2008 Woodie Awards
Faculty speak out on threats, intimidation
By: Naureen Khan
Issue date: 2/13/07 Section: News
Last update: 2/13/07 at 5:57 AM EST
Last update: 2/13/07 at 5:57 AM EST
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The charged panel discussion-entitled "Shut Up and Teach?"-addressed criticism toward academics who comment on controversial social and political issues.
The panelists at the talk-five of whom were signatories of an advertisement called the "listening statement" that was published in The Chronicle April 6, 2006-said the problems of faculty repression go beyond the events of last spring.
"We're talking about decades of the rhetorical tarring and feathering of faculty who step outside the confines of their research or their classroom," said Wahneema Lubiano, associate professor of African and African-American studies.
Lubiano said that while the issues being addressed by faculty arose in response to the lacrosse case, the discussion held Monday night was meant to address broader issues about the role of academia in society.
Maurice Wallace, associate professor of English and AAAS, said academia was a public enterprise and asserted the faculty's right to enter into conversations about social and political issues.
"It seems to me that the only way for professors to be professors is to enter the public discourse," Wallace said.
Associate Professor of AAAS Mark Anthony Neal said the purpose of academia is to comment on current pertinent issues.
"This is about an engagement with the public," Neal said. "To speak to the issues that speak to our constituencies."
The panel, however, did specifically respond to the aftermath of the lacrosse incident and the ensuing treatment of faculty.
Charles Piot, associate professor of cultural anthropology and AAAS, devoted his presentation to criticizing "Durham-in-Wonderland," an ongoing blog by KC Johnson, a history professor at Brooklyn College who is highly critical of the endorsees of the April 6 ad.
Piot called it "a voluminous and incessant commentary" on the lacrosse case that is "obsessively preoccupied with the so-called Gang of 88."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 73
Duke91
posted 2/13/07 @ 8:51 AM EST
I do think KC has gone overboard in his campaign against the Group of 88. He misunderstood the original ad, I think he has unfortunately attracted a lot of people who simply want to take Duke down a peg. (Continued…)
Trish
posted 2/13/07 @ 9:15 AM EST
"Charles Piot, associate professor of cultural anthropology and AAAS, devoted his presentation to criticizing "Durham-in-Wonderland," an ongoing blog by KC Johnson, a history professor at Brooklyn College who is highly critical of the endorsees of the April 6 ad. (Continued…)
Laura
posted 2/13/07 @ 9:47 AM EST
Did Pilot point to anything in KC Johnson's blog that was factually inaccurate?
Or are his only complaints that Johnson's blog is 1) lengthy, 2) frequently updated and that he believes Johnson is "obsessed" (something Pilot couldn't possibly know). (Continued…)
Princeton/Duke Parent
posted 2/13/07 @ 10:11 AM EST
Keep blogging KC!
Duke and G88/87, please open this to an on-campus "live" debate in Cameron where both sides are invited to freely express their opinions and the students/faculty can decide who they believe has the most reasonable position. (Continued…)
Kevin
posted 2/13/07 @ 10:29 AM EST
"Is this a joke? These professors are saying they have a right to comment on public issues, but they then have the nerve to bash another professor, just because his comments don't agree with theirs. (Continued…)
Reader
posted 2/13/07 @ 10:41 AM EST
I can hardly wait until this group professors holds a teach in on the new rape -- at a historically black fraternity against a white student.
Meantime, I must be content with the hypcrosy of saying professors should be able to comment on issues -- but not history prof KC Johnson!!!!
recent Duke grad
posted 2/13/07 @ 10:52 AM EST
..."We're talking about decades of the rhetorical TARRING AND FEATHERING of faculty who step outside the confines of their research or their classroom," said Wahneema Lubiano, associate professor of African and African-American studies. (Continued…)
Dukeparent55
posted 2/13/07 @ 12:15 PM EST
If you don't like what KC Johnson is writing in his blog, just wait for the book! Wahneema is all upset that KC documented her lack of publication since coming onto the Duke faculty. (Continued…)
Marcus Parker
posted 2/13/07 @ 12:39 PM EST
Is this what we've come to? I wonder how many people who've posted on this message board attended the OPEN forum to voice their critiques to the "evil, evil, evil, 88. (Continued…)
Dave Prinn (T '01)
posted 2/13/07 @ 12:45 PM EST
It seems to me that the same free speech that the faculty members are advocating for themselves should be afforded to their critics.
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