Mar 18, 2017
Last episode, Ken's 10th annual "Year in Review" continued with a look at some of the bigger PR headaches afflicting North American colleges and universities, with a focus on cultural insensitivity and its consequences. (Think Mount St Mary's, Missouri, Yale, Ithaca, and Harvard.) Check out Part I: Budgets & Bunnies at: https://youtu.be/1fnN8QOFrWs
This week, he profiles 2 major PR migraines in more detail, which occurred at UBC and the University of Toronto. Both attracted international media attention, hundreds of articles and blogs, millions of views and outrage on both sides.
At the University of Toronto, Psychology prof Jordan Peterson ignited a firestorm by insisting that, should a gender non-binary student ever ask him to use non-standard pronouns like "ze" or "zir" or even singular "they," he would refuse. He went on to repeat himself ever more loudly, aggressively, and insistently. Opponents called him transphobic and insensitive to human dignity. He called them biology-deniers and left-wing social justice warriors. The debate continues well into 2017.
Video clips:
Jordan Peterson on why pronouns aren’t about respect. Davie
Addison. https://youtu.be/EXvU8DEbyAw
Jordan Peterson speaks at University of Toronto protest.
Genuinewitty https://youtu.be/HAlPjMiaKdw
Genders, Rights and Freedom of Speech. TVO’s Agenda with Steve
Paikin. https://youtu.be/kasiov0ytEc
University of Toronto Free Speech Debate. Jordan B Peterson.
https://youtu.be/68NHUV5me7Q
At UBC, the Galloway Affair was unquestionably the heavyweight
champion headache of the year. It started in November 2015, when
the university temporarily suspended the head of its creative
writing department, bestselling novelist Steven Galloway. The
official announcement of “serious allegations” made thinly-veiled
references to campus “safety,” and advised “counseling” for anyone
affected. Throughout 2016 there were media exposés, and the rumour
mill generated tales of bullying, sexual harassment, threats, and
more. UBC appointed a former BC Supreme Court Justice to lead an
impartial investigation. After 5 months, her report dismissed all
but one complaint against Galloway, but still resulted in his
termination for a “record of misconduct that resulted in an
irreparable breach of trust.” Major donors withheld funds, renowned
authors like Margaret Atwood and Michael Ondaatje called for
another investigation, and witnesses for the complainant objected
that the process had been unfair. A grievance from the UBC Faculty
Association is heading into arbitration shortly.
Video clip:
http://globalnews.ca/video/2351577/ubc-creative-writing-program-head-suspended
Watch the video for all the details! More great content is coming
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