the-8-most-loathsome-campus-censors-of-2015/
How much does it cost for in-state tuition at that so called university? For two semesters?
Off to the “camp” with her..
To the Grad Students at KU:
Google: Lee Atwater and The Southern Strategy.
Guess what three words you don’t have to say anymore to get the White bigot vote?
After you read it, go to the doctor and get some more Thorazine.
To the “Graduate Students” at KU.
(music)
Good ol boys from K U.
Went in dumb, come out dumb too.
Husltin round Atlanta in their alligator shoes…
—
Look that one up on Google. But, Jeso don’t you dare sing the Randy Newman lyrics on campus or you will get suspended. Randy Newman, Rednecks. Google it. Then after reading it go seek treatment. I suggest phenothiazens. Or Electro Shock Therapy.
Toto, a witch biting dog, said to Dorothy: Dorothy we’re not in Kansas anymore.
Or sumsuch in the movie The Wizard of Oz.