A UCLA professor has been suspended for not giving preferential treatment to black students in the wake of George Floyd’s death. The professor is suing the University of California, Los Angeles, for more than $19 million over a highly publicized incident that gained national notoriety.
Gordon Klein, an accounting lecturer at the Anderson School of Management, made headlines in June 2020 for refusing to give preferential treatment to black students.
As Blaze News previously reported, Klein was asked by a student whether black students would be given special consideration because of the death of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter protests. .
“Students called for the shortening of harmless final exams and the extension of deadlines for final assignments and projects in light of the nationwide protests against police brutality and with the welfare of Black students in mind.” . daily bruin report.
Klein answered By writing:
In light of the tragedy in Minnesota, we appreciate the emailed suggestion below to give Black students special treatment. Do I know the names of my black classmates? How can I identify them since I only have online classes? Are there any students who may be mixed race, such as half black and half Asian? What do you think should be done? Full concession or only half concession?
Klein asked the student that “white students” in Minneapolis “might be even more devastated” by the death of George Floyd.
Mr. Klein then quoted Martin Luther King Jr., saying, “Remember MLK’s famous words that people should not be judged based on the ‘color of their skin.'” Your request. Do you think that goes against MLK’s recommendations? ”
A student took a screenshot of the email conversation, which quickly spread online.
UCLA students argued that Klein’s email was “backhandedly racist” and undermined the Black Lives Matter movement.
On the same day that Klein wrote the email, Change.org A petition has been launched calling for Klein to be fired for his “extremely insensitive, dismissive, and appallingly racist response to students’ requests for sympathy and sympathy during civil unrest.” ” requested.
“His actions do not reflect the fairness, respect, and justice that UCLA stands for as an institution,” said the petition, which has more than 21,000 signatures.
Two days later, Anderson School Principal Antonio Bernardo announced Klein has been suspended and an investigation has been launched into his “questionable conduct,” the statement said.
“Providing a safe, respectful, and fair environment in which students can learn effectively is fundamental to UCLA’s mission,” Bernardo declared. “We share common principles across the University of integrity, excellence, accountability, respect, and service. Any disregard for our fundamental principles, including abuse of power, will not be tolerated.”
“We deeply regret the increased pain and anger experienced by our community during this extremely difficult time,” Bernardo added. “We must and will hold each other to high standards.”
Klein was reinstated to work less than a month after the incident.
But Klein argues that the public backlash has caused irreparable damage.
Klein earns a significant amount of money from his expert witness work.
university fix “He has testified in several high-profile court cases, including, for example, Michael Jackson’s wrongful death, Apple’s acquisition of Dr. Dre’s Beats headphones, and the valuation of General Motors’ assets in bankruptcy.” Ta.
Klein’s attorney, Steve Goldberg, told The College Fix this week, “He is one of the top claims experts in the country, has historically brought in well over $1 million a year, and has been involved in many cases. At that time, it was on the rise.”
“As soon as I was suspended, that conduct was reduced to ashes,” said Goldberg, a member of Marken, Zussman & Compton LLP.
Klein, who continues to teach full-time at UCLA, is suing the university for “well over $19 million in damages.”
Klein’s lawsuit is It is scheduled He is scheduled to go on trial in Santa Monica court on March 4.
Klein, who joined the UCLA Anderson School of Management in 1981, filed his first lawsuit against the school in September 2021.
UCLA did not respond to repeated requests for comment from The College Fix.
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