The Way We (Shouldn't) Live (Especially) Now

From Sacramento Bee article.

Everyone has opinions, even strong opinions, about current events. Everyone has the right to express these views on social media or through traditional media. 

Opinions, yes. Physical threats, no. The latter - apart from the obvious reason why they should not not be expressed - degrade the university and have the potential to erode the rights of others. Even if due process is provided to this case (below) - and apparently it will be - others can be adversely affected.

Yours truly tries to think twice before hitting the "send" button. It's a good rule for others, too.

From the Sacramento Bee:

UC Davis condemns social media post threatening Jewish reporters made by professor 

By Ishani Desai, 10-20-23

The chancellor of the University of California, Davis, condemned a social media message threatening Jewish American journalists that appears to have been posted by a professor, and officials have launched an investigation into whether the educator violated the school’s code of conduct. Screenshots by multiple media outlets of the posts appear to show Jemma Decristo, an associate professor of African American studies, saying there’s easy access to Jewish journalists who spread propaganda and misinformation. Reporters have “addresses (and) kids in school,” the post said. Decristo is still employed by UC Davis, the university’s statement added. “They can fear their bosses, but they should fear us more,” the post appearing on the social media platform X showed. There were emojis of a knife, an ax and red drops after the statement.

Decristo’s X profile has been turned private with a profile message that points users to another X profile “for when I get suspended.” Attempts to immediately reach her were not successful. 

Chancellor Gary S. May issued a statement Thursday in which he rejected all forms of violence and discrimination because they are antithetical to UC Davis’ values. “I find the comments revolting in every way, and I disagree wholeheartedly with them,” May’s statement said. The process by which to determine if Decristo has violated the university’s faculty code of conduct are confidential personnel matters and cannot be shared with the public, May said. But, May added, the university’s provost would refer the incident to departments investigating harassment, discrimination and faulty discrimination. 

May noted opinions deemed controversial or abhorrent are protected by the First Amendment. UC Davis’ investigation will incorporate legal expertise regarding people’s First Amendment rights, he said. “We are carefully reviewing this matter to ensure our response is consistent with universitywide policy and state and federal constitutional protections,” May said. According to state payroll records maintained by Transparent California, Decristo has been at the university since at least 2019. Last year, she earned a base salary of $94,850 and earned over $110,000 with benefits factored in. She was a literature post-doctorate graduate of UC San Diego before coming to Davis. 

Now-removed references to Decristo on UC Davis’ Department of American Studies faculty webpage said she was also an undergraduate faculty advisor. She is described in a faculty post as a “scholar-artist-activist” who “writes about Black art and community.” 

“Dr. DeCristo insists that when students in American studies learn to treat the world around them as ‘problem spaces,’ when they research, question, write, and study that space, they can start to mold their reality and build the world they want,” according to a post published by the American studies program during its 50th anniversary celebration.

Source: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article280775760.html.