Another absurd firing.

[explorerzip]

Let's not forget the USC Business Professor demonstrating in his communication for management class that a Chinese "filler" word (e.g. umm, atah, or that) may also sounds like an offienseive word in another language such as the N word.

How a Mild-Mannered USC Professor Accidentally Ignited Academia's Latest Culture War

Dr. Greg Patton's use of a Chinese word that sounds like a slur to American ears led to calls for his dismissal

www.lamag.com

The details between this and the OP's post are quite different. The prof in the OP's post made an unambiguous statement about how she felt.

The prof at USC used a Chinese phrase that some people thought sounds like the N word. That was truly a misunderstanding. I do think that the students that complained blew the whole thing way out of proportion. There are many words in English never mind Chinese that can sound similar. Having said that, I can defend their right to complain or protest about it because that's freedom of speech. The university should take all complaints seriously and investigate, which they did. I do not think that the prof should have been suspended while the investigation was going on though.

 

[Nesbot]

Why would a law professor be so careless with words as to get herself fired? I mean, shouldn't she be experienced enough to know what not to say? Weird.

 

[canada-man]

 

[explorerzip]

Why would a law professor be so careless with words as to get herself fired? I mean, shouldn't she be experienced enough to know what not to say? Weird.

It would seem obvious that a professor would know what to say and what not to say. At minimum she should be able to construct a complete and coherent idea especially as a law professor. Lawyers need do that for their livelihood. I would hope that people that are teaching others would know how to think and construct ideas, but that's too much to ask apparently.

 

[wazup]

It would seem obvious that a professor would know what to say and what not to say. At minimum she should be able to construct a complete and coherent idea especially as a law professor. Lawyers need do that for their livelihood. I would hope that people that are teaching others would know how to think and construct ideas, but that's too much to ask apparently.

It was supposed to be a private conversation and I believe with racism you are supposed to display some form of hatred which she didn't imo. She was punished for stating facts.

 

[basketcase]

There're lots of unknowns in this case that we'll never have the background on. ...

And that's the thing that the Seuss crowd want to avoid asking about. Firing a professor isn't a straightforward thing (even a part timer) and obviously the school put thought into it. She commented about being concerned about black students complaining which means this is likely far from the first instance that accusations have been made.

In a country built on lawsuits, we can be pretty sure that the University's lawyers think their bases are covered.

 

[EntertainmentMan2000]

People need to be accountable for what comes out of their mouth! End of story.

 

[Valcazar]

I do not think that the prof should have been suspended while the investigation was going on though.

He wasn't though, was he? They just removed him from that specific class, since obviously the students in that class were upset and the investigation was still going on.
He was never suspended and still works there today, unless I am misremembering this case.

 

[explorerzip]

It was supposed to be a private conversation and I believe with racism you are supposed to display some form of hatred which she didn't imo. She was punished for stating facts.

It amazes me that so many here are focusing only on the cancel culture or racism narratives, which are secondary. Politics is polarized because we cannot or will not get past cancel culture or whatever the headlines are. We're too busy throwing factoids around instead of asking tough questions. It takes no effort to come up with facts like blacks seems to be at the bottom of the class year after year. We have to be able to question on why those facts are the reality. The answers are not as important as the questions. A professor of all people needs to be able to question why students (not just blacks) are struggling year after year, is affirmative action or some other program behind it, are they trying to push through too many students, etc. After all, her job is to teach people how to think and question. Lawyer definitely need to be able to ask good questions.

I am curious why this story came from TMZ yet Tucker Carlson and Ben Shapiro seem to be silent. They scream the loudest about cancel culture and how the universities are politically biased. Here seems to be an example of a biased professor that can't seem to think or question things. I think it's concerning that an educator can't string together a meaningful thought about this topic because she's in a position to do something and it's her job. That's why I have no confidence in the education system. You have people like this that are just going through the motions, but don't know how to think or ask questions. It's no wonder that so many university grads are not able to accept different viewpoints with an open mind.

 

[explorerzip]

He wasn't though, was he? They just removed him from that specific class, since obviously the students in that class were upset and the investigation was still going on.
He was never suspended and still works there today, unless I am misremembering this case.

Soon after receiving the student’s complaints, Garrett suspended Patton from teaching the course, pending a USC investigation.

The investigation into the professor ended without fanfare on September 25. The university’s Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX concluded there was no ill intent on Patton’s part and that “the use of the Mandarin term had a legitimate pedagogical purpose.” In a follow-up email to students and faculty, the dean appeared to tiptoe between concerns of the complainants and the strong opinions of faculty and students. Garrett described the complaint letter as “genuine and serious,” apologized for appearing to prejudge Patton, and assured students and faculty that he meant to cast no aspersions “on specific Mandarin words or on Mandarin generally.”

Seems that the dean jumped the gun way too quickly.

 

[Valcazar]

Seems that the dean jumped the gun way too quickly.

I still can't get too mad about removing him from the class because once a class becomes toxic between students and teacher no one is going to learn anything.
They didn't suspend him from teaching in general and didn't fire him, so it seems it overall worked out.

 

[wazup]

It amazes me that so many here are focusing only on the cancel culture or racism narratives, which are secondary. Politics is polarized because we cannot or will not get past cancel culture or whatever the headlines are. We're too busy throwing factoids around instead of asking tough questions. It takes no effort to come up with facts like blacks seems to be at the bottom of the class year after year. We have to be able to question on why those facts are the reality. The answers are not as important as the questions. A professor of all people needs to be able to question why students (not just blacks) are struggling year after year, is affirmative action or some other program behind it, are they trying to push through too many students, etc. After all, her job is to teach people how to think and question. Lawyer definitely need to be able to ask good questions.

I am curious why this story came from TMZ yet Tucker Carlson and Ben Shapiro seem to be silent. They scream the loudest about cancel culture and how the universities are politically biased. Here seems to be an example of a biased professor that can't seem to think or question things. I think it's concerning that an educator can't string together a meaningful thought about this topic because she's in a position to do something and it's her job. That's why I have no confidence in the education system. You have people like this that are just going through the motions, but don't know how to think or ask questions. It's no wonder that so many university grads are not able to accept different viewpoints with an open mind.

I was a straight C or D student, I now realize it was all the teachers fault, what a relief. I take no responsibility whatsoever. They should have been able to adapt to me and make me learn, now I wish I would have loafed my way through university also since I could have blamed the profs.

 

[t.o.leafs.fan]

I was a straight C or D student, I now realize it was all the teachers fault, what a relief. I take no responsibility whatsoever. They should have been able to adapt to me and make me learn, now I wish I could have loafed my way through university also since I could have blamed the profs.

Welcome to the new 'normal-think.'

 

[wazup]

Welcome to the new 'normal-think.'

What a relief to find out nothing I've ever done is my fault.

 

[Mr.Know-It-All]

Just like it's always the cop's fault when a criminal disobeying orders reaches for what could be a concealed handgun gets shot. It's never the criminal or the criminal behavior that's the problem... it's the cop's fault for trying to keep the peace and ensure his/her own safety from a violent offender.

 

[Fun For All]

I was a straight C or D student, I now realize it was all the teachers fault, what a relief. I take no responsibility whatsoever. They should have been able to adapt to me and make me learn, now I wish I would have loafed my way through university also since I could have blamed the profs.

You were probably pretty lucky to get those C's...

 

[t.o.leafs.fan]

I still can't get too mad about removing him from the class because once a class becomes toxic between students and teacher no one is going to learn anything.
They didn't suspend him from teaching in general and didn't fire him, so it seems it overall worked out.

Guy does nothing wrong, his reputation is sullied by the woke mob and can't teach the class he seemingly wanted to teach. It all worked out just groovy.

 

[TeeJay]

It really is a funny commentary on reality

We cry about how "poor disadvantaged" blacks do so poorly in school
Yet somehow other immigrant / refugee groups manage to get ahead with hard work

Instead mentioning the fact that "the blacks" have higher dropout rates and are less likely to graduate is somehow racist
So we can't confront the issues, can't comment on them, but its cool to look at issue high level simply to talk about the systemic racism

Never seen a more absurd idea
Do not try and conform to system, instead complain the system is against you

 

[TeeJay]

Just like it's always the cop's fault when a criminal disobeying orders reaches for what could be a concealed handgun gets shot. It's never the criminal or the criminal behavior that's the problem... it's the cop's fault for trying to keep the peace and ensure his/her own safety from a violent offender.

My personal fav is when after arresting someone cops find drugs / guns / stolen merchandise (etc) and person committing crime jumps up and down screaming cop is racist for arresting him

 

[explorerzip]

I was a straight C or D student, I now realize it was all the teachers fault, what a relief. I take no responsibility whatsoever. They should have been able to adapt to me and make me learn, now I wish I would have loafed my way through university also since I could have blamed the profs.

What a relief to find out nothing I've ever done is my fault.

Just like it's always the cop's fault when a criminal disobeying orders reaches for what could be a concealed handgun gets shot. It's never the criminal or the criminal behavior that's the problem... it's the cop's fault for trying to keep the peace and ensure his/her own safety from a violent offender.

Thanks for proving my earlier point. You are so conditioned to look at the shiny ball of cancel culture that nothing else can enter your mind.

Welcome to the new 'normal-think.'

Actually, it's just thinking. It is challenging, but maybe try it sometime.