Barry Spurr is a professor in the University of Sydney in Australia. This man who helped write the Australian school curriculum was caught using highly derogatory terms to describe Aboriginal people, Muslims, women and Nelson Mandela. He was suspended for his sexist and racist language after his bizarre series of emails were shown publicly. He called Nelson Mandela a "darky", Tony Abbott an "Abo-lover" and referred to Aboriginal people as "human rubbish tips".
My question is, Do you think that suspension fit the crime of degrading certain groups of people? Or do you think that this was blown out of proportion and shouldn't have been taken seriously? Furthermore, Do you think a man like this should be teaching in Universities? Does his personal views effected his teachings and professionalism?
Although he's educated, he should not be permitted to use racially, and sexually, derogatory terms. He's a college professor, so he should be following the same rules that are expected of other professors. He's allowed to have his own opinion so I do not think it affects teaching and professionalism of other college professors.
I believe that suspension was proper punishment for his unprofessional racism and bias. Considering that he's a college professor, he should be teaching without imposing his personal views onto his students since it will create a false image of the school curriculum. It is unethical to be derogatory and sexist toward students, peers, and groups of people, so i do not believe he should teach at a university if he keeps his inappropriate behavior.
I really think what it comes down to is the situation in which these emails were sent. (Who received them, why did he send them?) Every man is entitled to his own opinion. I don't believe he should be punished for his opinions. If he however was teaching such views in his class, then punishment should be taken. I don't believe his suspension is necessary if these emails were private.
I definitely think that he should have been suspended for his racism. Someone like this should not be teaching in schools because the teachers have a big influence on their students.
I think more important than having him punished for his racist and disgusting views, his influence over the Australian curriculum should be reviewed and any racist tones found within the curriculum should be removed. He should be fired an unable to teach and spread his ignorance. Also, the world needs to stand up for the rights of Aboriginal Australian's they have been oppressed for far too long.
I really think what it comes down to is the situation in which these emails were sent. (Who received them, why did he send them?) Every man is entitled to his own opinion. I don't believe he should be punished for his opinions. If he however was teaching such views in his class, then punishment should be taken. I don't believe his suspension is necessary if these emails were private.
I need to add on to my earlier statement: I do agree with many of you that his teaching position needs to be revoked. Such radical, and might I add wrong, views and ideas should not be distributed to the education of youth in this way. I find it very important to explain to youth, however, his views and why they are wrong. Don't let history repeat itself. :)
I believe that it would't be totally wrong for him be fired on the grounds of making hate-filled remarks about them. However if there is convincing evidence that he never makes the racial/hateful remarks in public or to his students then there could be grounds to keep his job with some other punishment. It is important that such scandals stay as politically neutral as possible to ensure fair justice. I only believe that for the sake of principal, if that makes any sense. Feel free to ask me to clarify.
I personally do not agree with the views and actions of the professor, but unfortunately he has a right to them. The professor should be fired however, in my opinion. Even if he may not be teaching and pressing his views onto the students as far as we know, he could eventually start bringing them up in discussion which is not a good thing. In addition, many students who attend the University he teaches at are wishing for him to be fired because they do not agree with his statements.
I think a suspension is an adequate punishment for the rude and sexist emails this professor was sending. The fact that he is a professor for a university should make it an even bigger deal. Although most college professors are very opinionated, they shouldn't be allowed to make racist or sexual comments and I definitely believe this affects a person's teachings.
because of his education and position what he says and acts on is spread to a wider and more impressionable audience, and because of this the suspension was the right course of action. College professor or people of his type of education van be very opinionated and have many views but they should not be shared with the youth or his students. a more severe type of punishment could be in order.
As unfortunate as it is, suspension is really the best punishment they can give the professor. Racist comments cannot equal anything more that that, so I think suspension is the best they can do. I think this is good because it is showing racist views are not tolerated and is showing the world as a whole is becoming more accepting. Society is making progress! I think from suspension they should sac the professor and ensure he doesn't teach anymore. Those most definitely are his views and he is just trying to cover them up by saying it was a contest with his friend. Contests with friends shouldn't put down other people. The best way to remove racism from the world is remove the ignorant people in power who exhibit those views. Only then can the world really change. So, I feel that the professor being fired is the right course of action.
I don't like that, what I'm assuming were private emails, were shown to the public. It seems like an invasion of privacy which I think should be the bigger issue.
