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Students claim comments ‘affected their mental health’; petition demands his dismissal

A music professor canceled for daring to criticize his school’s inclusivity measures and critical race theory filed suit against his school … and plans to file another one.

Martin Speake, a U.K. “composer, saxophonist, academic and educator” specializing in jazz, early last year had responded to a request for feedback regarding Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance‘s “BLM/anti-racist policies and initiatives.”

Speake (pictured) noted in his email response “that there is no systemic racial inequality in the UK jazz scene,” and that critical race theory is “divisive and dangerous.”

He concluded with Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote about judging people “by the content of their character,” not their skin color.

Here’s what followed, according to the professor:

Some time later I forwarded this email to a student with whom I had had a stimulating conversation on the topic earlier that day. This student showed the email to some peers, but didn’t forward it to anyone. Nevertheless, as some students heard about it, the email began to attract some discontent and speculation within the student body. TL [Trinity Laban] then halted my teaching and pressured me to consent to the circulation of my email to the entire jazz department.

Speake claims Trinity Laban “threatened disciplinary action” against him, that students boycotted his classes, and that the London Jazz Orchestra (for whom he was lead alto saxophonist for 15 years) requested he take a leave of absence.

According to Slipped Disc, some Trinity Laban students even claimed Speake’s email “affected their mental health.”

A Change.org petition created by “Distressed Student” notes he/she was “deeply affected” by Speake’s message that “perpetuated harmful and defamatory narratives about black musicians in the jazz industry.”

MORE: Music prof: Quincy Jones’ ‘absence’ from music education proves racism

The petition alleges Speake had a “lack of sensitivity” and “created an uncomfortable and distressing learning environment.” It further demands he be relieved of his position as “his conduct and beliefs are inconsistent with the values and principles” of Trinity Laban.

A counter petition in support of Speake also popped up, and states in part “If you know Martin Speake, you will know that, despite his outspoken and sometimes eccentric beliefs, Martin is not racist in any way. Moreover, no person should be hounded out of forty five year career for expressing their honest opinion in private.”

Indeed, in Speake’s own plea he notes he was arrested almost 50 years ago for protesting the far-right National Front, and was an organizer of Long Tones for Peace, which seeks the “peaceful co-existence of all people worldwide.”

Most recently, Slipped Disc reported that Speake’s scheduled performances were all canceled, the release of his latest album “halted,” and that bands won’t play his compositions.

“With a very heavy heart I had no choice but to resign from my post with [Trinity Laban] in November 2024 as my working environment had become unbearable,” Speake said.

Speake already filed a complaint against Trinity Laban for “discrimination and harassment,” and plans to file a constructive dismissal suit.

“Essentially, [Trinity Laban] forced me to resign by virtue of its conduct towards me, which, I believe, constitutes a serious breach of contract.”

MORE: Music educator: Teaching Beethoven over Kendrick Lamar is white supremacy

IMAGE: Crowd Justice

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