I REFER to Thursday's commentary, 'What academic freedom?' While the points raised have merit, it is important to note that there are ramifications to what an individual chooses to express in his personal capacity in the public sphere, on his professional life. It is perhaps even naive to think the two can be compartmentalised.
This is especially so considering that Professor Thio Li-ann's vehemently anti-gay views are in conflict with the fundamental meaning of human rights - the basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled, a component of which arguably includes gay rights - that she was engaged to teach at New York University (NYU).
Look at it this way: If a gay individual in Singapore were to stand up and openly flaunt his sexuality in a conservative company or society at large in government-deemed conservative Singapore, then he should be prepared for the professional, social and even economic consequences such as discrimination in the workplace.
The environment one chooses to work, live and play in comes into focus. The operative word here is choice.
Prof Thio had chosen to take up a position to teach human rights at NYU, a place where themes like diversity and inclusion are not just tolerated but accepted and perhaps even celebrated. Thus, she should have been prepared for her strong anti-gay views and beliefs, which she had so willingly volunteered in the public sphere, to be dissected in such manner by the students and faculty of NYU.
Prof Thio is not a victim here.
In fact, this is an illustration that discriminatory viewpoints which may have widespread acceptance in Singapore, where discrimination against homosexuals is built into the legal framework, are simply not tolerated in other parts of the world that embrace the true meaning of human rights.
Kudos to the 808 students and faculty members who signed the online petition opposing Prof Thio's appointment at NYU to teach human rights in Asia, calling it 'inappropriate and offensive'.
Indeed, how can anyone even consider the importance of academic freedom on par with basic human freedom?
First published in ST Forum, Online Story, August 1, 2009 Source: Academic freedom not on par with basic human freedom http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_410761.html
