When Dissenting Scholarship Is ‘Genocide,’ There’s Nothing to Be Said

5 Comments for “When Dissenting Scholarship Is ‘Genocide,’ There’s Nothing to Be Said”

  1. posted by David Bauler on

    From what I gather, academia is a fairly tough place. Its publish or parish. Harsh critcism of academic research and publications is quite common. Even when its not a hot topic.

  2. posted by Bryan on

    From the article: “students have gathered over 2,100 signatures on a petition demanding that the university fire Yenor.” That’s not “harsh criticism,” that’s demanding censorship. Harsh criticism would be welcome as it would mean a debate; but the critics don’t want to debate, they want to silence.

  3. posted by Jorge on

    “Tenure may protect Yenor’s academic freedom, for now. Boise State dean Corey Cook says that he’s “not willing to condemn” him.”

    Academia is indeed a harsh place. What were those students thinking when they ventured out of their safe space?

    One more thing.

    “The university’s Director for Diversity and Inclusion charged in a statement that Yenor and others sharing his views have a “pathetic fear of change,” and that his essay “includes a seed of hate that needs to be labeled for what it is, the spirit of an ideological animal called supremacy.””

    I’ve only ever been familiar with my own college’s Director of Affirmative Action. There was a racial controversy at my college right before graduation. He came out saying that the controversial act was “clearly” racial and offensive. Right after he said that I presented an informal poll showing the student community was split. Well, the students involved folded anyway–I won’t criticize that, though.

    I used to be shocked by things like that. Now I ask questions like, “Has anyone ever heard of a conservative director of affirmative action?”

    • posted by David Bauer on

      Again. Criticism of ideas is pretty commonplace on a campus. Has been for centuries.

      He had to expect disagreement with what he said, and disagreement and criticism ain’t actual censorship or oppression. Talking about a controversial subject and being shocked that you are now controversial, is silly.

      If he actually gets fired,then we can talk about unlawful termination. But, evey campus (of a certain size) has some young liberal and conservative students who like to make noise and push each others buttons.

      Young political activists – on both sides – tend to like theatrics. Pretending that its only a issue for young liberals, is a dishonest parlor trick.

  4. posted by David Bauer on

    um, no. People have a Constitutional right to petition. I seen lots of harsh stuff said about professors (on websites dedicated to rating professors), including students saying that a professor should bye fired, because of their politics, their grading method, lame jokes, etc.

    If he actually gets fired, then let’s see what the grounds are for it, and whether procedure was followed. Right now its mostly typical theatrics from a select group of campus liberal and conservatives , who like to push each others buttons.

    If the professor publishes a serious academic article, he should expect and welcome criticism.

Comments are closed.