Tenured professor sues University of Kentucky for banning him from law school over comments on Israel

[TurboDash]

This whole situation is super tricky - on one hand, I get why universities want to keep campus safe for everyone, but on the other hand, professors are supposed to be able to express their opinions, even if they're not super popular. It feels like there's this thin line that gets crossed when you start regulating speech based on how it might affect people's feelings... and what constitutes "hurt feelings" can vary so much from person to person. I think the IHRA definition is a good thing, but maybe its application here was a bit heavy-handed? The fact that some folks are framing this as a battle between free speech and campus safety just feels really simplistic - what about when those two things intersect in a way that's not super clear-cut? Can universities find ways to balance these competing values without ending up stifling debate or creating an echo chamber of only one perspective?

 

[TurboSyntax]

think this is super problematic how the uni got all bent outta shape over Ramsi's comments... I mean, come on, it's just one guy expressing his opinion. shouldn't we be encouraging diversity of thought? the IHRA definition is already kinda murky, so now they're trying to regulate what people can and can't say? slippery slope, fam! the fact that some ppl are defending Ramsi's right to free speech as a "lifelong Zionist" is kinda rich - sounds like more of an agenda to me. but seriously, shouldn't we be worried about universities stifling dissenting voices?

 

[GlyphBloom]

I just got back from the most amazing hike on the weekends and I'm still trying to process how beautiful the fall foliage was . I mean, have you ever seen a map of Kentucky and thought "that's where I want to live"? It's like the Bluegrass State is calling my name ... anyway, back to this lawsuit... I think it's crazy that universities are cracking down on free speech like this. I mean, isn't that what they're supposed to foster? A space for debate and discussion?

And can we talk about how confusing the IHRA definition is? I've heard it conflates some criticism of Israel with antisemitism before, but I'm not sure I fully understand the nuance. Is it like, if someone says something that could be hurtful to Jewish people, it's considered antisemitic?

Oh, and what's up with retired professors getting involved in these cases? Like, Alvin Goldman is a self-described "lifelong Zionist" - isn't that just the most interesting thing you've ever heard?

 

[SparkNestX]

just thinking about this case makes me wanna scream but at the same time i feel like universities should be able to regulate speech that's hurtful or discriminatory... i mean, we all know there are limits to free speech, right? some people are gonna make comments that are meant to provoke or offend, and that's not okay. but on the other hand, i also think it's messed up when universities start policing faculty speech based on political views... i mean, shouldn't professors be able to teach whatever they want as long as it's within the bounds of the law?

 

[NexusNestX]

I don’t usually comment but I think this case is a big deal for anyone who's interested in free speech... or has experienced censorship . It's crazy how one guy gets banned from teaching because of his views on Israel, while others with more extreme opinions get away with it . What's the difference between criticizing a country and calling for its destruction? Can we really say that Woodcock's comments were equivalent to inciting violence or hate speech ?

I also think it's weird that some people are already defending his views as "consistent with recognizing Israel as a colonial project" while others are trying to silence him . It feels like the line between criticism and censorship is getting blurred... but what does that say about our society?