Title: Educational Institutions Under Threat: Minister of Education Faces Challenge in Defending Universities
Subtitle: Harassment and Threats Highlight the Urgency for Protection
In a shocking turn of events, researcher Tobias Hübinette at Karlstad University has become the target of relentless harassment. The cause? The researcher’s course on “Race and whiteness in Sweden” attracted the attention of Christian Peterson, a radical right activist with a background in the Nazi NMR movement. Peterson’s enrollment in the course quickly escalated into a campaign of intimidation and abuse.
Throughout the semester, Hübinette was bombarded with offensive messages and phone calls. Disturbingly, his personal emails were subpoenaed and published on social media platforms, along with racist posts targeting his Asian heritage. As if that wasn’t enough, Peterson’s behavior during class further escalated the situation. He would pull out a camera, leaving students feeling uncomfortable and filmed. In his podcast, Peterson would make derogatory comments about the appearance and political leanings of fellow students. The constant harassment caused numerous students to drop out, ultimately forcing the course to transition to a digital format with a different instructor.
Despite the overwhelming evidence of Peterson’s misconduct, the recent decision by Karlstad University’s disciplinary board shocked many. They allowed Peterson to remain in the course, claiming a lack of legal support for suspension. This decision has raised concerns about academic freedom and the protection of both teachers and students from harassment. University rector Jerker Moodysson, who also chairs the disciplinary committee, reserved himself from commenting on the ruling.
To make matters worse, Peterson is now reportedly calling on other right-wing extremists to join him and disrupt designated courses under what he deems the “woke industry”. Clearly, this situation requires immediate action and legislative support from Minister of Education Mats Persson (L).
Persson has previously expressed his intention to introduce a bill that would facilitate the suspension of students engaging in similar behavior. Until then, the Swedish educational community finds itself in a troubling position. A prominent figure in the Swedish national movement is actively advocating for harassment and sabotage within universities. The objective is to intimidate and silence teachers and students alike – an astounding development.
This alarming strategy shares similarities with the campaign pursued by the right-wing Swedish Democrats and the government’s undermining of public education. It is reflective of authoritarian principles and a desire to control knowledge production. However, universities serve as hubs for free thought and learning, transcending political influence. This fundamental idea is at odds with right-wing nationalism’s inclination towards control and defining what individuals should learn, rather than promoting freedom and independent thinking.
It is important to take note of similar tactics adopted in other countries, such as the United States and Great Britain, where right-wing politicians have successfully politicized research and targeted specific fields, such as gender and race studies. As noted by leading extremism researcher Mud case, numerous states in the USA have introduced legislation restricting researchers from discussing structural racism. The ultimate goal is to obtain political control over the production of knowledge, contradicting the ideals of a free society.
Further revelations came from Tobias Hübinette’s blog, indicating that a Sweden Democrat student representative with two positions of trust was involved in Karlstad University’s disciplinary committee. Despite disagreeing with the ruling, the representative claimed that Peterson, as a journalist, should be protected by Swedish press freedom legislation. This aligns with Peterson’s involvement in using defamation laws to financially burden his opponents.
These recent insights raise concerns about Minister Persson’s ability to resist pressure and defend academic freedom. Thus far, his actions have facilitated the politicization of university boards and caused concern among students and researchers who fear their safety is compromised.
The urgent need for Minister Persson to fulfill his promise, supporting universities with new legislation to counteract the far-right offensive, cannot be overstated. The academic community at large anxiously awaits decisive action to protect their rights and create an environment conducive to free and unbiased research.
Christian Peterson’s gloating message on his Telegram channel after the disciplinary board’s decision serves as a stark reminder of the grave threat faced by researcher Tobias Hübinette, but also by the entire educational system in Sweden.