BUZZ
Says her comments are being ‘misinterpreted — intentionally and deliberately’
A Fort Hays State University psychology professor has been put on leave after, upon learning the ID of Charlie Kirk’s killer, saying white American men “are the most dangerous animals on the planet.”
In addition, Fox News reports that shortly after Kirk’s murder, Prof. Nuchelle Chance had written on Facebook “Me thinks the word ‘karma’ is appropriate,” and linked to a common “partial quote” of Kirk’s regarding the Second Amendment.
Chance told Fox News Digital in a statement her remarks were being “misinterpreted — intentionally and deliberately,” and claimed the whole imbroglio was a “manufactured outrage campaign rooted in misogynoir” (“the intersection of racism and sexism faced by Black women”).
She claimed her use of the word “animal” was “drawn from behavioral science and not meant to be degrading,” and that her academic endeavors overall are “grounded in equity and humanism, not bias”:
“My scholarship and teaching reflect a commitment to justice and inclusion. I welcome diverse perspectives in my classroom and remain committed to creating a space where every student feels seen, heard and respected,” Chance said.
“I am deeply concerned that the image of Fort Hays State University is being shaped by veiled, anonymous trolls whose goal is not dialogue, but disruption. These actors do not represent our values, and their tactics — doxxing, misrepresentation and intimidation — undermine the mission of higher education.”
Chance addressed the controversy on her TikTok page the end of last month. The video’s accompanying text reads “When #MAGA attacks … your #academicfreedom and #firstamendment rights are discarded. #CharlieKirk sympathizers think they can break me … but my resolve is different.”
Fort Hays State Chief Communications Officer Scott Cason noted the school is “reviewing this situation as a confidential personnel matter and ask[s] for […] patience as we address it with the seriousness it warrants.”
A Change.org petition created a week ago claims Chance is facing possible discipline “for expressing her personal opinions on a private social media account regarding an important and pressing issue: gun violence in the United States.”
“Her posts were contemplative discussions on the pervasive issue of gun violence affecting our nation, a topic that resonates with many and is crucial for our society to address,” the petition says. “Silencing her voice undermines not only her rights but sets a perilous precedent for others who wish to express their views on social media platforms.”
According to ResearchGate, Chance is a “social activist, educator, academic, scholar, mentor, advocate, and leader” whose research deals with “social cognition, sex and gender differences, women’s studies, race, and learning.”
Her Fort Hays State faculty page is currently inactive.
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