Fallout From Terrorism Hits the Classroom

Re “OCC Teacher on Leave After Clash,” Sept. 22:

I have worked both with professor Ken Hearlson and Muslim students at Orange Coast College for 16 years. A number of important issues are being ignored in the coverage of this story that I think are rather important.

Hearlson posed a syllogism to his political science class: “Why do some Muslims condemn the World Trade Center bombing and not the suicide bombers in Jerusalem?” The subsequent progression was that if suicide bombers in Jerusalem are Muslim terrorists, and one does not condemn these acts, than one must support Muslim terrorists. This logic is impeccable.

It is not surprising that tempers flared and exchanges became heated. A good teacher provokes his students as a way of forcing them to think about their positions and their ramifications. Hearlson has the 1st Amendment right and the guarantee of academic freedom to speak his mind, as does any student in his classes. He provides an open forum in his classes and encourages discourse. For the district administration to place him on extended leave of absence, albeit paid, before even his union could represent him is unconscionable. It would appear the terrorists have scored one off the Coast Community College District.

Susan L. Smith

Professor of History

Orange Coast College