I have been listening to her story this morning and her account of what happened to her, the lobying groups like stonewall who the universities now sign up to and the point she is making about being a philosopher and freedom of speech to express your views to encourage debate. Her words have been twisted it seems to fit the narrative of certain groups. It seems she dared to say an individual can not change their biological sex but respects their identity and feels they should be protected from harassment and equal rights etc. She is saying that universities are not places you can have debates anymore if they don't fit in with a certain form, thus ending freedom of speech and free thinking.
As one of the UK’s leading gender-critical feminists, who has insisted that an individual cannot change their biological sex, Professor Stock has faced relentless criticism and abuse over the past 18 months – with blogs, petitions and Twitter users regularly demanding her dismissal for her allegedly “transphobic” views.
I feel sorry for people who get bullied and abused in the workplace and online by groups of people who are themselves against bullying and harassment because of the way they think and feel, it makes no sense to me.
I always thought from a medical/biological point of view that men and women differ in more ways than just their sexual organs, so I get what she is trying to say, that doesn't make her transphobic.
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
I totally agree with her Bella, imagine having to work in a place where people make it obvious you are loathed.
An individual cannot change their biological sex. Gender on the ether hand is a socially constructed idea/opinion of what feminine and masculine is.
The rapidly growing army of so called Single Issue Fanatics creates a toxic, warped environment where being constantly and grossly 'offended' somehow has a value.
They are also challenging hard won women's rights, women/feminists are being challenged and silenced so that 'trans' can have a voice...why should one group's rights be allowed to trample and erase another's?
The fact that universities have been infiltrated by self serving groups, that dictate the narrative in those places will be the downfall of our universities. Academics who lecture in various fields have to keep their mouths shut and they don't have a voice themselves. I think I would discourage any kids of mine to going to university now, the way things are progressing as it is not a place were you can have your own individual thoughts or voice without being shamed in some way. Everyone is entitled to have their own opinions, just like the professor said and with differing opinions should come debate, not bullying and harassment and shaming people for being a philosopher, philosophy is about thinking and debating and asking questions and having opinions.
There are so many different factions now regarding gender, most people are so confused, they stay silent rather than get it wrong and get shamed.
Agree with what you have said concerning challenging womens rights. Are these groups now controlling the unis because they can adjust young peoples thought processes at a vulnerable time in their lives? when they are looking to find their own identity and feeling they have to conform to one of these? My YD hated university for many of these reasons, the pressure to conform and express where you stood on so many issues that were not even related to her course, the political agenda at uni really depressed her.
I know education ministers in the government have backed her and condemned the bullying but what has the university done about the groups that harassed her? My daughter who is living abroad at the moment says the UK public has become a laughing stock from afar, they seem more concerned with offending small groups of people, than anything else. If these groups put as much effort and time into helping the starving, homeless, the poor and world problems, focusing on the serious global problems we might get somewhere in the bigger picture.
There is a lot to be said for being part of a group, and the support and friendship that is gained from this.
Not got much to add to what you both have said other than the country has gone bonkers! I have read articles and listened to discussions on the radio and am confused. My YD corrects us often which makes me feel we should just zip it and say nothing, ever! It’s like relearning what I’ve already learnt. I’m annoyed that the word woman, mother, breast feeding, are being replaced with words like people who menstruate and chest feeding.
If these groups put as much effort and time into helping the starving, homeless, the poor and world problems, focusing on the serious global problems we might get somewhere in the bigger picture.
That is so true!
It's an absolute mine-field these days as to what words you are & aren't allowed to use (and I am obviously not referring to derogatory or offensive words).
Free speech is all very well when it is backed up by facts. Opinions are what she is playing with, and if i am unsure as to what people are saying is offensive, I simply change the trigger word for black man.
That tells my if their comment is valid, or just bigoted.
As for this occasion, what point was she actually making? The more the merrier?