Millsaps College - millsaps.edu/ You can contact President Neville - frank.neville@millsaps.edu You can contact Interim Provost Rolph - rolphsc@millsaps.edu Please ensure that any contact with Millsaps College is professional. Read the letter from FIRE here - www.thefire.org/research-learn/fire-letter-millsaps-college-december-18-2024 "Dear Interim Provost Rolph and President Neville, I am reaching out to you in support of Prof. James Bowley. Along with many others, I am demanding that you immediately reinstate, compensate him for damages and publicly apologize to James Bowley. Signed "
X banned a Canadian strip club for "hate speech" because they posted a picture saying "Neighbours not Neighbors" regarding Canada becoming a 51st state. you know, hate speech
@dylanolsson6883 oh well then its ok to put him on leave without review in violation of their own internal policies!!!!!!!!!!!11!!!1 Thanx for clarifying dylan!!!1!!!
It’s always about the money. Those who will not sell their soul for money are the exception. Admin doesn’t care about academia. Admin cares for their bottom line. That and the understandable FEAR of the trump administration seeking destruction of any and every institution that supports the American Constitution.
He called the country racist and fascist in the email for electing Trump. The guy discriminates against most of the country. People with normal opinions can't get a proper education with people like him gatekeeping. If he expressed such a hateful opinion of a minority or women instead of conservatives, then no one would be defending him, everyone would understand he can't be trusted to teach fairly and unbiasedly.
@sgttomas hahahaha, as always, free speech for me, not for thee You both in this reply are acting like if someone dislikes the new president, they immediately have no agency to form opinions of their own, it's pathetic
That was in a building scheduled for demolition on campus. Most students were in there spray painting and doing all kinds of graffiti before it was demolished
I was struck by how gracefully the possibility of a more vulgar substance was allowed to hover in the air, and then denied. Dr Sledge, the Hammer of the Thought Police.
I emailed both the President and Provost of Milsaps College. Also, I'd like to mention that according to a report by television station WLBT3 out of Jackson, MS, on the most recent 990 tax form found in the ProPublica database which was filed by the college, it states the mission of Milsaps College is to “defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought.”
Same. I wonder, though, how many now in agreement would change their opinion based on whther the particular political statement made aligns with their own beliefs, a la the ACLU of old?
I agree he should be allowed to say what he wants although as someone who voted for Trump I obviously think his statement is ridiculous. All speech should be allowed on campus otherwise there will never be honest debate over different issues
@@steevenseagull8345 I had conservative professors say many things I found ghastly when I was in school. Never once occurred to me to try to get them fired for it.
As an alumus of Millsaps who is also in academia solely because of the quality of my education at Millsaps, I am ashamed of my college but grateful for your work here Dr. Sledge. Hopefully we can pressure them into making the correct decision.
I received unfair disciplinary action at work today and was in a terrible mood until I watched this. Thank you for defending your friend & teacher + all tenured professors!
Sorry that happened to you. I hope you ALWAYS have pen and paper ready any time management wants to meet with you and that you VISIBLY take notes of what is transpiring. It's also good to "check in" with HR and request a written description of your position. It might not come to anything, but you let management know that you are not going to just roll over.
People always worry about government censorship but the real worry is employer censorship, if this can happen to a tenured professor then it can happen to any of us.
This is such a huge problem! And not just in academia, if anything it's even worse in the private sector. People get fired all the time because they made an enemy on the internet who reported them to their employer
A private institution should have the right to fire someone for calling the United States a, "racist, fascist nation" - that is a massive liability to brand image and has no place being communicated on work accounts.
@@Shiranu17do you understand what free speech and the role of a professor is for? If the professor disagrees with the government they need to be able to say so or else the country is censoring and hunting it's intellectual population. If the United States lets this stand it risks the same actions as the natzi's and communists did during and after the world wars
@@benjaminlquinlan8702 -- ...and "Brett Weinstein", and "Lindsey Shepherd", and many others. After staying conspicuously silent (or cheering on) the inquisition against these figures for a decade, they want to play the victim now that their political opponents finally have the upper hand. The irony is thick. By the way: if you, whomever is reading this, response with "but Bowley is right, and Jordan/Brett/etc. is a moron/provocateur/whiner/hater", then you're part of the problem. Freedom of speech isn't a privilege reserved for "good" people. Bowley shouldn't have been fired, and neither should the others.
As a parent of a former Millsaps student, I am horrified by the treatment this tenured professor is receiving by the administration. They need to immediately right this situation and apologize!
As a college student, these issues have gotten way out of hand. Administrators, presidents, and state legislature now micromanage and control everything that professors say. Due to Indiana legislature, all my professors have now begun the semester with a disclaimer that they are not allowed to make any political statements in the classroom. Which is extremely problematic for any class which involves current events. Student free speech has been under attack too. After a peaceful protest on a campus park was shut down by riot police with shields (completely unnecessary), the park was then closed for six months for “landscaping” so they could prevent any future protests. How is this war on expression acceptable in any public university.
It's especially bad for people whose existence is now being made political like trans students. Here in Ohio, they just passed bathroom bans for K-12 and college students. If students and professors can't even discuss their own experiences, how free is their speech really?
Things much like this were becoming increasingly common in the Moscow empire in the 1860s and later. It then naturally evolved into more oppression on the one side and more radicalism on the other. We know very well what it eventually resolved into.
Fascists are on the march in the US. Keep calling them out. The mainstream news media keeps "both-sides"ing their presentations, normalizing blatant fascism and thereby enabling it. When I was a kid learning about NAZI Germany, I wondered if it could happen in the US. It clearly can, and without vigilance, it very well may. The thing is, vigilance sometimes requires action, not just paying attention.
I am not an American nor a formal student of Humanities but your videos have been very educational and mind opening to someone like me, a STEM grad student from a non western country. Dr. Sledge you have no need to apologize. You have done so much for your viewers and the least we can do is support you and the academic freedom you stand for. I fully support your protest and vehemently oppose your college for betraying its students, faculty and basic principles of academia. The dishonor it's anti academic, anti intellectual and even anti American values has brought upon the entire concept of Liberal Education must be brought to light and justice. In my culture teachers are supposed to be the mundane manifestation of the divine, of Sophia, itself and any unjust attack on them must not be tolerated. Thank you for everything. I hope this comment reaches you well and your teacher is served the justice he deserves
"Obeying in advance" - On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, Timothy Snyder. Such a shame seeing it happen so often and so much. Cowards abound.
@@Archeangelous This. This is exactly what’s happening. And that makes it all the more concerning. I’m afraid we are watching the demolition of US Academia, one of the pillars of American prosperity, & ,arguably, *the* main source of our competitive edge in real time.
Dr. Sledge, I am on board with this all the way. This is a part of how we work to keep academia honest and accountable. And that includes especially the bureaucrats who think they can micromanage the liberal arts as a means for marketability based on the whims of the political climate rather than the core values of ethical intellectual discourse.
The fact that you touch the hearts and minds of so many, and the fact that you are willing to take a stand shows that your professor was a true mentor who taught you well
first of all, good for you. Your fury and dismay are more than evident, and I share them with you. For anyone who is wondering why a video like this is necessary, please remember that free expression is an absolutely fundamental value in any democracy and in particular on university campuses where dialogue and discussion are the heart of learning. Dr. Sledge, I am a member of PEN America and I will immediately forward this situation to those focusing on campus free expression issues. The administrators who did this to the professor are doing what many under fascism have done: obey in advance, and we must not tolerate it.
"where dialogue and discussion are the heart of learning" This is where the problem lies. You cant have open dialogue between students when the professors is a blatant advocate for one side. His open advocacy creates a chilling effect for anyone not supporting cause.
🖖🏾.. I Have listened to, and Watched the Entire video..!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Bravo! Bravery and Strength of Conviction has been Shown.!!🤘🏾💖👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 ..In response I have posted it on My Facebook page... I pray for the Best, but prepare for the Worst!🙏🏾... This year is showing itself to be a Mental fight at the Very Least.. Blessings and thanks for your Work.👐🏾💕
I admire the firm stand you are taking here, Justin. FIRE is a crucial advocacy organization right now, from whom I and many others have personally benefited. I just want to say that it is encouraging to see one of the most popular voices within the academic field of Western Esotericism vocalizing the absolute necessity of free thought and speech in the academy. This is a non-negotiable matter, and anyone who violates this ethical law will professionally perish before too long. The writing is on the wall in every sense for these careerist cretins in university administrations.
Done. I did it before commenting. It is my pleasure to pay forward some of the goodness Esoterica has brought into my life. Especially when the request is worthy, good, and honorable. It is not lost on me that without Prof. Bowley's role in your academic maturation, Esoterica would not be what it is (or may not even *be* at all). Count on my support, sir.
If I were a student at Millsaps, I would actively be withdrawing from classes and seeking admittance at another university. The ability for my prospective teachers to say what they believe to be true, regardless of public sentiment, is the entire reason I pay tuition. This kind of abandonment of the ideals of the liberal arts education indicates that the value of the education offered by Millsaps is permanently and indelibly marred. Shame on the board of governors and university regents for letting a hatchet-man destroy the reputation of a university like Millsaps. Failure to respond swiftly will only dig the hole deeper, further worsening the decline in reputation of the institution. What a shame.
He is free to express his views on a private email; he made the mistake of using a work email. You can watch porn at home, but watching porn on a work computer might get you in trouble.
@Shiranu17 you sound like a complete moron equating porn to firing a college professor who said something on his work email to 3 students. I think you choose to do this to justify your own views. You did not like what a professor said and you agree with the administration so you will justify it however you can. The truth is even an adjunct professor should be able to express his views to a big class. If your mains argument is that if he used his personal email, all is ok, but since he used his work email he messed up. No that should not be correct a teacher should be able to express his views right left middle whatever. You believe that equating a political option in work by email to porn justifies your point. I think it says a lot more about you and your view of porn than anything else meaningful.
Millsaps is/was unique. No Mississippian withdrawing from the school would have any other local university to run to that isn't even more suppressed than Millsaps is becoming...
as a long time Esoterica fan- there is no need to apologize for posting a video like this. I'm sorry you're in the position of needing to defend your teacher this way, but I admire the way you're choosing to do so.
I am the daughter of two former Religious Studies Professors at Millsaps, Darby Ray (1996-2012) and Raymond Clothier (2001-2012), who worked with James Bowley at Millsaps for over a decade are still close friends with the entire Bowley family. Growing up, I was good friends with James’s daughter Sophia and we lived on the same street, so I spent countless afternoons at their house. I can unequivocally state that James Bowley is a genuinely kind human who is devoutly committed to his career as an educator. As a hugely accomplished scholar and the only professor in the Religious Studies department at Millsaps, James Bowley is an integral asset to the academic condition of the college. Furthermore, James is deeply beloved by his students, past and present, and by the community as a whole. The Millsaps administration is making a grievous and hypocritical error in silencing the non-harmful free speech of one of their tenured faculty. Shame on Millsaps.
Free speech, academic freedom and the right to access information is why I became a librarian and am currently working as a research librarian. This is a dangerous tendency and thank you for shining a spotlight on it.
These are not the values I was taught at Millsaps and it is a complete public outrage. I’m so glad you’re standing up for him and I stand with you. #justiceforJames
He called the country racist and fascist in the email for electing Trump. The guy discriminates against most of the country. People with normal opinions can't get a proper education with people like him gatekeeping. If he expressed such a hateful opinion of a minority or women instead of conservatives, then no one would be defending him, everyone would understand he can't be trusted to teach fairly and unbiasedly.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! As an alumna myself, I am appalled by the behavior of the board and president. I'll be sharing this video and letting it play in the background all day to help rack up views. It's time to publicly shame the administration at this point.
He called the country racist and fascist in the email for electing Trump. The guy discriminates against most of the country. People with normal opinions can't get a proper education with people like him gatekeeping. If he expressed such a hateful opinion of a minority or women instead of conservatives, then no one would be defending him, everyone would understand he can't be trusted to teach fairly and unbiasedly.
As an ex-senior lecture and senior university manager this is, as you say, outrageous. Decisions such as this should be positively and quickly addressed by the Head of School, as a personal decision such as this arising from the equivalent of the Office of the Vice Chancelor is both morally and structurally inappropriate and wrong.
As an Esoterica fan I'm more than happy to see this and to include a comment to help the algorithm along a little. Good for you. I hope that you succeed in your struggle.
This is absolutely unconscionable. I appreciate your willingness to clearly and boldly do what is right. And that _is_ what I signed up for when I subscribed to this channel. Academic institutions should be doing this to _no one,_ but the fact that they're doing this to someone with tenure is absolutely beyond the pale. This is what tenure is _for._ There's not a lot I can do from my position, but hopefully I can help the algorithm along to make this as loud as possible.
Because promotion in a liberal arts college, and most universities, is a DEI (Didn't Earn It) thing. We all know that now. The question is, are we going to continue to speak around it, or confront the LEFTISTS responsible? This IS a political issue. Don't pretend it isn't.
These people know what's coming and are happy to oblige, for as much as the right loves to say academia has been captured by the left, this is a curious phenomenon isn't it?
Let your voice soar above the clouds dr. Sledge! I'm mainly leaving this simple message of support for the algorithm. Whether via indirect pressure or direct action I hope this gets settled in most rational and ethical way possible. Solidarity to people and comrades working as education workers of any sort! Millsaps College reputation is at stake and let it be so.
It's a sad day when an educational institution discourages freedom of expression. Research (including the esoteric) requires it. This is not the time to capitulate.
Thank you for publicizing this. Sounds like a worthy and important cause! We've all benefited from the education you received, and it's great that you can use your platform to give back like this.
Absolutely No apology necessary, Dr. Sledge. Free speech is something I believe in and has been coming under fire more and more in recent years, and it is beyond concerning. I also think it’s touching that you are sticking up for a man that had such a positive impact on your life. I hope this is resolved quickly and amends are made.
no apologies needed thanks for carring about the injustice done to Dr. James Bowley and the academic freedom that keep our institutions great places to study
It’s alright Dr. Sledge. As an Alumni of Temple U., who watched the student union fight it out last year, I feel you. It’s an uncanny thing to be talking about The Inquisition one day and find some concerning parallels in our modern times the next.
Dr. Sledge, everyone who loves this channel knows and understands that without this kind of freedom, we would not have Esoterica. Thank you for posting this.
Commenting for the algorithm so hopefully as many people can as possible can see it. As a current adult college student myself, educators have every right to express their opinion and this is a blatant suppression of free speech! Justice for Dr. Bowley. No need to apologize!
I looked up the controversy and Dr. Bowley did not even share his opinion in a classroom setting. He SENT AN EMAIL. Private speech. I think he should be able to share his opinions in any setting including his classroom. Professors profess. I agree with you, Justin. This is disgusting. You have every right to defend your teacher because indirectly he is our teacher as well.
Especially in the context of the class. It was "Abortions and Religion". How exactly are you meant to teach a class about the theology of abortion without sharing political views?
The most awful part of it, is that the people who have been whining about free speech when it isn under attack, are the ones on the side of the universities when it is under attack. Glad you and more like you are bringing this issue to more light.
I respect this a lot, Dr. Sledge. I hope it makes a difference. Not much I can do except hope for the best, but it's refreshing to see people defending free speech that are, well, *actually* defending free speech. I think those are values worth defending and I hope you succeed.
Dr. Sledge, you don't need to apologize for anything. Part of the reason many of us are so invested in the topics you educate us about is because we're interested in preserving knowledge and protecting the integrity of the academic process. It is our duty to stand by educators when they are wrongly persecuted. Millsaps deserves better, we deserve better, academia deserves better.
I have gained immeasurable amounts of knowledge from your channel. I am so sorry for your professor and any other college prof that has been silenced. I’ll share this on my socials. No apologies needed. Freedom of speech is HIGHLY important.
This video perfectly captures the spirit of millsaps college! If you're considering applying or just want to learn more about the culture at Millsaps College, this is a must-watch!
@@TheEsotericaChannel If you look into them beyond the surface level they're absolutely a partisan organization. I absolutely agree that this SHOULDN'T be a partisan issue nor am I accusing you of being on any side of the political spectrum because that simply isn't relevant. I do however feel the need to point out that any digging into FIRE will absolutely reveal connections and biases to the right, including strong affiliations with Turning Point USA, and being funded by the Charles Koch institute and the Sarah Scaife foundation. The Sarah Scaife foundation being originally designed to fund the humanities and the arts before being hijacked by her son after her death and now funds anti-immigration causes mostly.
@@thefool4407 correct. They defend conservatives when they are being disciplined for ideological reasons. And in this case they are defending a progressive for his ideological stance. They defend academics regardless of partisan alignment. They’ve been at the forefront of calling out ideologically motivated crackdown on anti-Israel protestors this past year. Lots of conservatives support FIRE because frequently it’s the conservatives and TPU types who are on the receiving end of the censorship-but not always, as with this case and many others.
@danhogan1963 oh I completely agree. Im not saying theyre going to sabotage this because its a left leaning project and I do believe that the vast majority of the people for FIRE do just sincerely care about free speech. But the fact is they do get funding from very outwardly right wing organisations, have thinly veiled right wing rhetoric on their website thats immediately obvious if you know anything about right wing talking points and theyve also dabbled in more edge cases (like they were involved in the case of a college refusing to fund student groups that refused students of certain groups (lgbt people mostly) based on religion). But I absolutely agree that they will help I just think that its misleading to say theyre not partisan just because they say they arent on their website
@@thefool4407 However ugly that background might be, their actions speak. Simultaneous to this they've stepped up to defend J Ann Selzer from legal attacks by Donald Trump himself.
This was a great talk. I was in University (Music and composition) in the 1980s and things were already changing then. Partly, the lack of free thinking of the students (I learned to regurgitate what the profs wanted), and then the slow devolution from Socratic thinking to the mindless doctrinal think we have today.
No apologies needed my dear friend. It’s of utmost importance for someone in your position to share this ESPECIALLY in this ( your )channel. We are with you DR. Sledge !!!
You said it yourself - absolutely outrageous. Good on you for bringing light to this situation, and I’m sure I speak for all of us regular viewers when I say that there’s no need to apologise for it. Shame on Millsaps College. We cannot tolerate this behaviour and attack on free speech and academia.
Solidarity with Prof. Bowley, Dr. Sledge, and the right of tenured professors of religion and philosophy everywhere to speak freely, without fear from Kafkaesque admins.
@@StephensCrazyHour It's been pretty common over here for quite a while at least going back to the 50s when left-wingers were getting thrown out by right-wing establishments then the Poles shift and then from the late 70s onto now it's been left-wingers in charge of most establishments and right-wingers getting kicked out. It's been people on both sides for forever but that's how the tides have gone through. However at least in the United States people have a case to stand on when this happens and they can take on the administrations and usually win
Ppl are so scared rn that their fear is overriding their compassion, sense, and professional. All ppl need to hold onto their courage and each other more than ever. Rise up relatives ❤❤
Having searched and found a thorough explanation of the basic issues in this case, I agree with you that Milsaps’ treatment of Dr. Bowles is egregious and one of a series of recent attacks on academic freedom and freedom of expression. I’m sorry for the professor’s troubles. It’s so devastating to see what’s happening to our country’s once proud academic community.
@@neilthomaswallin514 Your statement 's ambiguity argues against you. 1. Show proof. 2. You imply that Dr. Bowley (or Dr. SLEDGE?) has committed vandalism. Learn some grammar before you comment.
Folks, we have a saying down here, a warning to the rest of the country: "Mississippi is your future." Do not look away from the things that happen here. Why? Because it's terrible here, and that is completely by design.
Millsaps College - millsaps.edu/
You can contact President Neville - frank.neville@millsaps.edu
You can contact Interim Provost Rolph - rolphsc@millsaps.edu
Please ensure that any contact with Millsaps College is professional.
Read the letter from FIRE here - www.thefire.org/research-learn/fire-letter-millsaps-college-december-18-2024
"Dear Interim Provost Rolph and President Neville,
I am reaching out to you in support of Prof. James Bowley. Along with many others, I am demanding that you immediately reinstate, compensate him for damages and publicly apologize to James Bowley.
Signed
"
I sent an email to both of them, I hope many others do.
X banned a Canadian strip club for "hate speech" because they posted a picture saying
"Neighbours not Neighbors"
regarding Canada becoming a 51st state.
you know, hate speech
Just a heads up on the typo "out to in", sent my email in as well.
@dylanolsson6883 oh well then its ok to put him on leave without review in violation of their own internal policies!!!!!!!!!!!11!!!1
Thanx for clarifying dylan!!!1!!!
@dylanolsson6883 yeah that’s exactly what the first amendment protects
When the man said “donor” he was speaking the only language admins understand
@@donkimble This.
So so true
It’s always about the money. Those who will not sell their soul for money are the exception. Admin doesn’t care about academia. Admin cares for their bottom line. That and the understandable FEAR of the trump administration seeking destruction of any and every institution that supports the American Constitution.
Absolutely correct.
Unfortunately, I'm afraid that the donors might approve.
Without the freedom of speech, the freedom to think becomes threatened.
Ridiculous, what is even the point of tenure...
He called the country racist and fascist in the email for electing Trump. The guy discriminates against most of the country. People with normal opinions can't get a proper education with people like him gatekeeping. If he expressed such a hateful opinion of a minority or women instead of conservatives, then no one would be defending him, everyone would understand he can't be trusted to teach fairly and unbiasedly.
Maybe just a hold over, no longer holds a point, just sounds smart. Would surprise me if this guess is correct.
@sgttomas hahahaha, as always, free speech for me, not for thee
You both in this reply are acting like if someone dislikes the new president, they immediately have no agency to form opinions of their own, it's pathetic
That was in a building scheduled for demolition on campus. Most students were in there spray painting and doing all kinds of graffiti before it was demolished
@@JHimminy just because a lot of people say a thing doesn't make it not true.
"I hope you like the taste of shoe polish" isn't the type of content I signed up for but it's content I am grateful for
Agree
I was struck by how gracefully the possibility of a more vulgar substance was allowed to hover in the air, and then denied. Dr Sledge, the Hammer of the Thought Police.
It'd be nice if the world didn't encroach on our special interests (it always does.)
Amen
Kinky!
I emailed both the President and Provost of Milsaps College. Also, I'd like to mention that according to a report by television station WLBT3 out of Jackson, MS, on the most recent 990 tax form found in the ProPublica database which was filed by the college, it states the mission of Milsaps College is to “defend and sustain the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought.”
Interesting.
*Terms and conditions apply
Apparently they think they have a "new improved mission"...
Awesome catch, man, such a smoking gun...
As an attorney, I can assure that those mission statements are not in any way legally binding.
No apologies required Dr. Sledge, I love a person of conviction fighting the good fight!
I absolutely agree
Same.
Same. I wonder, though, how many now in agreement would change their opinion based on whther the particular political statement made aligns with their own beliefs, a la the ACLU of old?
I agree he should be allowed to say what he wants although as someone who voted for Trump I obviously think his statement is ridiculous. All speech should be allowed on campus otherwise there will never be honest debate over different issues
@@steevenseagull8345 I had conservative professors say many things I found ghastly when I was in school. Never once occurred to me to try to get them fired for it.
Well said, sir. This former Millsaps professor (History, 2009-2013) thanks you for your statement. I second your support for Dr. James Bowley.
Great to hear, be sure to spread the word among any colleagues you kept in contact with if you have
Is calling the United States a "racist, fascist nation" on work emails appropriate behavior for a Dr?
@@Shiranu17, it is when you're a tenured professor!
@@Shiranu17 It's an academic's job to state facts even when they're uncomfortable, so, yes. Source: I'm a Dr
Under Millsaps own rules, yes it is appropriate.
As an alumus of Millsaps who is also in academia solely because of the quality of my education at Millsaps, I am ashamed of my college but grateful for your work here Dr. Sledge. Hopefully we can pressure them into making the correct decision.
If you can´t pressure them into supporting free speech you have no business staying there. Then its not an academia anymore.
I received unfair disciplinary action at work today and was in a terrible mood until I watched this. Thank you for defending your friend & teacher + all tenured professors!
Sorry that happened to you. I hope you ALWAYS have pen and paper ready any time management wants to meet with you and that you VISIBLY take notes of what is transpiring. It's also good to "check in" with HR and request a written description of your position. It might not come to anything, but you let management know that you are not going to just roll over.
No need to apologize, Dr Sledge! We appreciate your bringing this contemptible behavior out into the daylight where everyone can see it!
@@artawhirler Total agreement.
People always worry about government censorship but the real worry is employer censorship, if this can happen to a tenured professor then it can happen to any of us.
This is such a huge problem! And not just in academia, if anything it's even worse in the private sector. People get fired all the time because they made an enemy on the internet who reported them to their employer
Bravo. Good point.
A private institution should have the right to fire someone for calling the United States a, "racist, fascist nation" - that is a massive liability to brand image and has no place being communicated on work accounts.
@@Shiranu17do you understand what free speech and the role of a professor is for? If the professor disagrees with the government they need to be able to say so or else the country is censoring and hunting it's intellectual population. If the United States lets this stand it risks the same actions as the natzi's and communists did during and after the world wars
@@Shiranu17 seems like an apt description from my time there 😂
Sent my letter in! Censorship in academia is a canary in the coal mine!
Apparently, the canary is not dead. It's merely resting its eyes
The same people who celebrated the removal of people like Brett Weinstein will support Bowley. The canary died 5 years ago
That Canary was named Peterson
@@benjaminlquinlan8702 -- ...and "Brett Weinstein", and "Lindsey Shepherd", and many others. After staying conspicuously silent (or cheering on) the inquisition against these figures for a decade, they want to play the victim now that their political opponents finally have the upper hand. The irony is thick.
By the way: if you, whomever is reading this, response with "but Bowley is right, and Jordan/Brett/etc. is a moron/provocateur/whiner/hater", then you're part of the problem. Freedom of speech isn't a privilege reserved for "good" people. Bowley shouldn't have been fired, and neither should the others.
Oh yeah, it's academic solidarity time
As a parent of a former Millsaps student, I am horrified by the treatment this tenured professor is receiving by the administration. They need to immediately right this situation and apologize!
Thanks!
Academic solidarity - another good reason for building unions among grad students and academic workers.
@@rowandoyle7 tell that to Vanderbilt admin
That’s a great idea. They should start now, while it’s still possible.
Absolutely this - This is the only correct answer.
Solidarity Forever. ✊
@@rowandoyle7 ye, oh, unions will resolve everything lol
As a college student, these issues have gotten way out of hand. Administrators, presidents, and state legislature now micromanage and control everything that professors say. Due to Indiana legislature, all my professors have now begun the semester with a disclaimer that they are not allowed to make any political statements in the classroom. Which is extremely problematic for any class which involves current events. Student free speech has been under attack too. After a peaceful protest on a campus park was shut down by riot police with shields (completely unnecessary), the park was then closed for six months for “landscaping” so they could prevent any future protests. How is this war on expression acceptable in any public university.
@@mustang2262 Kent State all over again
It's especially bad for people whose existence is now being made political like trans students. Here in Ohio, they just passed bathroom bans for K-12 and college students. If students and professors can't even discuss their own experiences, how free is their speech really?
Things much like this were becoming increasingly common in the Moscow empire in the 1860s and later. It then naturally evolved into more oppression on the one side and more radicalism on the other. We know very well what it eventually resolved into.
Fascists are on the march in the US. Keep calling them out. The mainstream news media keeps "both-sides"ing their presentations, normalizing blatant fascism and thereby enabling it. When I was a kid learning about NAZI Germany, I wondered if it could happen in the US. It clearly can, and without vigilance, it very well may. The thing is, vigilance sometimes requires action, not just paying attention.
Totally horrifying! --retired college professor from Indiana
I am not an American nor a formal student of Humanities but your videos have been very educational and mind opening to someone like me, a STEM grad student from a non western country.
Dr. Sledge you have no need to apologize. You have done so much for your viewers and the least we can do is support you and the academic freedom you stand for.
I fully support your protest and vehemently oppose your college for betraying its students, faculty and basic principles of academia.
The dishonor it's anti academic, anti intellectual and even anti American values has brought upon the entire concept of Liberal Education must be brought to light and justice.
In my culture teachers are supposed to be the mundane manifestation of the divine, of Sophia, itself and any unjust attack on them must not be tolerated.
Thank you for everything.
I hope this comment reaches you well and your teacher is served the justice he deserves
22k in 8 hours. Thank you for supporting free speech.
"Obeying in advance" - On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, Timothy Snyder. Such a shame seeing it happen so often and so much. Cowards abound.
Absolutely.
@@JHimminynot you again!
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
@@Archeangelous This. This is exactly what’s happening. And that makes it all the more concerning. I’m afraid we are watching the demolition of US Academia, one of the pillars of American prosperity, & ,arguably, *the* main source of our competitive edge in real time.
Dr. Sledge, I am on board with this all the way. This is a part of how we work to keep academia honest and accountable. And that includes especially the bureaucrats who think they can micromanage the liberal arts as a means for marketability based on the whims of the political climate rather than the core values of ethical intellectual discourse.
Well said.
The fact that you touch the hearts and minds of so many, and the fact that you are willing to take a stand shows that your professor was a true mentor who taught you well
Totally agree! Outrageous. And I'm seeing and hearing more and more of it. Time to push back and push back HARD!
first of all, good for you. Your fury and dismay are more than evident, and I share them with you. For anyone who is wondering why a video like this is necessary, please remember that free expression is an absolutely fundamental value in any democracy and in particular on university campuses where dialogue and discussion are the heart of learning. Dr. Sledge, I am a member of PEN America and I will immediately forward this situation to those focusing on campus free expression issues. The administrators who did this to the professor are doing what many under fascism have done: obey in advance, and we must not tolerate it.
"where dialogue and discussion are the heart of learning"
This is where the problem lies. You cant have open dialogue between students when the professors is a blatant advocate for one side. His open advocacy creates a chilling effect for anyone not supporting cause.
🖖🏾.. I Have listened to, and Watched the Entire video..!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Bravo! Bravery and Strength of Conviction has been Shown.!!🤘🏾💖👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
..In response I have posted it on My Facebook page... I pray for the Best, but prepare for the Worst!🙏🏾... This year is showing itself to be a Mental fight at the Very Least.. Blessings and thanks for your Work.👐🏾💕
Exceptional. Even if only 1 person sees your posts and puts in the effort, youve done amazingly
Need more of the academic community speaking out against free speech suppression ! Thanks Justin
For sure!!
Nah man, no apologies needed to me. Thank you for standing up for free speech.
I admire the firm stand you are taking here, Justin. FIRE is a crucial advocacy organization right now, from whom I and many others have personally benefited. I just want to say that it is encouraging to see one of the most popular voices within the academic field of Western Esotericism vocalizing the absolute necessity of free thought and speech in the academy. This is a non-negotiable matter, and anyone who violates this ethical law will professionally perish before too long. The writing is on the wall in every sense for these careerist cretins in university administrations.
Done. I did it before commenting. It is my pleasure to pay forward some of the goodness Esoterica has brought into my life. Especially when the request is worthy, good, and honorable. It is not lost on me that without Prof. Bowley's role in your academic maturation, Esoterica would not be what it is (or may not even *be* at all). Count on my support, sir.
If I were a student at Millsaps, I would actively be withdrawing from classes and seeking admittance at another university. The ability for my prospective teachers to say what they believe to be true, regardless of public sentiment, is the entire reason I pay tuition. This kind of abandonment of the ideals of the liberal arts education indicates that the value of the education offered by Millsaps is permanently and indelibly marred.
Shame on the board of governors and university regents for letting a hatchet-man destroy the reputation of a university like Millsaps. Failure to respond swiftly will only dig the hole deeper, further worsening the decline in reputation of the institution. What a shame.
He is free to express his views on a private email; he made the mistake of using a work email.
You can watch porn at home, but watching porn on a work computer might get you in trouble.
@Shiranu17 you sound like a complete moron equating porn to firing a college professor who said something on his work email to 3 students. I think you choose to do this to justify your own views. You did not like what a professor said and you agree with the administration so you will justify it however you can. The truth is even an adjunct professor should be able to express his views to a big class. If your mains argument is that if he used his personal email, all is ok, but since he used his work email he messed up. No that should not be correct a teacher should be able to express his views right left middle whatever. You believe that equating a political option in work by email to porn justifies your point. I think it says a lot more about you and your view of porn than anything else meaningful.
You my good sir have an aptly named profile for your TH-cam account.
Millsaps is/was unique. No Mississippian withdrawing from the school would have any other local university to run to that isn't even more suppressed than Millsaps is becoming...
as a long time Esoterica fan- there is no need to apologize for posting a video like this.
I'm sorry you're in the position of needing to defend your teacher this way, but I admire the way you're choosing to do so.
Ive only seen him make 2 videos, this and the copyright one and both are completely justified!
This is important to everyone who values intellectual freedom, thanks for sharing
Unfortunately, intellectual freedom is under assault in many institutions.
I am the daughter of two former Religious Studies Professors at Millsaps, Darby Ray (1996-2012) and Raymond Clothier (2001-2012), who worked with James Bowley at Millsaps for over a decade are still close friends with the entire Bowley family. Growing up, I was good friends with James’s daughter Sophia and we lived on the same street, so I spent countless afternoons at their house. I can unequivocally state that James Bowley is a genuinely kind human who is devoutly committed to his career as an educator. As a hugely accomplished scholar and the only professor in the Religious Studies department at Millsaps, James Bowley is an integral asset to the academic condition of the college. Furthermore, James is deeply beloved by his students, past and present, and by the community as a whole. The Millsaps administration is making a grievous and hypocritical error in silencing the non-harmful free speech of one of their tenured faculty. Shame on Millsaps.
Thanks for this comment and send my best to your mother! I remember her being an absolutely fire professor.
Free speech, academic freedom and the right to access information is why I became a librarian and am currently working as a research librarian. This is a dangerous tendency and thank you for shining a spotlight on it.
These are not the values I was taught at Millsaps and it is a complete public outrage. I’m so glad you’re standing up for him and I stand with you. #justiceforJames
#justiceforjames
No forgiveness necessary, we must always defend speech
He called the country racist and fascist in the email for electing Trump. The guy discriminates against most of the country. People with normal opinions can't get a proper education with people like him gatekeeping. If he expressed such a hateful opinion of a minority or women instead of conservatives, then no one would be defending him, everyone would understand he can't be trusted to teach fairly and unbiasedly.
Proud to be counted in those who support creators who support free speech. Thank you for fighting!
As an educator, thank you. This kind of support makes a difference.
As a professional educator, thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! As an alumna myself, I am appalled by the behavior of the board and president. I'll be sharing this video and letting it play in the background all day to help rack up views. It's time to publicly shame the administration at this point.
He called the country racist and fascist in the email for electing Trump. The guy discriminates against most of the country. People with normal opinions can't get a proper education with people like him gatekeeping. If he expressed such a hateful opinion of a minority or women instead of conservatives, then no one would be defending him, everyone would understand he can't be trusted to teach fairly and unbiasedly.
As an ex-senior lecture and senior university manager this is, as you say, outrageous. Decisions such as this should be positively and quickly addressed by the Head of School, as a personal decision such as this arising from the equivalent of the Office of the Vice Chancelor is both morally and structurally inappropriate and wrong.
As an Esoterica fan I'm more than happy to see this and to include a comment to help the algorithm along a little.
Good for you. I hope that you succeed in your struggle.
This is absolutely unconscionable. I appreciate your willingness to clearly and boldly do what is right. And that _is_ what I signed up for when I subscribed to this channel. Academic institutions should be doing this to _no one,_ but the fact that they're doing this to someone with tenure is absolutely beyond the pale. This is what tenure is _for._
There's not a lot I can do from my position, but hopefully I can help the algorithm along to make this as loud as possible.
Their behavior in this instance makes me ashamed to call Millsaps my Alma Mater.
I've heard of several universities doing this. It's crazy.
Because promotion in a liberal arts college, and most universities, is a DEI (Didn't Earn It) thing.
We all know that now.
The question is, are we going to continue to speak around it, or confront the LEFTISTS responsible?
This IS a political issue. Don't pretend it isn't.
These people know what's coming and are happy to oblige, for as much as the right loves to say academia has been captured by the left, this is a curious phenomenon isn't it?
Let your voice soar above the clouds dr. Sledge! I'm mainly leaving this simple message of support for the algorithm. Whether via indirect pressure or direct action I hope this gets settled in most rational and ethical way possible. Solidarity to people and comrades working as education workers of any sort! Millsaps College reputation is at stake and let it be so.
It's a sad day when an educational institution discourages freedom of expression. Research (including the esoteric) requires it. This is not the time to capitulate.
Been the staple now for decades.
Hitting the like, copy link, and comment buttons. Solidarity from Canada.
Thank you for publicizing this. Sounds like a worthy and important cause! We've all benefited from the education you received, and it's great that you can use your platform to give back like this.
I appreciate you taking a stand for your teacher and free speech
Absolutely No apology necessary, Dr. Sledge. Free speech is something I believe in and has been coming under fire more and more in recent years, and it is beyond concerning. I also think it’s touching that you are sticking up for a man that had such a positive impact on your life. I hope this is resolved quickly and amends are made.
no apologies needed thanks for carring about the injustice done to Dr. James Bowley and the academic freedom that keep our institutions great places to study
It’s alright Dr. Sledge. As an Alumni of Temple U., who watched the student union fight it out last year, I feel you. It’s an uncanny thing to be talking about The Inquisition one day and find some concerning parallels in our modern times the next.
That's why I talk about the past because as Faulkner reminds us "the past isn't dead, it isn't even past"
The past isn't the past because people haven't changed.
Dr. Sledge, everyone who loves this channel knows and understands that without this kind of freedom, we would not have Esoterica. Thank you for posting this.
Thank you for standing up for academic freedom and your professor, Dr Sledge. With love, respect and solidarity from an educator in the UK.
My support to the professor, I've been there before I had the opportunity of becoming a professor. I am in Chile.
Commenting for the algorithm so hopefully as many people can as possible can see it. As a current adult college student myself, educators have every right to express their opinion and this is a blatant suppression of free speech! Justice for Dr. Bowley. No need to apologize!
No apology needed. Thank you for standing up for free speech!
I’m with you, Dr. Sledge, and am commenting to help with engagement. Thank you for your work and for your stance.
Never apologize for your passions, Dr. Sledge, for those that showed you the light!
I did expect to hear this when I clicked on this video, you are correct in that regard. But this is EXACTLY the kind of content I subscribe for.
I looked up the controversy and Dr. Bowley did not even share his opinion in a classroom setting. He SENT AN EMAIL. Private speech. I think he should be able to share his opinions in any setting including his classroom. Professors profess. I agree with you, Justin. This is disgusting. You have every right to defend your teacher because indirectly he is our teacher as well.
Absolutely, yes! I ❤ "indirectly he is our teacher as well."
Thank you for looking it up. That seems quite ridiculous.
Especially in the context of the class. It was "Abortions and Religion". How exactly are you meant to teach a class about the theology of abortion without sharing political views?
@@winterthemuteson Good point!
He sent an email saying that he would cancel the next class due to the results of the election. I think it's unacceptable.
The most awful part of it, is that the people who have been whining about free speech when it isn under attack, are the ones on the side of the universities when it is under attack. Glad you and more like you are bringing this issue to more light.
I respect this a lot, Dr. Sledge. I hope it makes a difference. Not much I can do except hope for the best, but it's refreshing to see people defending free speech that are, well, *actually* defending free speech. I think those are values worth defending and I hope you succeed.
Dr. Sledge, you don't need to apologize for anything. Part of the reason many of us are so invested in the topics you educate us about is because we're interested in preserving knowledge and protecting the integrity of the academic process. It is our duty to stand by educators when they are wrongly persecuted. Millsaps deserves better, we deserve better, academia deserves better.
Doctor, I for one would appreciate the occasional update on this matter on subsequent videos. Good luck on your noble mission.
I join you in asking for updates.
Thank you for standing up for academic freedom, Justin. ✊🤓🏴
I have gained immeasurable amounts of knowledge from your channel.
I am so sorry for your professor and any other college prof that has been silenced. I’ll share this on my socials.
No apologies needed. Freedom of speech is HIGHLY important.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Academic censorship is out of control. Free speech is fundamental.
i will be sharing this with everyone i can, attacks on academia and free speech cannot be tolerated. thank you for speaking out.
As a professor in Mississippi, I am profoundly unsurprised. We are all awaiting what legislation is passed when the new state legislature comes in.
Free speech in America must not be censored.
I signed up for anything you have to say and will continue to support you and your channel. This was timely and relevant. Thank you, Sir.
This video perfectly captures the spirit of millsaps college! If you're considering applying or just want to learn more about the culture at Millsaps College, this is a must-watch!
Thank you for sharing this. This is absolutely unacceptable, especially in the academy. I wish I was a donor, I would withdraw all financial support.
Glad FIRE is involved. They do good work and they’re not partisan. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue.
💯
@@TheEsotericaChannel If you look into them beyond the surface level they're absolutely a partisan organization. I absolutely agree that this SHOULDN'T be a partisan issue nor am I accusing you of being on any side of the political spectrum because that simply isn't relevant. I do however feel the need to point out that any digging into FIRE will absolutely reveal connections and biases to the right, including strong affiliations with Turning Point USA, and being funded by the Charles Koch institute and the Sarah Scaife foundation. The Sarah Scaife foundation being originally designed to fund the humanities and the arts before being hijacked by her son after her death and now funds anti-immigration causes mostly.
@@thefool4407 correct. They defend conservatives when they are being disciplined for ideological reasons. And in this case they are defending a progressive for his ideological stance. They defend academics regardless of partisan alignment. They’ve been at the forefront of calling out ideologically motivated crackdown on anti-Israel protestors this past year. Lots of conservatives support FIRE because frequently it’s the conservatives and TPU types who are on the receiving end of the censorship-but not always, as with this case and many others.
@danhogan1963 oh I completely agree. Im not saying theyre going to sabotage this because its a left leaning project and I do believe that the vast majority of the people for FIRE do just sincerely care about free speech. But the fact is they do get funding from very outwardly right wing organisations, have thinly veiled right wing rhetoric on their website thats immediately obvious if you know anything about right wing talking points and theyve also dabbled in more edge cases (like they were involved in the case of a college refusing to fund student groups that refused students of certain groups (lgbt people mostly) based on religion). But I absolutely agree that they will help I just think that its misleading to say theyre not partisan just because they say they arent on their website
@@thefool4407 However ugly that background might be, their actions speak. Simultaneous to this they've stepped up to defend J Ann Selzer from legal attacks by Donald Trump himself.
This was a great talk. I was in University (Music and composition) in the 1980s and things were already changing then. Partly, the lack of free thinking of the students (I learned to regurgitate what the profs wanted), and then the slow devolution from Socratic thinking to the mindless doctrinal think we have today.
No apologies needed my dear friend. It’s of utmost importance for someone in your position to share this ESPECIALLY in this ( your )channel. We are with you DR. Sledge !!!
Dear Dr. Ledge, you have already said it all: UTTERLY OUTRAGEOUS!!!! Absurd!!!!! Shame on them!!!
Stay vigilant!
You said it yourself - absolutely outrageous. Good on you for bringing light to this situation, and I’m sure I speak for all of us regular viewers when I say that there’s no need to apologise for it. Shame on Millsaps College. We cannot tolerate this behaviour and attack on free speech and academia.
Dr. Sledge, I have always respected you, but now I admire you. You shine that beam of integrity and principle as much as you can ! #freethespeech
Thank you for taking a stand. Sharing with my teacher friends.
Solidarity with Prof. Bowley, Dr. Sledge, and the right of tenured professors of religion and philosophy everywhere to speak freely, without fear from Kafkaesque admins.
@@urgeintheicebox leave Kafka out of this, Sir.
I am with you and Prof. Bowley.
I am watching from across the ocean and can only believe that this will become more common over there.
Wishing everyone all the best.
More common? Where have you been for the last decade? Many professors have lost their jobs for speaking out on issues.
@@StephensCrazyHour It's been pretty common over here for quite a while at least going back to the 50s when left-wingers were getting thrown out by right-wing establishments then the Poles shift and then from the late 70s onto now it's been left-wingers in charge of most establishments and right-wingers getting kicked out. It's been people on both sides for forever but that's how the tides have gone through. However at least in the United States people have a case to stand on when this happens and they can take on the administrations and usually win
I thank you for sharing your concern for free speech @ Millsaps !
Send them Millsaps admins to Liverpool, we'll re-educate them for ya😅
Seriously though, you did the right thing putting this up on the channel❤
😂 thnx for the chuckle. Needed it.
Ppl are so scared rn that their fear is overriding their compassion, sense, and professional. All ppl need to hold onto their courage and each other more than ever. Rise up relatives ❤❤
Having searched and found a thorough explanation of the basic issues in this case, I agree with you that Milsaps’ treatment of Dr. Bowles is egregious and one of a series of recent attacks on academic freedom and freedom of expression. I’m sorry for the professor’s troubles. It’s so devastating to see what’s happening to our country’s once proud academic community.
The professor has a history of harassing students who have opposing views and vandalizing property.
@@neilthomaswallin514 Your statement 's ambiguity argues against you.
1. Show proof.
2. You imply that Dr. Bowley (or Dr. SLEDGE?) has committed vandalism. Learn some grammar before you comment.
Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do! No apology needed!
Appreciate you making this video and sharing it with your viewers. Solidarity 🙏🥰🤘🏼
Folks, we have a saying down here, a warning to the rest of the country: "Mississippi is your future." Do not look away from the things that happen here. Why? Because it's terrible here, and that is completely by design.
I feel ya from Tennessee.
I will definitely write a strongly worded letter. Thank you for sharing this.
I can’t imagine this happening 25 years ago when I went to my own liberal arts college 😢😢😢
It's outrageous that any administration would think this is appropriate.
Great Job Dr Sledge!! we should shame and defund treacherous institutions
Thank you Dr. Sledge
mentioning Millsaps to boost engagement!!