While the US is generally known for promoting free speech, not every institution in the country feels everyone should be allowed their say. Mississippi professor James Bowley found this out the hard way. Speaking to Independent, the teacher canceled class after hearing that Donald Trump won the 2024 election. He claims he “needed time to mourn” to process the election results, after which he sent an email rant to his students, calling the US a “racist and fascist country.”
Initially, Millsaps College put the religious studies professor on temporary leave and told him that his work email account was not for “sharing personal opinions with [his] students.” He was shortly fired the following week, after which he was also “banned from going on campus and talking to students.” Bowley claims that he was an “award-winning teacher” who loved his students and was devastated by the news of his termination.
For reference, the institution’s Handbook for Staff Employees states, “Millsaps College is committed to upholding the principles of academic freedom and shared governance.” However, “freedom of speech, discrimination, and harassment identified in this policy are neither legally protected expression nor the proper exercise of academic freedom.”
While the Mississippi professor might feel this a violation of his right to freedom of speech, one commenter points out that he indeed can “freely say whatever he wants without persecution” from the United States government; “however, that does not absolve him from any consequences of said speech.”
Regardless of free speech, a top comment expresses how saddening this whole situation is from a foreigner’s perspective: “You know, it’s really sad that we are probably the only country in the world where teachers and professors teach their students to hate the country. It’s really sad.”
And while a flurry of comments collectively agree that this Mississippi professor was “fired for telling the truth,” “canceling class because your candidate didn’t win is just stupid,” claims a user. Mississippi is considered a ‘red state’ in terms of its conservative-leaning tendencies, but it’s common sense for colleges to ensure their professors instill students with a sense of patriotism. Despite all Bowley’s accolades as a professor, calling the US a “racist and fascist country” certainly wasn’t the right move.
