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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Injustice in Hindley investigation
Letters to the Editor | 2/12/08
Posted online at 2:40 AM EST on 2/12/08
To the Editor:
As a Brandeis alumnus, I am appalled by the lack of due process afforded to Prof. Donald Hindley (POL) in the recent investigation by the Brandeis administration ("FIRE publishes report on Hindley," Jan. 29 issue); by the ridiculous lengths to which the administration went to ensure that minority students not be made "uncomfortable" by what their professors and fellow students say in their classes; and by what appears to me to be the unconscionable treatment of a professor who has devoted nearly a half-century of his professional life to the University.
What is more, I fail to see how Hindley's use of the word "wetback," in the context in which he uttered it, could in any way be considered derogatory, hateful or racist.
The provost's handling of the Hindley case is a disgrace to the good name of the supreme court justice after whom the University is properly named. In light of the thought control she evidently believes is appropriate, perhaps Brandeis should be renamed the University of North Korea.
I urge the administration in the strongest possible terms to drop the case and extend its apologies to Hindley. The reputation of Brandeis University depends on it.
-Jay Bergman '70
As a Brandeis alumnus, I am appalled by the lack of due process afforded to Prof. Donald Hindley (POL) in the recent investigation by the Brandeis administration ("FIRE publishes report on Hindley," Jan. 29 issue); by the ridiculous lengths to which the administration went to ensure that minority students not be made "uncomfortable" by what their professors and fellow students say in their classes; and by what appears to me to be the unconscionable treatment of a professor who has devoted nearly a half-century of his professional life to the University.
What is more, I fail to see how Hindley's use of the word "wetback," in the context in which he uttered it, could in any way be considered derogatory, hateful or racist.
The provost's handling of the Hindley case is a disgrace to the good name of the supreme court justice after whom the University is properly named. In light of the thought control she evidently believes is appropriate, perhaps Brandeis should be renamed the University of North Korea.
I urge the administration in the strongest possible terms to drop the case and extend its apologies to Hindley. The reputation of Brandeis University depends on it.
-Jay Bergman '70
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Stewart Trickett
posted 2/12/08 @ 7:10 PM EST
If there were more like Jay Bergman then this vile era of political correctness, where students are viewed as subjects to be indoctrinated rather than educated, would soon be over. (Continued…)
John Bottonari, '75
posted 2/19/08 @ 4:48 PM EST
Again: This is beyond parody, and a catastrophe for the teacher concerned. Ms. Krauss (I've never used this cliche before:) needs to Get a Life.
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