Insensitive Sociology Assignment Circulates on Twitter
A screenshot depicting an insensitive assignment created by a Frostburg State University professor circulated on Twitter late Friday, May 8th.
According to the assignment explanation, the paper is associated with a reading out of Paul Kivel’s “How White People Can Serve as Allies to People of Color in the Struggle to End Racism.” The assignment says, “According to Kivel, “what are some strategies whites can use to become allies to people of color?”
The professor notes “student’s are challenged to reverse Kivel’s question.” The assignment asks students to respond to the following question in a one-page double spaced paper: “What are some strategies people of color can use to become allies of white people?”
The Twitter thread identified the professor as Michelle Lieberman, a lecturer in the Sociology Department. The thread also identifies the assignment as part of “SOCI 366-701.” According to the FSU Course Catalog, SOCI 366 is Social Inequality.
Various FSU students responded to the initial post. One response says, “This is horrifying,” while another suggests to “Drop the class.” Another user responded, “Umm it must be crack.”
As of May 9th, Lieberman removed the assignment and issued an apology to the class.
The Author
