From the NYT this morning, a story about people flexing.
An art historian at a private college wants to include a historically important depiction of the Prophet Muhammad from Persian art of the 13th century. There is no actual prohibition in Islam to depict Muhammad. Some consider it wrong, others questionable, others fine.
The professor goes out of her way to be sensitive. In the syllabus, she warns people this will occur. She discusses it in class that it will occur. On the day it will happen, she gives anyone who might be offended time to leave.
She shows the artwork and a student objects, calls it Islamaphobia, disrespect of her religion and generally causes a big fuss. Big meetings happen on campus where Islamic students claim rampant anti-Islamic bias. College administrators sack the professor.
Academics begin to fight back. Petition drives to support the professor. Discussions of academic freedom. Objection to how a discussion about an important piece of Islamic art is being likened to violence against mosques or harassment of Muslims. Pointing out how this professor bent over backwards to be sensitive and gave numerous warnings.
I'm seeing this more and more on campus - a loud minority blowing up an incident, national types using it to further an agenda, cowardly administrators caring more about appeasing and willing to sacrifice their staff to make the incident go away.
I'm glad I'm not in college these days. Too many people flexing their power as a minority to cause needless ruckus for the sake of asserting power, not solving bona fide issues. And as someone who has taught at a few colleges, I'm glad that I don't have to rely on spineless college administrators anymore.
Higher education sucks.
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