Word: racially
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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Thernstrom's insensitivity does not really involve freedom of speech. It lies with his delivery and approach of the material. As long as he has the right to speak his mind, we have the right to criticize, particularly in racial issues where some ignorance of minority life may be the root of controversy. But if freedom of speech is Thernstrom's defense (letter to the editors, February 10, 1988), that, too, can be questioned...
...silenced or censored him. But often, when questions are raised about a professor's handling of racial issues, he screams "academic freedom!" or "free speech!" This case is no exception. But academic freedom is a complex issue. Academic freedom is not truly equal, nor is freedom of speech, when the majority's freedom of expression is greater than that of the minority. Whites control the American power structure, thus, they can listen to discussions on apartheid or race relations without feeling threatened. But in similar discussions, Blacks cannot divorce their personal lives from politics or racial theory, because racist sentiment...
BUTTING HEADS Last week, students in Professor Stephan Thernstrom's Core class, Historical Studies A-25, "The Peopling of America," said the professor displayed racial insensitivity in the course. Two students who took the course discuss the complaint...
...charge of racial insensitivity that students have leveled against Winthrop Professor of History Stephan Thernstrom is an unfortunate misinterpretation of his attitude toward race and ethnicity. But on the surface, criticisms of his treatment of racial issues in Historical Studies A-25 seem legitimate...
...possible that Thernstrom's attitude may have seemed careless at times, or condescending. However, his intent is what must be considered. His presentation of the material was fair and at no time favored one racial or ethnic group over another. One must act on the assumption that any apparent condescension was due to thoughtlessness or to the inherent awkwardness of the material itself...