Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • The Soho Forum Debates
    • Just Asking Questions
    • The Best of Reason Magazine
    • Why We Can't Have Nice Things
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Donate Crypto
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Print Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Subscriber Support

Login Form

Create new account
Forgot password

Campus Free Speech

UVA Prof 'Agrees' to Leave of Absence After Criticizing Black Lives Matter

Did the university force him?

Robby Soave | 10.10.2016 11:20 AM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL
Media Contact & Reprint Requests
Large image on homepages | Queer bubbles / Wikimedia Commons
(Queer bubbles / Wikimedia Commons)
UVA
Queerbubbles / Wikimedia Commons

Did the University of Virginia force an engineering and business professor to take a leave of absence because he made a negative comment about Black Lives Matter? It certainly looks like it.

Last week, Doug Muir wrote on Facebook, "Black lives matter is the biggest racist organization since the clan. Are you kidding me? Disgusting!!!"

I don't agree with this comment—Black Lives Matter is bringing much-needed attention to important issues like police brutality, even if I disagree with some of their more extreme tactics and views about wealth redistribution. Obviously, BLM is not a domestic terrorist organization on par with the Klu Klux Klan.

But if Muir thinks so, that's his right. The proper response is to criticize him, not censor him.

Unfortunately, UVA has seemingly opted for the latter approach. In a statement, university administrators explained that Muir has "agreed to take leave":

While free speech and open discussion are fundamental principles of our nation and the University, Mr. Muir's comment was entirely inappropriate. UVA Engineering does not condone actions that undermine our values, dedication to diversity and educational mission. Our faculty and staff are responsible for upholding our values and demonstrating them to students and the community. Mr. Muir has agreed to take leave and is preparing his own statement to the community.

Well, was Muir given a choice? It sounds like the university made him take a leave of absence as punishment for speaking his mind about BLM.

It's important for a university to play host to a wide range of views about important public policy topics. No one should be punished for saying something politically incorrect about BLM.

I reached out to the university for comment. A spokesperson did not immediately respond.

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

NEXT: More Lives Sabotaged by National Faux-Sex-Trafficking Witch-Hunt

Robby Soave is a senior editor at Reason.

Campus Free SpeechFree Speech
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Show Comments (78)

Latest

Blame California Politicians for the State's Sky-High Gasoline Prices

J.D. Tuccille | 7.11.2025 7:00 AM

Review: The Endless Summer Chases the Perfect Surf Conditions Around the Globe

Liz Wolfe | From the August/September 2025 issue

Brickbat: Shocking Mistake

Charles Oliver | 7.11.2025 4:00 AM

Trump Wants Harvard To Hand Over Info on Over 10,000 International Students

Autumn Billings | 7.10.2025 5:18 PM

The People Who Wrecked N.Y. Schools Love Zohran Mamdani

Matt Welch | 7.10.2025 5:03 PM

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Shop
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS

© 2024 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

r

Do you care about free minds and free markets? Sign up to get the biggest stories from Reason in your inbox every afternoon.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

This modal will close in 10

Reason Plus

Special Offer!

  • Full digital edition access
  • No ads
  • Commenting privileges

Just $25 per year

Join Today!