A professor at a Michigan university has been suspended after a disturbing Facebook post that encouraged killing “right-wing” speakers who spout racist, homophobic or anti-transgender viewpoints.
Steven Shaviro, who taught English and film studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, took to Facebook this week to say that it was ineffective for students to simply protest speakers they disagree with because it gives the orators “publicity and validation.”
“Although I do not advocate violating federal and state criminal codes, I think it is far more admirable to kill a racist, homophobic, or transphobic speaker than it is to shout them down, ” Shaviro explained in a since-deleted post.
In an email to students Monday, Wayne State president Dr. M. Roy Wilson said the university found Shaviro’s comments “at best, morally reprehensible and, at worst, criminal.”
Steven Shaviro was suspended over the post. Facebook/Steven Shaviro“We have on many occasions defended the right of free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, but we feel this post far exceeds the bounds of reasonable or protected speech,” Wilson wrote.
Shaviro was suspended with pay and school officials referred the matter to law enforcement officials, the email said.
The university would not comment further on the matter and Shaviro did not immediately respond to an interview request.
The professor said in the post it would be “admirable to kill” a racist speaker. Facebook/Steven Shaviro
The professor works at Wayne State University. Getty ImagesThe left-wing prof had deleted his Facebook posts dating back to 2015 within an hour of The Post reaching out Tuesday morning.
