So clearly rendered. I teach at a major research university in Boston. In the summer of 2016 I received an anonymous student evaluation saying that I made racist comments during the brief summer semester. The student showed no quotation of what I supposedly said. I was really disturbed and then reviewed the student photos to see which person of color I might have offended, but there were no persons of color in that class. The faculty administrator who followed up suggested I take a racial sensitivity workshop. I was assumed to have made racist comments just because one student said so. This administrator is a PhD whose own professional work requires cited evidence. This incident led me to a devotion to exactly this issue, false claims investigated of racism through naive or ignorant filters. I don't like that this happened but it opened my eyes for the past 8 years. It is now 2024 and perhaps this wanton ignorance will dissipate.
I had an old girlfriend who did this to a professor once. I told her it was beyond cruel, and she did it anyway. She was not a minority student. She did it purely out of spite and in knowledge that it would lead to serious consequences. I never forgot that. She was definitely not worth much effort on my part after that. I suspect that this happens quite a bit, unless lazy students convinced that they deserve high marks for showing up have disappeared over the years.
Thank you for your very thoughtful and insightful article on false accusations of racism. I have recently been falsely accused of "racial slurs", but the person making the accusations and the recipient (non-profit organization housing me) of the report are either unable or unwilling to tell me where my words went wrong. As hard as I tried to clarify what I'd said, both parties refused to give me a chance to share "my side" of the situation. There has been no Due Process or "innocent until..."
These allegations could greatly impact my housing and security, and as a 71 y/o disabled white woman, I am very worried. I'm not eating, sleeping is a challenge, and my blood pressure has spiked since the incident. Needless to say, I've shed many tears. I always try to be very clear in my communications, and I freely admit and make amends when I'm wrong. I'm trained in conflict resolution, but both parties need to come to the table. Any words of advice? Should I get an attorney?
I love your concept but I fear that there are too many people, and organizations who have profited mightily from this era of racial hoaxes and tension that so the lesson of victimhood may be inescapable for a generation.
What is so disturbing is that this can have the impact of professors or even employers passing mediocre or even poor performance simply to avoid the perceived threat of retaliation (real or imagined). Some of the most important moments of my life were failures that forced me to change, to work harder, and that made me grow. What happens when key individuals stop doing this for some students of color? What if they do not get that D grade that forces a turnaround, or that critical review that forces them to change how they work? What if they do this for all students because it is easier and less risky? Will the the recipients of that watered-down life achieve that they would have had they been harshly but fairly evaluated?
I fear that the result of such changes will only further benefit the elite who will have the privilege of harsh, honest judgement from their parents and others in their social network. Leniency has a cost, and it will most likely harm poor young men the worst, as they are usually the ones who need course correction most.
Like false accusations/allegations of sex crimes. One of the most infamous actual false accusers that still hasn't been punished and sadly most likely will never be punished(severely as well as properly) is Chanel Miller. She didn't just ruin Brock Turner's life & reputation beyond repair. She also robbed his freedom and his future.
Modern social media isn't built with evidence in mind ... racism is not alone
I love the Challenge the Narrative podcast. Thanks for featuring Ada. 👍
So clearly rendered. I teach at a major research university in Boston. In the summer of 2016 I received an anonymous student evaluation saying that I made racist comments during the brief summer semester. The student showed no quotation of what I supposedly said. I was really disturbed and then reviewed the student photos to see which person of color I might have offended, but there were no persons of color in that class. The faculty administrator who followed up suggested I take a racial sensitivity workshop. I was assumed to have made racist comments just because one student said so. This administrator is a PhD whose own professional work requires cited evidence. This incident led me to a devotion to exactly this issue, false claims investigated of racism through naive or ignorant filters. I don't like that this happened but it opened my eyes for the past 8 years. It is now 2024 and perhaps this wanton ignorance will dissipate.
Thanks for sharing this outrageous experience!
I had an old girlfriend who did this to a professor once. I told her it was beyond cruel, and she did it anyway. She was not a minority student. She did it purely out of spite and in knowledge that it would lead to serious consequences. I never forgot that. She was definitely not worth much effort on my part after that. I suspect that this happens quite a bit, unless lazy students convinced that they deserve high marks for showing up have disappeared over the years.
Thank you for your very thoughtful and insightful article on false accusations of racism. I have recently been falsely accused of "racial slurs", but the person making the accusations and the recipient (non-profit organization housing me) of the report are either unable or unwilling to tell me where my words went wrong. As hard as I tried to clarify what I'd said, both parties refused to give me a chance to share "my side" of the situation. There has been no Due Process or "innocent until..."
These allegations could greatly impact my housing and security, and as a 71 y/o disabled white woman, I am very worried. I'm not eating, sleeping is a challenge, and my blood pressure has spiked since the incident. Needless to say, I've shed many tears. I always try to be very clear in my communications, and I freely admit and make amends when I'm wrong. I'm trained in conflict resolution, but both parties need to come to the table. Any words of advice? Should I get an attorney?
From a random internet stranger, I hope you're able to resolve this in a way that allows you the stability and safety you need.
I love your concept but I fear that there are too many people, and organizations who have profited mightily from this era of racial hoaxes and tension that so the lesson of victimhood may be inescapable for a generation.
What is so disturbing is that this can have the impact of professors or even employers passing mediocre or even poor performance simply to avoid the perceived threat of retaliation (real or imagined). Some of the most important moments of my life were failures that forced me to change, to work harder, and that made me grow. What happens when key individuals stop doing this for some students of color? What if they do not get that D grade that forces a turnaround, or that critical review that forces them to change how they work? What if they do this for all students because it is easier and less risky? Will the the recipients of that watered-down life achieve that they would have had they been harshly but fairly evaluated?
I fear that the result of such changes will only further benefit the elite who will have the privilege of harsh, honest judgement from their parents and others in their social network. Leniency has a cost, and it will most likely harm poor young men the worst, as they are usually the ones who need course correction most.
Fantastic article as usual Ada. There must be consequences for false allegations, to serve as a deterrent
Like false accusations/allegations of sex crimes. One of the most infamous actual false accusers that still hasn't been punished and sadly most likely will never be punished(severely as well as properly) is Chanel Miller. She didn't just ruin Brock Turner's life & reputation beyond repair. She also robbed his freedom and his future.
womp womp womp