Dear President Clements,
We the undersigned find the recent political statements made by Bart Knijnenburg unacceptable and not within the character of a Clemson University professor. While he and everyone else are entitled to their opinion, to be so bold as to share on social media that ALL Republicans are racist scum and to fight white supremacy through any means possible is insidious speech that should not be tolerated. This militant mindset is not the example that should be shown to colleagues for sure. More importantly, it is paramount for the impressionable young adults at Clemson to be able to raise objection or different view to any opinion put before them. His steadfastness over his rightness, and in turn outright hatefulness while seeming to oppose hatefulness, portrays a dangerous environment that hinders education. Clemson University shouldn't be giving him a platform.
Updates
August 28, 2017
The reception of this petition demonstrates a profound consensus regarding the standards expected of university faculty. This growing momentum reinforces the necessity of bringing these concerns directly to the attention of President Clements.
Reached 100 supporters
August 28, 2017
75 Comments
If this teacher had said anything disparaging against African Americans, he would've been fired in an instant. Why is he still here calling half the country racist and encouraging violence? I will stop all funding to Clemson until he is fired.
The hypocrisy is astounding. CU students hang bananas as a joke and CU hires a diversity administrator in response. Students hold demonstrations at Sikes Hall and administrators fall over themselves to apologize to 'offended' students. Professor posts vile and inflammatory political statements that encourage violence and the administration is silent.
I understand free speech but he is speaking as a Clemson employee. His views become representative of the university when he expresses them publicly to students. As a proud Clemson alumni, I am appalled this type of dangerous rhetoric would be tolerated, regardless of which side of the political spectrum is targeted.
Not appropriate for this trusted professor of such a prestigious college to ridicule students, community, and parents who pay tuition to Clemson or to those of us that cherish. This is discrimination and who can trust he could be fair and non-judgmental with student grades??
I spent 4 years at Clemson, graduated and about to send my son to follow the tradition. Please fire this guy asap, this is not freedom of speech, this is hate speech. Clemson is a great Place and should have zero tolerance for this type of language.
Fire this violent person today.
Call of 98. Terrible this was allowed by the school.
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Dear President Clements,
We the undersigned find the recent political statements made by Bart Knijnenburg unacceptable and not within the character of a Clemson University professor. While he and everyone else are entitled to their opinion, to be so bold as to share on social media that ALL Republicans are racist scum and to fight white supremacy through any means possible is insidious speech that should not be tolerated. This militant mindset is not the example that should be shown to colleagues for sure. More importantly, it is paramount for the impressionable young adults at Clemson to be able to raise objection or different view to any opinion put before them. His steadfastness over his rightness, and in turn outright hatefulness while seeming to oppose hatefulness, portrays a dangerous environment that hinders education. Clemson University shouldn't be giving him a platform.
Updates
August 28, 2017
The reception of this petition demonstrates a profound consensus regarding the standards expected of university faculty. This growing momentum reinforces the necessity of bringing these concerns directly to the attention of President Clements.
Reached 100 supporters
August 28, 2017
75 Comments
As a Clemson alum, who donates a lot of money to Clemson athletics, and comes from several generations of Tigers as well, I am embarrassed of our beloved university for the first time in my life. Not only am I embarrassed, but I fear for the safety of our students and staff. We need for our minds to be at ease.
If this teacher had said anything disparaging against African Americans, he would've been fired in an instant. Why is he still here calling half the country racist and encouraging violence? I will stop all funding to Clemson until he is fired.
The hypocrisy is astounding. CU students hang bananas as a joke and CU hires a diversity administrator in response. Students hold demonstrations at Sikes Hall and administrators fall over themselves to apologize to 'offended' students. Professor posts vile and inflammatory political statements that encourage violence and the administration is silent.
I understand free speech but he is speaking as a Clemson employee. His views become representative of the university when he expresses them publicly to students. As a proud Clemson alumni, I am appalled this type of dangerous rhetoric would be tolerated, regardless of which side of the political spectrum is targeted.
Not appropriate for this trusted professor of such a prestigious college to ridicule students, community, and parents who pay tuition to Clemson or to those of us that cherish. This is discrimination and who can trust he could be fair and non-judgmental with student grades??
I spent 4 years at Clemson, graduated and about to send my son to follow the tradition. Please fire this guy asap, this is not freedom of speech, this is hate speech. Clemson is a great Place and should have zero tolerance for this type of language.
Fire this violent person today.
Call of 98. Terrible this was allowed by the school.
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As a Clemson alum, who donates a lot of money to Clemson athletics, and comes from several generations of Tigers as well, I am embarrassed of our beloved university for the first time in my life. Not only am I embarrassed, but I fear for the safety of our students and staff. We need for our minds to be at ease.