... on politics and values...

I leave my politcs outside the classroom. But I can't , and I believe I shouldn't , hide my values.  As an academic, and an educator, I strive to model the values of respect and intellectual honesty above all else.

I understand the nuances of subjective perceptions, I believe that much is relative; but it cannot all be relative; to function as a community we need to adhere to a baseline of shared reality.

Therefore I don't believe it is a political action, but rather my responsibility, to express my disapproval of actions by the US government which are violating my values, and causing harm to our communities.

1.   I disapprove of stoking the flames of division and taking advantage of the strong emotions caused by political     violence for political gain. 

2.   I disapprove of the erasure and targeting of the transgender community.

3.   I disapprove of indiscriminate execution of immigration raids (carried out by masked agents).

4.   I disapprove of the lack of due process in the treatment of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. 

5.   I disapprove of the unlawful detention of Mahmoud Khalil, Rümeysa Öztürk and others.

6.   I disapprove of the indiscriminate mass firing of federal workers.

7.   I disapprove of a foreign policy alienating allies and empowering enemies.

8.   I disapprove of dismantling the department of education.

9.   I disapprove of skirting obeyance to judges’ orders.

10.   I disapprove of using anti-semitism as a foil to attack universities.

11.   I disapprove of unnecessary military escalation againist protests.

12.   I disapprove of the treatment of Senator Alex Padilla, who did not need to be pushed to the ground and handcuffed.

13.   I disapprove of how the pardon power is being used, to shield supporters from legal consequences and to lower the gravity of white collar crimes.

14.   I disapprove of corruption and self-enrichment. 

If you disagree with me on any of the above statements, I invite you to engage with me; I promise to be respectful, and I will expect your respect. We may or may not converge to a common view, but at least an effort will be made  not to live in disconnected realities.