Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
UT administrator fired for speaking out
frodus
Member Posts: 2,396
Friday, May 09, 2008 ....
WTVG -- Crystal Dixon just received verbal notification from UT that she has been fired for speaking her opinion in a copy of the Toledo Free Press.
A high-ranking University of Toledo administrator has been fired for speaking out. UT's associate vice president of human resources was put on paid administrative leave about 2 weeks ago after writing an opinion column in the Toledo Free Press.
Crystal Dixon just received verbal notification from the University of Toledo that she has been fired. It's all for speaking her opinion in a copy of the Toledo Free Press.
Doug Oliver has been teaching for 23 years. Now, for the first time, he says he's afraid to speak out. "All I know is what Dr. Jacobs wrote, and what he wrote sends a very clear message to me that I better be careful about what I say that doesn't align with political views."
University president Lloyd Jacobs expressed his views in an article in the Toledo Free Press. His column followed one written by the University's associate vice president of human resources, Crystal Dixon. Dixon ignited a debate about whether discrimination against gays is different from other forms of discrimination, including race.
In her April 18th column Dixon wrote: "as a black woman... I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual life style are 'civil rights victims'. Here's why i cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a black woman."
"I disagree with a number of those view points and I stated at least on the face of it. They aren't consistent with University stated values," says UT president Dr. Lloyd Jacobs.
Meanwhile, Dixon is out of a job and some faculty members, like Oliver, say it's just because she voiced her opinion. Late this afternoon 13abc spoke with Crystal Dixon. She says her termination is clearly a violation of her 1st amendment right for free speech, religious discrimination, and race discrimination. Now she is pointing the finger at University leadership. "I am an alumnus. I have worked with a fantastic team. I absolutely love the people I work with and I am disappointed in this and disappointed absolutely. Is this a lack of courageous leadership on the part of the university, absolutely," says Dixon
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=6133465 VIDEO
As the world turns
Trade in material assumptions for spiritual facts and make permanent progress.
Comments
After reading that comment, I find it nearly impossible to feel sorry for her. She got what she deserved.
Almost any firing from a university is automatic controversy.
If A secretary of health working for the government said that would there be an issue????????
98% of the teenage population does or has tried smoking pot. If you''re one of the 2% who hasn''t, copy & paste this in your signature.
Yeah, I'd have to say that her blatant ignorance would lead her to be upset about such a firing. Seriously, how could an "educated" black woman make such a comment about discrimination?
The comment by that other teacher bothers me also. Is there an abundance of ignorance at University of Toledo?
Proof positive that if you disagree with the Liberal Academie and your job depends on it you'd better keep your mouth shut.
"Free speech, but only if you agree with me."
This is one of the most poorly written articles I've ever read. The journalist in question should be terminated for such poor use of prose. On the actual issue, I'm unclear on why her views merited her termination. If her class was way behind and so forth, termination would be warranted but this doesn't constitute such a failing.
If you are not being responded to directly, you are probably on my ignore list.
Im not sure if I understand what shea meant. Did she say homosexuals can wake up in the morning and choose not to be gay? And that black people can't? What is she trying to say?
I guess I dont know what she means by gays are civil rights victims?
oops sorry.
thought this thread was about Unreal Tournament.
2cents-
academia trips over its hypocrisy, daily. dont question its authority.
she however, has the deck stacked. woman, black, fired, media attention(?). she'll be back on the payroll, stat.
chips, dips chains & whips.
deep down this is a case of political correctness gone amuck.
maybe not that deep down, tip of the surface.these libs honestly are trying to give people their opinions.
I smash his head and tell him you buy this car
chips, dips chains & whips.
Funny thing is, civil rights is more than just "black people are equal", which though she didn't say that, is exactly the impression she gives. Which also happens to be a common misconception by many people of all colors when thinking of civil rights, due to the high profile "civil rights movement" in the sixties.Civil rights is about all people being equal, and the illegality of discrimination based on multiple points, not only race. Maybe they fired her because she showed a complete lack of the education you would expect from an alumnus of an esteemed college.
"University president Lloyd Jacobs expressed his views in an article in the Toledo Free Press. His column followed one written by the University's associate vice president of human resources, Crystal Dixon. Dixon ignited a debate about whether discrimination against gays is different from other forms of discrimination, including race."
she wrote it in The Toledo Free Press?. i dont know all the facts, none in fact. but i think considering that paragraph above- it has the basis for an opinionated editorial. she could have said it more politically correct- her language was gutter. elitism trickery. i do associate university here in the states to liberal faculty. same as politicians group us into different voting blocks.
chips, dips chains & whips.
Five bucks says that if this happend to an Atheist speaking out against religion that all the people agreeing with the termination of the woman in this situation, would disagree with the "atheist situation".
Point is. She didn't swing with how the school swinged. So she got fired. That's basically it.
Everyone knows schools are liberal. And you'd be damned ignorant if you've gone to a "normal" college and think they don't try to shove liberal rhetoric down your throat.
She was spoutin the wrong rhetoric, so she got noosed. Simple as that.
"Fear not death; for the sooner we die, the longer shall we be immortal."
When i worked for centerlink i was not allowed to use my position at centerlink to discuss any political leanings, this did not mean i couldnt vote for the 'other party' at the election.... only that i could not use my position to influence others as this would have been unfair to her employers.
Also, i dont know any of the facts either... this is why i originally said that more information is needed other than this terribly written article.
I dont know, unconformed, but you seem to want a bit of socialism here and a bit of capitalism there... your not really coming across at the staunch right wing, anti-socialist that you, seem to, try to make out.
im not sure what gave you the impression that you noted at the end. all i can say is my words are who I am. and if this article was an opinionated editorial, this lady must learn to fake being who she is. dissent will not be tolerated.
chips, dips chains & whips.
When i worked for centerlink i was not allowed to use my position at centerlink to discuss any political leanings, this did not mean i couldnt vote for the 'other party' at the election.... only that i could not use my position to influence others as this would have been unfair to her employers.
Also, i dont know any of the facts either... this is why i originally said that more information is needed other than this terribly written article.
I dont know, unconformed, but you seem to want a bit of socialism here and a bit of capitalism there... your not really coming across at the staunch right wing, anti-socialist that you, seem to, try to make out.
im not sure what gave you the impression that you noted at the end. all i can say is my words are who I am. and if this article was an opinionated editorial, this lady must learn to fake being who she is. dissent will not be tolerated.
If an engineer gives their opinion, and as a result of their opinion a bridge collapses. This is the fault of the engineer who should have been more clear that this was a PERSONAL opinion and not an engineering opinion.
As a result of his opinion you bet he would be fired from his engineering firm, not because of some inherit liberalism in the engineering trade but because of the inherit capitalism the exists in western companies... who would want to go to a engineering company that has cause a bridge to fall down.
This same analogy can be drawn for the writer of this article. If this was my business, regardless of the fact of if it is an educational institute or not they still need money to continue at their callibre, you bet she would be fired, not because of liberalism... but because of capitalism and fear of litigation from every single homosexual who was turned down for entry.
Professionals need to be VERY careful with what they say.... especially when they hold positions of power like this lady has. As far as i am concerned the university was well within their rights to fire this woman for her unwarrented and controversial comments.
When i worked for the government... they could not drill it in to our heads enough... YOU MUST BE SEEN TO BE COMPLETELY APOLITICAL !!! Perhaps she should have executed her rights to anonminity and used a pen name or even anonymous. No one seemed too upset about the treatment of Rev Wright regaurding his right to free speech, and barack Obama's right to hear that free speech... even to the extent of saying that people in power shouldnt align them selves with those types... isnt this esentially the same thing ?
That's a terrible analogy...did this woman make a bridge fall down? Of course not, she was just stating her opinion. Last I checked, the Freedom of Speech was still guaranteed by the constitution, even for public employees. and "turned down for entry"? give me a break. There is little to no chance this woman dealt with admissions, and even if she did someone would have to PROVE that they were denied entry because of their sexual orientation.the article does read poorly. was she fired from her job as vice principle HR at UT because she wrote an OP-ED to this newspaper that wasnt recieved well by faculty at UT?
i dont think i place a university and a fortune 500 company responsible for millions of peoples dollars on the same pedestals. very high pedestals, but different.
i thought it was college that people learned to dissent-introduce new opinions, viewpoints.
i dont think she was politically correct enough in her opinion. too much gutter speak, higher ups found to be embarrassing.
chips, dips chains & whips.
People seem to think they can claim freedom of speech to be free of any consequences. That isn't the case. The school can not stop her from stating her opinion. But if her opinions go against the teachings of the school and the policies of the school then they are within their rights to terminate the professional relationship.
Stopping her from writing the piece would be denying her first amendment rights.
The school has the choice to decide whether they want to keep her.
Currently playing:
LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too:
Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
What's wrong with speaking out on religion? It should be spoken out against. It is an evil, dumbing nuisance that has no place in society. There is no reason to give religion special protection. If you want to believe in something ridiculous, fine, but don't expect special treatment for any superstitious thing you might believe. And if places of learning do not want to be associated with such ridiculous views, good for them.
That said, as an Atheist, I can say her article is certainly worthy of criticism for its blatant kowtowing to god. It just stinks of a mind kicked into neutral gear and coasting. The bible says... the bible says... the bible says... BRAWK! THE BIBLE SAYS!!
As to why she would be fired... she does mention the university in which she works at, in conjunction with future plans by the university, and in no way separates her opinion from said university. That's a big no no. I would never mention an employer or client without making it abundantly clear that the opinions expressed are in no way affiliated with them. Better yet, leave them out completely.
She was fired and it was the right thing to do. If you want to spout religious nut-jobbery and discriminate against gays, then leave out those who sign your paychecks. I believe a job with the church is a more suitable place of employment for her anyway. Of course, she is a woman, so she won't be allowed to preach in the majority of them. Shame.
Oh well, lesson learned. Maybe she should take her own advice when she wrote, "At the same time, one's personal choices lead to outcomes either positive or negative." Ya think?
- LC
I think that woman deserves a slap. Quite a few actually. If she was part of the psychology department, or political science department, where prospective donars or students will look at the faculty for the quality of the professors, having something like this on a professor can be a really large black mark for the univeristy.
If for example she was a PHD is chemistry, nobody cares what they have to say anyways :P
after 6 or so years, I had to change it a little...