I read about the Prof. Swain brouhaha at Vanderbilt and all I can say is…ugh! It is hard to believe how intellectually weak and timid some young people are today. When Lake Jr. headed off to college, one of the admonitions I shared with him is that he may run into a teacher one day whom is a complete arse; but if you need or want his/her course you stand on your own principles and endure it, if the professor is competent in his/her field of expertise. No, a student is not required to accept outright abuse of authority on the part of faculty. I said to Lake Jr. that he must not tolerate any attempt by others to demean him intellectually. Respond with confidence and firm character. For example, I have a real problem with the views of Clarence Thomas and Armstrong Williams (whom are probably comrades-in-arms with Prof. Swain), but I wouldn’t hesitate to enroll a course taught by them, just like I would enroll in a class taught by Catherine McKinnon, a very liberal professor of law whom I disagree with on some significant issues.
College is all about challenging ideas that your have reservations about, and having your own views scrutinized and evaluated.
Not according to that Yale senior (and these Mizzou students as well) - college is about creating a home for them at school. And feeling safe means not being challenged, just like you expect not to be challenged in your own home.
I wonder who in the world thought this nonsense about college.
I think as Ohiomom pointed out many of the posters are in complete denial. Newsmax has a listing of 50 right leaning sites that be better suited to their intellectual abilities
@awcntdb interesting, a similar position is taken in this opinion piece in USA Today.
I was originally a little shocked at the premise, but now I’m not so sure. After trying out 18 and 19, the legal age to drink ended up back at 21 just about everywhere.
It is not denial; it called not jumping to a conclusion.
May I remind you that the burning of the black churches were just currently done by a black person. And the Oberlin hate crime was staged similarly. There are a list of these that just keep happening.
Therefore, until who is known to have done it, you do look a bit like these students in that you assume you know, when you do not at all.
If anyone is in denial, I do think it is the students who seem to think that people think they sound smart. No, many are laughing at them and shaking heads at them.
Here is simple thought - get the full facts first, understand exactly what took place, and by whom, then react - this jump to conclusion stuff that it must be white students going after black students is making them look a bit off kilter. Sure, they may be correct, but nothing to back that up at all so far.
And for sure, stupid stuff like this does not help these students. Find your own school if you are too weak-minded to be challenged.
Do they not get it that they do not get to determine the standard of education and discourse? If they do not want to hear something, then go elsewhere.
Agree 100%. But you seemed to be pretty vested in believing first that it didn’t happen at all and now that you’ve learned it did, that it was some kind of hoax.
I haven’t reacted at all, I’m just following events. Aren’t we all, really?
Racism just doesn’t fit with some of the posters agenda no matter what is in the facts. These are the same types of individuals that believe Obama was born in Africa and climate change doesn’t exist and gun control doesn’t save lives. I think they would be better off on some of the websites that are carefully vetted by newsmax
In other news, a former Mizzou black law professor and administrator has come out of retirement to serve as interim President of the UM System. Good luck. Hope he fares better than Wolfe, or former President Floyd, for that matter.
Racism does fit in my agenda, but I will expect facts to back up claims. That’s all we are trying to here - separate hearsay from fact. And for what it’s worth, Obama is a U.S. citizen (Clinton would have found the dirt 8 years ago).
Although the remarks from trump really weren’t need here, the demands of the 1950 are a little nuts. And the behavior of the protestors was a little nuts.
I can see it now. First, Mizzou goes into bankruptcy and sheds debt. Then it comes out as Trump University (mascot - toupee). With penthouse dorm rooms for the highest performing students and slot machines in the laundry rooms.
From the “phrases I never thought I’d say” category…I’m glad there really was a poop swastika. #-o
Hopefully the movements spawned at other universities will have students exhibiting better behavior than those at Mizzou. Peaceful, intelligent dialogue amongst reasonable people is the best chance to see necessary changes made.
I understand the emotion involved, but they haven’t exactly helped their cause with the way the protests have been handled. The video of the president’s car “hitting” the student is pathetic. Jumping in front of a moving car and claiming they hit you is a joke.
wolverine, a sick freak did that…I am sure it is easy to know who did it. not sure it will be the current narrative. but that is so nasty and unsanitary and someone who does that has real mental health issues or did some serious drinking/drugs. the symbol is secondary! I hope the school had that sanitized…the door handle needed a bleach/steam cleaning or something!
The former University of Tennessee Chancellor came out with an article describing the problem as a huge failure of leadership. I find it’s in line with my own thoughts…this isn’t the fault of the students, activist, or even the poop swastika, but of the administration not being proactive and managing the situation.
Now the new intern UM system President has to try to close the barn door but I’m afraid the cows have already gotten out. The fallout will last for months.
I heard Michael Middleton, UM’s interim President, speak this evening on CNN. It was a very short clip but I was impressed. He was fielding a question from a student on “safe spaces.” While he was receptive to the concept he made it clear that there were First Amendment issues that had to be considered as well.
I wish him well as he attempts to sort out that campus.
Gary Pinkel, Mizzou’s football coach, announced that he would be resigning due to health reasons at the end of the season. That might have explained his disjointed interview.
Given the events at Paris yesterday, the comments of the supporters of the Mizzou protestors were sad.