Recently there has been a spate of human rights abuses across American campuses. Well, at least, that is what I thought when I read about the recent hysteria enveloping dozens of American Universities. Turns out, it was less about human rights and more about chalk.
Sensitivities at work
Statements such as ‘Donald Trump for President’ and ‘Trump 2016’ have been scrawled in chalk all throughout University campuses across America. This has caused many students to feel afraid and intimidated. At the University of Michigan, the police were called when a student noticed Trump’s name written in chalk. Despite everyone knowing that Trump is running for President in 2016, University students, apparently, cannot handle that mere fact being stated. But sarcasm aside, I do feel sorry for these precious flowers. It must be pretty horrific to find out that there are people (armed with chalk) on their very own campuses who support the most popular Republican candidate.
Sensitivities can get you fired
But this should be no surprise. American campuses are notorious for clamping down on any political view that does not confirm with what is in vogue. Last year at Yale, a University professor was ended up resigning from her position after a row with student activists. She made the unfortunate error of weighing into a discussion about whether it is offensive to wear Halloween costumes that do not confirm to your ethnic background (for example, a white person going as Pocahontas). She felt students were smart enough to make up their own minds about what to wear, and if they did something offensive, they should face social, not legal repercussions. This was deemed as creating a dangerous space for students to learn and eventually she lost her position and status.
Yet thankfully, I live in Australia, where Australia’s higher education does not inculcate people to be overcome with Soviet style responses when faced with a political disagreement.
Or do they?
At one of Australia’s most prestigious Universities, several students, also armed with chalk, wrote shocking statements, such as ‘Islam is not a race’ and ‘Freedom of speech’. The University responded condemning the remarks as offensive and an attempt to vilify students.
At another Australian University, three students were kicked out of the computer lab for working in the Indigenous labs. He wrote a poignant remark on Facebook that ending segregation in Australia by creating more is probably not the best way to go. He, and several others who agreed with his statement (and made their own comments), have now been charged for ‘racial vilification’ offences. The staff member who kicked out the trio apparently fears for her life and is now on sick leave. I get the feeling that her fear is not based on reality, but based on her delicate sensitivities. The trio will soon be going to court, where their already substantial legal bills will be made astronomical.
However, I must say this about American campuses, at least it is the students who cannot handle a political disagreement. Here in Australia, our faculty members cannot. It makes you wonder what this says about our professors, especially within the humanities faculty.