Spectator article on hounding of academics

[BovaryX]

Spectator article about the hounding and harassment of academics who don't submit to the new orthodoxy. The failure of the university authorities to defend critical thinking and freedom of speech in the very institutions where they should be core values? It's shameful. The Conservatives promised to do something about the cancel culture in universities. When do they plan to act?

How did we get here? How did we find ourselves in a situation where academics need bodyguards for expressing the wrong kinds of views? Trans activists and their allies have become increasingly intolerant of late. But the more immediate problem is that they’re pushing at an open door. University authorities appear cowardly and defensive in the face of such threats, terrified of appearing ‘transphobic’, while these academics’ colleagues either join in the witch-hunt or keep their heads down

blogs.spectator.co.uk/2020/01/the-trans-sceptic-academic-who-now-needs-bodyguards-for-protection/

I think what most boggles me is people suddenly being hounded for holding the same views they held yesterday, last year, the views that most people have held throughout history. The same views that are still held up and by the law, by patriarchy, religions, and most organised groups; because it is based in reality.
This is very recent, and its only a few people who are at risk.

There are plenty of people who still hold these views who are not being hounded at all. They are never challenged. No one tells them to check their privilege or go educate themselves.

Tom Slate taking up the baton from James Kirkup

“Trans activists and their allies have become increasingly intolerant of late. But the more immediate problem is that they’re pushing at an open door. University authorities appear cowardly and defensive in the face of such threats, terrified of appearing ‘transphobic’, while these academics’ colleagues either join in the witch-hunt or keep their heads down.”

Tom Slater not Slate..... gah

I think what most boggles me is people suddenly being hounded for holding the same views they held yesterday, last year, the views that most people have held throughout history

Absolutely. Douglas Murray keeps making this point, the sudden expectation that everyone should forget what they knew yesterday and submit to the bizarre linguistic dictates of an incoherent ideology. As you point out, it's not everyone who is hounded relentlessly. Women are specifically targeted. It is shocking how misogynistic bullying and stalking is tolerated in academia, with the enthusiastic support of people who self identify as progressive

good article

god, i sympathise so much with selina todd. she gave an amazing speech at the women's place meeting i went to. any student would be lucky to be taught by such an enthusiastic, informed, erudite woman. but no, instead these twerps choose to intimidate her

As you point out, it's not everyone who is hounded relentlessly. Women are specifically targeted

Are there any examples of male academics being harassed and threatened for having GC views?

Women are specifically targeted

Are there any examples of male academics being harassed and threatened for having GC views?

Good point! Has Michael Biggs, also at Oxford, required bodyguards to date? Rather than study women’s history, he has outright criticized the evidence (or lack thereof) supporting current pediatric medical transition practices.

BBC article on Selina Todd:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-51248684

Still baffled as to why the University doesn't vigorously locate, deal with and if necessary exclude those creating an unsafe environment for their staff, and make very clear to their students that this behaviour will lead to serious consequences.

Like most work places make clear to their clients, with clear threats about removal and police action if necessary.

I find this very strange. I work with a very troubled and vulnerable group of service users who are sometimes abusive and occasionally violent or threatening . Management do not hesitate to call the police who remove them. The police quite often charged them and Some of us called to court as a witness in a criminal case.

Other agencies we work with have similar policies and procedures and get the same action from the police and the courts.

I wonder why there’s such a difference in the treatment of both perpetrators and victims here compared to at my work.

SHARON:

Yes, that's an interesting point. I volunteer in a similar kind of scenario, the people who are served are very vulnerable, but some are also unstable. But being a threat to workers and volunteers is not allowed.

Are there any examples of male academics being harassed and threatened for having GC views?

Yes. There are a few in the UK and at least one in the USA who was sacked recently - none that I know of have needed bodyguards though! The level of violence and threats against women seems more extreme than against men.

A male academic I know didn't have his contract renewed due to saying in a public place he didn't agree with gender ideology. He wasn't harassed as such, but some students along with a journalism professor took their complaint up to the highest level of the university and more or less threatened to go to the media. This was after the actual supervisor involved had dismissed their complaint. It was all done very secretively too.