Michigan Technological University professor Carl Blair’s recent suspension is unjust. MTU claims that they “strive to create and sustain an inclusive and respectful atmosphere” on campus. However, this claim has been proven to be far from the truth by the recent actions of the MTU chapter of the Young Americans for Freedom, and MTU administration’s response. When professor Carl Blair discussed his opinions on the disrespectful and deeply hateful actions of the YAF during one of his lectures, he was shortly thereafter ejected from his teaching position at MTU. Additionally, MTU administration refuses to take any action against the instigating members of the YAF, and seems to be playing clear favorites.

Leaving things as they are sets a dangerous precedent. MTU administration, through both its allowance of the actions of the YAF, and ejection of professor Carl Blair for speaking out, has taken the stance that hate speech is acceptable conduct on campus. For friends, family, and members of historically marginalized and oppressed groups, this growing hatred on campus scares us, and we need to take a stand now to show MTU that this kind of behavior is not acceptable in a modern educational institution.