EMU Prof sues after suspension for using racist acronym in Facebook post

[TexasTowelie]

YPSILANTI, MI -- An Eastern Michigan University history professor is suing on claims that his free speech was infringed upon after he referred to administrators as “well-paid white guys in suits” and used a racist acronym in a 2017 Facebook post.

Mark Higbee, who’s taught at EMU since 1994, made the comments on an EMU-focused Facebook group page criticizing the university’s reaction in the aftermath of a rash of racist graffiti found on the campus in October 2017.

Eastern Michigan University Mark Higbee lawsuit excerpt containing Facebook post that led to his suspension. Gus Burns | [e-mail]

The university says the rules violation lies with Higbee’s use of “HN in C" an acronym that stands for “head n***** in charge.” The administration suspended Higbee without pay for one semester in December 2017, but the disciplinary ruling was reversed in arbitration the following summer.

Despite the reversal, the university “firmly” stands behind its decision to suspend the professor, and plans to defend itself “vigorously” in regard to Higbee’s civil lawsuit, acccording to a statement issued Dec. 6.

Read more: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2018/12/emu-prof-sues-after-being-suspended-for-calling-administrators-well-paid-white-guys-in-suits.html