Homosexuality editorial puts 1st Amendment on trial

WND ^ | December 02, 2008

[Joiseydude]

A woman is suing the university where she worked for firing her over a privately written newspaper commentary expressing her Christian views on homosexuality.

Crystal Dixon, the former associate vice president of human resources at the University of Toledo, was fired in May after she objected to an opinion article in the Toledo Free Press that compared striving for "gay rights" with the civil rights struggles of black Americans.

Dixon responded with a Free Press editorial of her own, written not in her capacity as a university employee but as a private citizen.

"As a Black woman," Dixon wrote, "I take great I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are 'civil rights victims.' Here's why. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a black woman. I am genetically and biologically a black woman and very pleased to be so as my Creator intended."

University of Toledo President Lloyd Jacobs immediately suspended Dixon and condemned her statements. Within days, Dixon was fired.

[Mr. K]

"University of Toledo President Lloyd Jacobs immediately suspended Dixon and condemned her statements."

WTF??/ So blatant???? geez... I hope she wins a TON of money

[Rebelbase]

She committed a thought-crime.

[steve-b]

I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a black....

OK, so if Michael Jackson ends up in court again, we only need eleven more people who have never heard of him....

[steve-b]

What for? She doesn’t “own” the job; the employer does.

[jazzlite]

...”Such actions “come out of the Stalinist, Soviet state. This is the kind of elimination of any expression of differences of opinion [found there].”

This is their goal. There is nothing new “under the sun.” We have seen this before in fascist states. I hope the American people will awaken to the danger inherent in this and I hope the attempts to rob this woman and all of us of our free speech rights will not be tolerated in our courts.

[Joe Boucher]

So how long til the “magic negro” opens re-education camps for those who think innappopriately?

[MrLee]

” I hope the American people will awaken to the danger inherent in this and I hope the attempts to rob this woman and all of us of our free speech rights will not be tolerated in our courts. “

Too late. Those days are now gone in the good ole USA.

[SECURE AMERICA]

A woman is suing the university where she worked for firing her over a privately written newspaper commentary expressing her Christian views on homosexuality.

Ms Dixon learned a lesson most already knew. The Ist Amendment only applies to liberals, the homosexual mafia, socialists and other assorted anarchist on Americas college campuses. Christians and Real Americans need not apply.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

The First Amendment was written to limit the powers of the government, not the University of Toledo.
It was unfair to fire her but should not be illegal. Probably is; but shouldn’t be. And if UT is quasi-govt because supported by govt, it shouldn’t be.

[olezip]

"As a Black woman," Dixon wrote, "I take great I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are 'civil rights victims.' Here's why. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a black woman. I am genetically and biologically a black woman and very pleased to be so as my Creator intended."

University of Toledo President Lloyd Jacobs immediately suspended Dixon and condemned her statements. Within days, Dixon was fired.

Lloyd Jacobs condemned himself and the University of Toledo by his action. He is a very, very sick person. Clearly he is a Democrat because he has a mental disorder. I find it sad and somewhat frustrating to not be able to have an intelligent, rational conversation with a Liberal.

[Dr. Sivana]

And if UT is quasi-govt because supported by govt, it shouldn’t be.

University of Toledo is not "quasi-government," it is a government run public school.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

It shouldn’t be.

[Loud Mime]

More proof that Liberals are the most intolerant people in politics.

[nathanbedford]

The First Amendment was written to limit the powers of the government, not the University of Toledo.

You make an interesting distinction and one which occurred to me as well. The question is, when does a public or a quasi public institution become the government? If the university is supported by government monies is it government? If it is granted some police powers by the state, such as the powers to police its campus, is it the government? If it is excused from certain obligations such as paying taxes of various sorts or living up to normal contract obligations, for example, relating to the quality of the education that it delivers, does become the government for some purposes?

Now, if an institution is granted governmental powers are we then wise to be very careful about letting it operate on the one hand as the government and on the other hand is a private institution? I think that a quasi public institution such as a public school Must be very careful about how it regulates free speech or other conduct. After all, the students as a practical matter are compelled to be there. But what about a university where the compulsion is less?

On the other hand, if institution is private and character we would be wise not to try to interfere with its rights to regulate the conduct of its employees because to do so would Impose government censorship on private speech which might be even worse than a quasi public institution censoring free speech itself.

This path gets very thorny as left-wing politicians look for institutions like hospitals and medical care and educational establishments to fund and thereafter claim that they can control the institutions because they are taxpayer supported.

I don't know anything about the University of Toledo except this Dean who censures free-speech is an ass. Until I know more about the institution, I don't know which way to jump on the issue as a legal or constitutional question.

One last thought, our views on whether the speech should be privileged should not be determined by whether or not we support homosexuality or this woman's views about it.

[NavVet]

She admitted being both a Christian and to not buying into the radical homosexual agenda and then expected to stay employed at an American University. Clearly, she had the mistaken belief that her own minority status was sufficient protection. Someone should have introduced her to Clarance Thomas. The left reserves their most vicious attacks for any minority that tries to flee the plantation.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

The First Amendment was written to limit the powers of the government, not the University of Toledo.

The Second Amendment was written to limit the powers of the University of Toledo.

First, Second, Third, who's counting anymore???

[bvw]

Black women are the ones at the front lines on this. They experience the net social effect most harshly.

[Andonius_99]

What for? She doesn’t “own” the job; the employer does.

True, but I believe University of Toledo is a public university and receives public funds (i.e. taxpayer money), I don't think they can legally suppress freedom of speech. If they were a private university, that would be another matter.

[relictele]

Don’t worry - they will ban Orwell on campus!