A University of Virginia professor has gone on leave after fielding uproar for saying on Twitter that Black Lives Matter is the “biggest” racist organization since the KKK, The Washington Post reports.
“The comment was written last week in response to a Facebook post about a Black Lives Matter event in Charlottesville,” the Post reports. “University officials later issued statements denouncing the comments and distancing themselves from [Professor Douglas] Muir. The professor has since taken leave, according to the university.”
The scholar’s Twitter account now appears to have been deleted, but a Google search footprint of it shows Muir described himself as a speaker, investor and “entrepreneur executive lecturer at UVa.”
A screenshot of Muir’s tweet reprinted by the Post stated: “Black lives matter is the biggest rasist (sic) organisation (sic) since the clan (sic). Are you kidding me. Disgusting!!!”
University of Virginia officials have put out a statement on the matter. Published by a CBS affiliate, which notes Muir is associated with both the School of Engineering and the Darden School of Business at UVA, it reads in part:
A recent comment regarding the Black Lives Matter movement, posted on social media by Doug Muir, a lecturer in our School, has raised serious concerns about UVA Engineering’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and support of populations that are traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
While free speech and open discussion are fundamental principles of our nation and the University, Mr. Muir’s comment was entirely inappropriate. UVA Engineering does not condone actions that undermine our values, dedication to diversity and educational mission. Our faculty and staff are responsible for upholding our values and demonstrating them to students and the community. Mr. Muir has agreed to take leave and is preparing his own statement to the community.
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