California college trustee apologizes for remarks
California college trustee is forced to apologize after he was recorded saying anyone opposing woke anti-racism and ‘equity’ measures should be ‘roped’ and taken to the SLAUGHTERHOUSE
- John Corkins was recorded saying professors who oppose anti-racism and equity measures should be ‘taken to the slaughterhouse’
- His remarks came amid a discussion about racism at Bakersfield College
- Students and staff accused a coalition of professors of creating a hostile environment for students of color
- Corkins now says he only meant to show his support for the students and staff that spoke out at the Kern Community College District meeting
A California college trustee was forced to apologize after he was recorded saying that professors who oppose anti-racism and ‘equity’ measures should be ‘roped’ and taken to the slaughterhouse.’
John Corkins made the controversial remarks at the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees meeting on December 13, after students and faculty spoke about racial issues at Bakersfield College.
He now says he only meant to show his support for those who spoke about the alleged racism on the campus — particularly from a group of professors who have spoken out against woke Diversity, Equity and Inclusion measures.
‘I apologize to anyone who felt threatened or was offended,’ Corkins, the vice president of the board of trustees told The College Fix in a statement. ‘My intent was to emphasize that the individuals who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting have my full support.’
John Corkins, the vice president of the Kern Community College District Board of Trustee, said at a meeting last month that professors who oppose woke ideals should be ‘taken to the slaughterhouse’
Corkins was recorded at the meeting last month speaking about a ‘segment’ of ‘abusive’ faculty that ‘we have to continue to cull.
‘Got them in my livestock operation and that’s why we put a rope on some of them and take them to the slaughterhouse,’ he said, turning to his fellow trustees, one of whom laughed at the suggestion.
‘That’s a fact of life with human nature and so forth, I don’t know how to say it any clearer.’
The remarks came amid a discussion about racism on the Bakersfield campus, after a survey found that students of color suffered more racial microaggressions and physical and verbal attacks than white students.
Black students and faculty at the meeting largely blamed a group of professors opposed to diversity, equity and inclusion programs. They said the Renegade Institute for Liberty, founded by tenured history Professors Matthew Garret and Erin Miller, made them feel unsafe on campus.
The group describes itself online as ‘a coalition of Bakersfield College faculty dedicated to the free speech, open inquiry [and] critical thinking to advance American ideals within the broader Western tradition of meritocracy, individual agency, civic virtue, liberty of conscience and free markets.
‘Through intellectual exploration and reason, the Institute works to preserve each of the above virtues as necessary for a free people and to advance the cause of liberty in America.’
Tenured history professors Matthew Garret and Erin Miller founded The Renegade Institute for Liberty at Bakersfield College
The group says it is dedicated to ‘the free speech, open inquiry [and] critical thinking to advance American ideals,’ but some students and staff claimed it is creating a hostile environment for students of color on campus
But Dr. Paula Parks, an English professor at the school, for example, said the coalition has accused her of only teaching non-white students and criticized a safe space program on the campus as ‘segregationist’ and involving ‘the improper use of state dollars,’ according to The Porterville Recorder.
Dr. Paula Parks, an English professor, spoke out against the coalition, saying it has targeted her students
Parks — who founded the Umoja program, designed to increase the success and retention of African American students — also claimed that her students have been targeted by the group under the ‘guise’ of free speech.
‘Free speech has to be something you have a reasonable belief is true,’ she said at the public meeting, according to KGET, ‘but they are saying things they know are lies, and they are trying to incite anger and create an unsafe environment.
‘And my students deserve to have a safe, supportive environment in which to learn.’
A clinical psychologist speaking on behalf of the Dolores Huerta Foundation then went on to ‘demand that these professors’ not be allowed to teach.
An unnamed source in favor of the Institute, however, told The College Fix that those who complained at the board meeting ‘failed to provide any specific examples of racism or “hate speech.”‘
A survey at Bakersfield College found that students of color suffered more racial microaggressions and physical and verbal attacks than white students
Still, District Chancellor Sonya Christian said the district will work with its legal team on the issue to ensure it is dealt with ‘systematically and sensitively.’
She said the board would discuss the matter in a closed session of its January meeting — but Corkins decided at that point he had to speak out against the professors, leading to his controversial remarks.
‘I don’t believe this is who we are, and I don’t believe it’s going that way,’ he began. ‘I think there’s a segment, a small percent of people that are abusive, disrespectful, whatever you want to call it. I don’t think we’re that way.
‘We’ve got to get the bad actors out of the room,’ he continued. ‘It really bothers me that bad actors are paid staff and faculty.’
Corkins acknowledged that he understands there’s a legal process involved when it comes to removing faculty, and told The College Fix he just meant to show his support for the students and staff when he made the ‘livestock’ comment.
‘Bakersfield College student Jordan Davis, BC professor Dr. Paula Parks, and several statewide representatives from the Umoja program — which is dedicated to improving educational outcomes for African American students, bravely shared their feelings of fear based on the actions of a small group of faculty members and their feelings of disappointment in the district for allowing these actions to continue.’
Corkins said his remarks were regrettable, but said: ‘I believe all students, staff and faculty in our district have an unequivocal right to feel safe and accepted as they pursue their educational goals or assist students in completing their degree certificates or upper division transfers.
‘I will continue to support the Bakersfield College community to ensure that right.’
Source: Read Full Article