Kansas Prof Removed after Viral Video of Classroom Remarks
A health sports instructor at the University of Kansas is out of a job after a video clip of his in-class behavior went viral. The university’s statements do not inspire confidence, even though the professor might well have been out of bounds.
Libs of Tiktok posted a short clip of an instructor in a classroom at the University of Kansas. In the clip, he seems to say in the middle of a class session, “There are going to be some males in our society that will refuse to vote for a potential female president because they don’t think females are smart enough to be president. We could line all those guys up and shoot them. They clearly don’t understand the way the world works.” Suddenly remembering that he is being recorded, he then adds, “Did I say that? Scratch that from the recording. I don’t want the deans hearing that I said that.”
There is, of course, no context to the 32 second clip, though surrounding reporting suggests that the statement was made in the midst of a health sports class at some point this semester. The university announced yesterday that the instructor was under investigation, saying “His intent was to emphasize his advocacy for women’s rights and equality, and he recognizes he did a very poor job of doing so.” Today, the university announced that the professor had “left the university.”
“The free expression of ideas is essential to the functioning of our university, and we fully support the academic freedom of our teachers as they engage in classroom instruction. Academic freedom, however, is not a license for suggestions of violence like we saw in the video,” [Provost Barbara] Bichelmeyer said. “While we embrace our university’s role as a place for all kinds of dialogue, violent rhetoric is never acceptable.”
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) immediately issued a statement defending the professor. “The viral video shows an instructor making an off-handed joke—not communicating a serious intent to commit unlawful violence,
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.