“Essex County College publicly lynched me in front of my students.”
A professor at a New Jersey college has been suspended after (and, she argues, for) making a controversial appearance on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News television show.
Essex County College adjunct professor Lisa Durden claims that the college dismissed her after she made an outspoken appearance on Tucker Carlson Tonight in support of a Black Lives Matter event, according to NJ.com.
Durden appeared on the show to discuss a BLM event that was limited strictly to black people only. Responding to Tucker Carlson’s concern that the blacks-only event “[singled] people out on the basis of their race,” Durden responded: “[B]oo hoo hoo, you white people are angry because you couldn’t use your white privilege card to get invited to the Black Lives Matters [sic] all black Memorial Day celebration.”
Carlson asked Durden repeatedly why Black Lives Matter was “excluding others on the basis of their race;” Durden repeatedly dodged the question, claiming that white people “have been having white days forever.”
Two days later, Durden showed up at Essex County College to teach her summer class, at which point she was “abruptly suspended” with her classes cancelled.
“Essex County College publicly lynched me in front of my students,” Durden claimed.
Durden was given a letter, signed by Jeffrey Lee, vice president for academic affairs, informing her that she was suspended “until further notice.” She had to turn over her grade book to Christopher Rivera, chairperson of the Humanities Division.
The letter does not mention the Tucker Carlson show, but Durden said administration officials made a point of bringing it up that day. In a meeting with Lee and Karen Bridgett, assistant director of Human Resources, Durden said Bridgett told her someone “complained” that she associated herself to the college during the television show appearance.
Not true, and Durden proved it.
Look at the six-minute clip. It’s on the internet. Google Lisa Durden and Tucker Carlson. Next to her name, it says political commentator. During the contentious discussion with Carlson, Durden never identified herself as a professor at the college. Durden said she was representing herself while arguing that Black Lives Matter had a right to have a Memorial Day celebration in a safe space for black people at a time when there’s a rise in white nationalism and racism.
Considering her explanation, Durden, and many who support her, want to know what she did wrong. Durden said Bridgett told her the matter is being investigated.
“There’s got to be some other agenda,” said Leslie Farber, her attorney. “It seems to me they’re going to make up some reason. We’ve got to figure out what that is and why. Is she too outspoken?”
A representative of Essex County College claimed of the dismissal: “The college promotes a community of unity that is inclusive of all. The general counsel has handled this matter in a way that complies with New Jersey state law.”
(h/t The Daily Caller.)
MORE: Teachers group bringing ‘Black Lives Matter Week of Action’ to Philadelphia schools
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