WELLESLEY — Asheen Phansey was the sustainability director at Babson College in Wellesley and an adjunct professor.
He was suspended and ultimately fired from the school after a personal Facebook post suggests Iran attack 52 American cultural sites.
His post, a response to President Trump’s tweet to Iraq, which read: "targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago.”
Here’s what the Boston Herald said Phansey wrote on Facebook:
In retaliation, Ayatollah Khomenei should tweet a list of 52 sites of beloved American cultural heritage that he would bomb. Um… Mall of America? Kardashian residence?
Phansey told Boston 25 the post was meant as a joke. He apologized, saying:
I regret my bad attempt at humor. As an American, born and raised, I was trying to juxtapose our “cultural sites” with ancient Iranian churches and mosques. I am completely opposed to violence and would never advocate it by anyone. I am sorry that my sloppy humor was read as a threat. I condemn all acts of violence.
On Thursday evening, Babson College told Boston 25 News, “Babson College conducted a prompt and thorough investigation related to a post shared on a staff member’s personal Facebook page that does not represent the values and culture of the College. Based on the results of the investigation, the staff member is no longer a Babson College employee. As we have previously stated, Babson College condemns any type of threatening words and/or actions condoning violence and/or hate.”
Kellie Jackson is a professor at Wellesley College.
“If it’s meant to be a joke I can understand. how you can make light of something like that… targeting the Kardashians is really funny. But at the same time what we’re dealing with (something that) is really serious," Jackson said.
Serious or not, Adam Steinbaugh, director of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, said the group decries Phansey’s suspension.
“People are going to disagree with his views, but the First Amendment and freedom of speech don’t get suspended when we’re in hostile relations," Steinbaugh said.
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