BJ Rye Professor – How did she become a part of Racist Bigot? The Truth Exposed (Update 2024)
According to her students, a white UW professor uttered the N-word in class, and now there are rising calls for the institution to fire the professor.
BJ Rye, a white professor of human sexuality, frequently used the N-word in front of the class. She was warned by her friend that it was inappropriate and that it made us feel uneasy before using the word. On March 10, 2020, UW student Juleah Garcia tweeted.
Garcia then went on to describe how BJ Rye Professor equated the word “gay” to the N-word.
When Garcia told BJ Rye Professor that the N-word has been employed to silence Black people, Rye responded that the word “gay” is used to abuse homosexuals. BJ Rye Professor further informed Garcia that “making people uncomfortable” is part of the academic experience.
This incident occurred on Mar. 4, 2020.
Rebecca Elming, a UW official said that there is not a single place for the usage of the N-word in a classroom, on campus, or in our community, according to the University of Waterloo. They regret that a St. Jerome’s University staff member used such offensive language, and they also regret that the students in the class believed that their issues were not taken seriously.
The president of St. Jerome’s University, a school affiliated with the University of Waterloo, and the University of Waterloo leadership will discuss additional steps that can be taken to ensure that racist language is never used and that every student feels safe to voice their concerns in every class and is respected when they do.
Apology statement of BJ Rye Professor
On June 3, 2020, St. Jerome’s University (SJU) issued a statement outlining Rye’s apology to the two students in writing on March 12 and to the entire class through Learn on March 14.
According to the statement, BJ Rye Professor changed the format of her lectures after receiving a formal complaint on March 14 and has been taking part in anti-racism and equality training seminars offered by UW Human Rights, equality, and Inclusion (HREI).
The sentence initially struck me as being quite performative. a ruse to save face in light of the protests against the violence Black people have been subjected to all over the world.
Nyah Ainoo, the president of UWBASE, and Rudi Nkem, a member of BASE, said Imprint in a statement: “It is extremely disappointing that it took Black people dying for the University of Waterloo to at last come out on and recognize the racial prejudice that is taking place on its campus and to finally act.”
Nyah Ainoo, the president of UWBASE
Rudi Nkem, a member of BASE
Furthermore, there was no indication in the statement that they were paying attention to their concerns before this point.
More Black academics, advisors, and health professionals, and increased financing for campus volunteer student-run organizations that regularly serve the interests of Black people have all been requested by Black students. The requirements that they have long ignored.
Many students expressed the opinion that BJ Rye Professor is unfit for employment and that UW should fire her. A petition that calls on UW and SJU to hold BJ Rye Professor responsible for her behavior has also been created by students.
“Do you think this makes us feel safe?” asked Ainoo and Nkem. They feel mistreated and cast aside as a result. Their efforts are insufficient. The statement ignores the entire effects of the professor’s actions on the learning environment and, consequently, on any Black or student of color’s wellness.
Everyone can teach staff employees to prevent this problem from happening again in the future, nevertheless, Professor BJ Rye deserves to be punished responsibly. She shouldn’t be a teacher at this institution if she can’t be attentive to the complex difficulties raised by the usage of the N-word.
All staff and students were informed via email on June 1, 2020, by UW President Feridun Hamdullahpur, that the university rejects racism and will not put up with the hateful viewpoints of racists.
Hamdullahpur wrote in the email, “We need to demonstrate to folks who encounter discrimination that we firmly agree with them as well as will continue to put in the effort required to bring about constructive change.
UW made a message on Instagram using the account @uofwaterloo.
Many students are calling for professors who behave in a racist manner, like BJ Rye Professor, to suffer the consequences of their actions.
Ainoo and Nkem stated that some measures may be implemented, including representation, substantive action, money, a diversified curriculum, suitable and reasonable penalties, and enough training.
The Black Lives Matter movement and community-based organizations working to advance racial fairness in the Region of Waterloo will each receive $1,000 from the University of Waterloo Graduate Student Association (GSA), according to their announcement. WUSA gave a similar $10,000 donation after that. UW hasn’t yet made any such announcements, though.
Ainoo and Nkem said that the University must provide sufficient funding for volunteer student-run (unpaid) organizations like
- UWRAISE
- UWBASE
- UWASA
and others that close the structural gaps in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) support and assist the students who are frequently ignored after encountering racism on campus.
What exactly constitutes discrimination?
Any employee who is authorized to take, direct others to take, recommend, or approve personnel actions is prohibited from doing the following under Section 2302(b) of Title 5 of the United States Code: Discriminating on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental impairment, marriage status, or political affiliation.
They assign student-run organizations like BASE, which charge $75 per term, the responsibility of integrating racialized students into the university as well as offering secure spaces.
They too require assistance, not only to be heard. A building with millions of visitors cannot be made safer by one person acting alone. The University hasn’t historically provided these groups with enough support.
The lack of variety among UW’s academics and staff has also dissatisfied students.
They have attended this university for two years, and not ONE Black professor has ever taught them. Is there a problem here? Black people are not appropriately represented in health services, nor do they see them across the desks of equity offices, faculty, or department chairs, according to Ainoo and Nkem.
The institution must realize that having unequal and inadequate representation on campus has long-term consequences, many of which are harmful to Black people.
Hamdullahpur added that UW will host training sessions later this month facilitated by Kike Ojo-Thompson from the Kojo Institute, and several activities would be held throughout June to advance equity and combat tyranny.
According to Hamdullahpur, they recognize that while training is important, it is not sufficient to lay the groundwork for the kind of action that may and must be taken. As always, there is more that they are to do in the days, weeks, and months ahead to combat prejudice and discrimination in our society,
What is the caliber of the BJ Rye Professor at her university?
Even though the entire case covers the traits and actions of BJ Rye Professor, I have some screenshots that help to clarify.
Conclusion
Although training might be beneficial in avoiding future racist encounters, they ought to also consider their hiring procedures. In this regard, the University has several options.
Today’s recruiting and enrollment processes can include inclusion specialists. In the end, the University needs to comprehend how deeply established and institutionalized racial discrimination is within this institution.
Before beginning to teach any course, all faculty members should complete this training, which should be developed with input from student leaders.
The establishment of a student representative role should also be taken into consideration by the school.
In matters like employment procedures and student recruiting, this student would serve as a representative of the Black and colored community.
At last, it is a matter of racism and it should be stopped!
