A new study has called for a concerted effort to cite academics of color and greater diversity to make from the hold of “white heteromasculism” on research. Geographers Carrie Mott (professor at Rutgers University) and Daniel Cockayne (professor at University of Waterloo in Ontario) has identified the reliance on research by white males as a “system of oppression” benefitting “white, male, able-bodied, economically privileged, heterosexual, and cisgendered.” Cisgendered refers people whose gender identity matches their birth sex.
Academics
Trinity College Professor Cleared After Alleged Racist Postings Against White People
![](https://jonathanturley.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/hc-trinity-campus-closed-threats-20170621-003.jpg?w=600" alt="hc-trinity-campus-closed-threats-20170621-003" width="300" height="169" />There is a new controversy involving an investigation of a professor for statements made on social media. Trinity College Professor Johnny Williams has fled Connecticut after receiving death threats over his postings, including an inflammatory reference to people considered bigots and how we should "Let Them. F**king Die." Williams teaches classes on race and racism and clearly wanted to get others to read this hateful screed.</p><!--more-->As we have previously discussed (<a href="https://jonathanturley.org/2016/12/26/oregon-professor-causes-firestorm-over-black-face-costume-worn-at-party-off-campus/">including the recent controversies involving an Oregon professor</a> and a <a href="https://jonathanturley.org/2016/12/27/106981/">Drexel professor</a>), there remains an uncertain line in what language is protected for teachers in their private lives. The incident also raises what some faculty have complained is a double or at least uncertain standard. We have previously discussed controversies at the <a href="https://jonathanturley.org/2014/11/10/miller-young-and-university-of-california-sued-over-campus-assault-on-pro-life-advocates/">University of California</a> and <a href="https://jonathanturley.org/2015/05/22/news-calls-for-termination-of-saidi-grundy-after-disclosure-of-prior-criminal-impersonation-of-another-woman/">Boston University</a>, where there have been criticism of a double standard, <a href="https://jonathanturley.org/2014/11/10/miller-young-and-university-of-california-sued-over-campus-assault-on-pro-life-advocates/">even in the face of criminal conduct</a>. There were also such incident at the University of London involving <a href="https://jonathanturley.org/2015/10/07/university-of-london-diversity-officer-charged-with-threatening-communications-after-racist-and-sexist-comments/">Bahar Mustafa</a> as well as one involving a University of Pennsylvania professor.As is well known on this blog, I tend to favor free speech rights in all of these cases. In my view, this view does seem to be satire — bad satire but satire all the same. However, the standard remains entirely uncertain for academics as to whether their conduct or comments outside of school will be the basis for discipline. As a private institution, Drexel falls under a different standard than schools like the University of Oregon. Yet, free speech demands a bright line to avoid a chilling effect on those who want to challenge the status quo or popular views. Academics often write to challenge students and the public in exploring the edges of norms and beliefs.As you might expect, I view this latest controversy through the same free speech lens. The reaction to the social media posting in my view was overblown, including closing the entire campus by President Joanne Berger-Sweeney.<p class="column small-12 medium-10 medium-offset-1 large-offset-2 text size-1x-large line-height-large _10M0Ygc4"><img class=" size-full wp-image-119295 alignright" src="https://jonathanturley.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/300px-trinity_college_connecticut_seal-svg.png)
We previously discussed the controversy surrounding Trinity College Professor Johnny Williams and his posts against white people, including an inflammatory reference to people considered bigots and how we should “Let Them. F**king Die.” Williams teaches classes on race and racism and clearly wanted to get others to read this hateful screed.. As I am mentioned in the earlier post, I do not believe that Williams should have been punished for his postings as a matter of free speech and academic freedom. The College has now reached the same conclusion but the question remains whether the College will take a similar principled position for academics espousing such views about other races.
Columbia Settles Lawsuit With Male Student Accused Of Rape in “Mattress Girl” Case
Columbia University has reached a settlement in one of its most controversial cases of alleged sexual assault. Paul Nungesser, who was accused of raping a fellow classmate who became known as “mattress girl,” will receive a settlement. Emma Sulkowicz carried around a mattress on campus in protest, even taking the mattress to graduation. She received college credit for the protest as a form of performance art. Nungesser had lost twice over motions of dismissal and was pursuing an appeal
New Poll: Support For Creationism Falls To Record Low
A new poll from Gallup shows a sharp decline in Americans who believe in creationism and specifically the “Young Earth” view that the Earth is less than 10,000 years old. Only 38 percent of those polled now embrace creationism while 57 percent accept the theory of evolution as well as scientific data uniformly showing life existed millions of years ago.
Is This Amelia Earhart?
The search of Amelia Earhart is a mystery that seems to deepen by the year. The latest intriguing twist is the photo above. Marked “Jaluit Atoll,” the photo shows a short-haried woman wearing pants and sitting with her back to the camera. Near her is a tall man resembling her co-pilot Fred Noonan. The 1937 photo was taken on a dock in the Marshall Islands and is being cited as support for the theory that the two were captured alive and died in Japanese custody during World War II on the island of Saipan.
Study: Twenty Percent Of LA Community College Students Are Homeless
A new shocking study has found that 1 in every 5 of the 230,000 in Los Angeles Community College District are homeless and another two-thirds cannot afford food costs. It is a chilling statistic that offers an insight into economic strata in the country and the marginal economic conditions for so many people.
Russians Select Stalin As Greatest Leader Of All Time In New Poll
For those hoping that Russians will gradually reject the authoritarian rule by Vladimir Putin, a new poll will be a disappointment. Russians have long favored the strongman leader and that taste for authoritarianism has not greatly diminished. A new poll shows that Russians place Stalin at the top of the list of the greatest historical figures of all time. Putin tied with poet Alexander Pushkin for second place. The poll was conducted by the Levada Centre.
