How horrible that the U of M treated Professor Peterson this way. The hypocrisy is unreal. After he had acknowledged and respected many groups. I echo your sentiments, Qasim that it is unbelievable how these battles are being fought in academia. Academia must be a place for freedom to express different points of view. It must be a place that is thriving with a diversity of ideas. And it must be a place to support human rights for ALL people.
Thank you for sharing Professor Derek Peterson’s commencement speech at U. of M. I applaud his leadership as a historian and scholar for enlightening the students, as well as, their family/friends to the struggles of minorities across the ages at U. of M.. Diversity, equality and inclusion is a hallmark feature at the university educational level. Learning to understand another’s perspective and lived experience allows for growth and understanding of someone ‘different’ than you. There is no positive way to spin practices that bolster inequality, exclusion. And, as far as diversity, well, that’s real life!
Listening to Professor Peterson's speech brought many tears to my eyes. The University of Michigan had a wonderful history of bringing people into its circle. Congratulations to Professor Peterson for his great speech. And shame on the university for what they did.
When I was young, I lived in Salt Lake City and could not get a scholarship to go to the University of Utah. I was not Mormon, my family was Croatian, and belonged to the Orthodox Church. My uncle, four years older than me, got a full scholarship because he was a top-notch male athlete. To get a scholarship, you had to be Mormon or an athlete. I did my first demonstrations on the corner in front of the Mormon Church. Then I came to California where I could afford to go to college, where I attended many demonstrations and still do, and where I earned my PhD.
And to Qasim Rashid, thank you for again bringing forward something important for us to know.
I owe my life to a University of Michigan graduate who became the top gyno-oncological surgeon and did her medical training at University of Michigan as well. She has trained many others who save women's lives.
That’s a legacy of a great educational institution.
You have allowed the University to besmirch that legacy by taking down Professor Peterson’s commencement speech from the university website.
The University’s apology was unwarranted, tone deaf to the realities of the world today both human and political.
You must ameliorate the damage done by having that apology retracted and standing up for all the communities the University serves. The University must issue an apology to Professor Peterson.
Finally, you must acknowledge that freedom of speech is a hallmark of a great institution. I am 82 years old. I lived through the Free Speech movement at the University of California. Censorship must not be your legacy.
I have sent all of my emails. What I appreciate most about your Substack, Qasim, is that you give your readers easy assignments to help make our voices heard. If our outrage isn’t expressed to the appropriate people, we achieve little in the way of results. Thank you for helping us do our part.
Under capitalism, universities are just banks that offer degrees. Between the commodification of athletes, the insane tuition costs, and the not so secret agendas of administrations like this, I am afraid we are seeing the beginning of the end of this 1000 year old tradition.
How horrible that the U of M treated Professor Peterson this way. The hypocrisy is unreal. After he had acknowledged and respected many groups. I echo your sentiments, Qasim that it is unbelievable how these battles are being fought in academia. Academia must be a place for freedom to express different points of view. It must be a place that is thriving with a diversity of ideas. And it must be a place to support human rights for ALL people.
This is bizarre and concerning. Whew.
Thank you for sharing Professor Derek Peterson’s commencement speech at U. of M. I applaud his leadership as a historian and scholar for enlightening the students, as well as, their family/friends to the struggles of minorities across the ages at U. of M.. Diversity, equality and inclusion is a hallmark feature at the university educational level. Learning to understand another’s perspective and lived experience allows for growth and understanding of someone ‘different’ than you. There is no positive way to spin practices that bolster inequality, exclusion. And, as far as diversity, well, that’s real life!
I'm not a Michigan alum, but it's disgusting what they did to the professor. Emails have been sent to all.
Deplorable and a bit terrifying. We've already lost the First Amendment.
Listening to Professor Peterson's speech brought many tears to my eyes. The University of Michigan had a wonderful history of bringing people into its circle. Congratulations to Professor Peterson for his great speech. And shame on the university for what they did.
When I was young, I lived in Salt Lake City and could not get a scholarship to go to the University of Utah. I was not Mormon, my family was Croatian, and belonged to the Orthodox Church. My uncle, four years older than me, got a full scholarship because he was a top-notch male athlete. To get a scholarship, you had to be Mormon or an athlete. I did my first demonstrations on the corner in front of the Mormon Church. Then I came to California where I could afford to go to college, where I attended many demonstrations and still do, and where I earned my PhD.
And to Qasim Rashid, thank you for again bringing forward something important for us to know.
Go Blue? Pathetic and sad time for our nation.
As a U of Michigan alum, I am deeply distressed by the actions of the administration. Thank you for providing all the emails.
Thank you for emailing them. I know emails from alumns will have an added strength.
Done: this is what I sent:
I owe my life to a University of Michigan graduate who became the top gyno-oncological surgeon and did her medical training at University of Michigan as well. She has trained many others who save women's lives.
That’s a legacy of a great educational institution.
You have allowed the University to besmirch that legacy by taking down Professor Peterson’s commencement speech from the university website.
The University’s apology was unwarranted, tone deaf to the realities of the world today both human and political.
You must ameliorate the damage done by having that apology retracted and standing up for all the communities the University serves. The University must issue an apology to Professor Peterson.
Finally, you must acknowledge that freedom of speech is a hallmark of a great institution. I am 82 years old. I lived through the Free Speech movement at the University of California. Censorship must not be your legacy.
Wonderful. Thank you for raising your voice, Gerri.
I have sent all of my emails. What I appreciate most about your Substack, Qasim, is that you give your readers easy assignments to help make our voices heard. If our outrage isn’t expressed to the appropriate people, we achieve little in the way of results. Thank you for helping us do our part.
Honored and grateful to have your trust and your activism!
Filthy lucre is involved. Always
Under capitalism, universities are just banks that offer degrees. Between the commodification of athletes, the insane tuition costs, and the not so secret agendas of administrations like this, I am afraid we are seeing the beginning of the end of this 1000 year old tradition.
I didn't have to get far into this to be left utterly dumbfounded, distressed, and dystopic...
It truly is mind boggling that we have to fight these battles today in academia no less.