The “reverse racism” brigade strikes again!
According to NJ.com, Lisa Durden, an adjunct professor at New Jersey's Essex County College, joined Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight to discuss a “all-black Memorial Day celebration” which Carlson viewed as “separatist.”
Black Lives Matter group in New York holds an "exclusively black" Memorial Day party… and asks all other races to stay away. pic.twitter.com/M24KFpXzPw— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) June 7, 2017
Durden, who taught pop culture and communications at Essex County College firmly disagreed, believing that the celebration was a necessary safe space for black people to enjoy their culture without threats of anyone outside said culture coming to ruin it.
After the heated debate aired, the college took action, rebuking Durden’s comments.
“The college was immediately inundated with feedback from students, faculty and prospective students and their families expressing frustration, concern and even fear that the views expressed by a college employee (with influence over students) would negatively impact their experience on the campus,” college president Anthony Monroe told NJ.com. “I fully believe that institutions of higher learning must provide a safe space for students … The character of this institution mandates that we embrace diversity, inclusion, and unity. Racism cannot be fought with more racism.”
After suspending Durden from the Newark school for six days, the school's board decided to terminate her employment.
“The college affirms its right to select employees who represent the institution appropriately and are aligned with our mission,” Munroe noted, while adding that it “supports and affirms the right of free speech and independent views and expressions of those views for our faculty and staff.”
Of course, Durden is upset by the school’s decision. “They did this to humiliate me,” she said. “Essex County College publicly lynched me in front of my students.”
Similar to her advocacy for the safe space of the Memorial Day celebration, Durden believes she should be able to feel safe at her place of employment. ‘It should be a safe place for me,” Durden said in an NJ.com interview. “I thought when I came home from war, I would be safe.” Instead, “I was fired.”
Here's hoping she finds a position at a school that truly respects her cultural identity and right to celebrate it.
