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University of Iowa Professor Under Fire for Brash Email

University of Iowa Professor Under Fire for Brash Email
4/22/2011
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Suada Kolovic

University of Iowa Professor Ellen Lewin had some choice words to the school’s chapter of College Republicans: F- YOU! According to the Iowa City Press Citizen, the message was sent in response to a mass email from a campus Republican group promoting “Conservative Coming Out Week,” a week for conservatives in Iowa City to “come out of the closet” and promote right-wing values. The events included a screening of the 2002 film “Journey’s with George,” in honor of George W. Bush, a blood drive and an “Animal Rights BBQ.”

Less than a minute after the email was sent, Lewin fired back with “F- YOU, REPUBLICANS.” According to reports, she took issue with the tone of the email which she claimed used the rhetoric of traditionally marginalized groups to announce conservative events. Lewin was also offended by the belittling of animal rights and an event mocking the Wisconsin union protests.

Iowa Federation of College Republicans Chair and IU student Natalie Ginty responded to the vulgar message by requesting a public apology. "We understand that as a faculty member she has the right to express her political opinion, but by leaving her credentials at the bottom of the email she was representing the University of Iowa, not herself alone," she wrote in an email to Anthropology department head James Enloe, reports the Press Citizen.

Lewin complied with Ginty’s request by apologizing for the brash language but insisted that the conservative group’s mailing was unwelcome and distasteful."I do apologize for my intemperate language, but the message you all sent out was extremely disturbing and offensive," she wrote. "I would really appreciate your not sending blanket emails to everyone on campus, especially in these difficult times." Do you think Lewin let her emotions get the best of her? Or do you think her reaction was justified? Let us know.

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