On the evening of June 3rd, 2021, a Brooklyn College art professor was apprehended by police after brandishing a machete and threatening a New York Post journalist. The incident occurred outside the professor’s home in the Prospect-Lefferts Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn.
According to reports, the journalist had been attempting to interview the professor about a controversial tweet he had posted earlier that day. The tweet in question read, “What is happening to our country? Why are white men so violent?” The tweet had sparked outrage among some members of the community, who felt that it was racially charged and inflammatory.
When the journalist arrived at the professor’s home to ask him about the tweet, he was met with hostility. The professor reportedly became agitated and began shouting at the journalist, eventually pulling out a machete and threatening him. The journalist was able to escape unharmed and immediately called the police.
When police arrived on the scene, they found the professor still holding the machete. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with menacing, criminal possession of a weapon, and harassment.
The incident has sparked a heated debate about free speech and academic freedom. Many people have come to the professor’s defense, arguing that he has a right to express his opinions without fear of retribution. Others have criticized his behavior, arguing that his actions were violent and threatening.
In a statement released after the incident, Brooklyn College President Michelle Anderson condemned the professor’s behavior. “We do not condone violence or threats of violence in any form,” she said. “We are committed to fostering an environment of open dialogue and respectful discourse, and we will not tolerate behavior that undermines those values.”
The incident has also raised questions about mental health and the pressures facing academics in today’s society. Many people have pointed out that professors are under increasing pressure to publish controversial work and to engage in public debates about sensitive topics. This pressure can take a toll on mental health and lead to erratic behavior.
Overall, the incident involving the Brooklyn College art professor has sparked a heated debate about free speech, academic freedom, and mental health. While the professor’s behavior was certainly alarming, it is important to remember that he is entitled to his opinions and that we must find ways to engage in respectful dialogue even when we disagree.
