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To what extent expressing your ideology or some thoughts on social media about a given topic can affect your daily life? Quite a lot, or at least if you want to become a teacher in New York, where a student was suspended for saying “A man is a man, a woman is a woman” and expressing his conservative ideology and some biological facts on social networks.
“State University of New York (SUNY) Geneseo sent an email to education student Owen Stevens suspending him from its field-teaching programs after fellow students discovered videos in which he preached conservative dogma,” the Daily Wire reported.”
The school claims Stevens’ videos “call into question” his ability to “maintain a classroom environment protecting the mental and emotional well-being of all [his] students.”
The Daily Wire obtained a copy of the suspension letter sent to Stevens, which says that the student “will remain suspended from participating in field experiences at the school and courses that have field experiences until he completes a “remediation plan.”
This “remediation” plan would force Stevens to complete a series of requirements if the student wishes to continue participation in the mandatory instructional programs, including removing all of his conservative-leaning Instagram videos.
Stevens told the Daily Wire that he will not accept the sanctions and called it a “re-education” of his conservative principles.
The dean of his university school addressed the student via email, suggesting Stevens’ behavior was not in sync with what is intended by the school’s “Conceptual Framework of the School of Education.”
“After review of all available materials, I find that, based on your continued public stance and social media presence, you do not consistently demonstrate behaviors required by the Conceptual Framework of the School of Education.”
Can you still be a teacher and hold conservative principles?
For the dean of the school of education, as it seems, you cannot be a teacher and still hold conservative values.
According to the Daily Wire, the university argued that Stevens violated one of the study house’s doctrines of inclusivity, which is the Dignity for All Students Act, which urges professors to foster “a diverse campus community marked by mutual respect for the unique talents and contributions of each individual.”
The student said, in some of the videos on Instagram that prompted his suspension, that “A man is a man, a woman is a woman. A man is not a woman and a woman is not a man.”
As a result, the dean of the education faculty replied to Stevens as follows:
“You continue to maintain, ‘I do not recognize the gender that they claim to be if they are not biologically that gender.” “This public position is in conflict with the Dignity for All Students Act requiring teachers to maintain a classroom environment protecting the mental and emotional well-being of all students.”
The dean argues that Stevens’ words are hateful and may emotionally hurt other students.
Stevens’ posts and thoughts on Instagram don’t just touch on the biological facts of people’s sex or gender identity. The student also criticizes, for example, left-leaning organizations that he believes are counterproductive to racial progress.
Alleged threats to suspended student
The Daily Wire collected testimonials from Stevens, who, since his videos came to light, received threats from several students (though he does not specify whether they are from his university or not).
“I’ve received threats and horrible incidents of students who all feel they are making the world a better place by becoming the woke thought police,” Stevens commented to the news outlet. “Overall, I want justice and the right thing to be done.”
According to the report the State University of New York also emailed all students and staff condemning Stevens for his publications.
“Yesterday, I became aware of a current student’s Instagram posts related to transgender people (…) I want to take this opportunity to publicly restate my deep personal commitment to promoting social justice,” the email read.
A spokeswoman for the university said in a statement that “although we cannot comment on any particular student, SUNY Geneseo respects every student’s right to freedom of speech and expression.”
She added that “By choosing to enter certain professional fields, students agree to abide by the professional standards of their chosen field. At times, these professional standards dictate that students act and behave in certain ways that may differ from their personal predilections.”
Emmanuel Alejandro Rondón is a journalist at El American specializing in the areas of American politics and media analysis // Emmanuel Alejandro Rondón es periodista de El American especializado en las áreas de política americana y análisis de medios de comunicación.
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