MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Some University of Memphis students backed a former professor who came under fire for her tweets on so-called “whiteness.”
Students said Zandria Robinson was well-known on campus for challenging the status quo.
The university announced on Twitter Tuesday, Robinson no longer worked at the school but wouldn’t say why.
Robinson tweeted back, saying she was not fired.
She took another job and left the university in May.
Those who know Robinson said she isn’t afraid to speak her mind, but many wondered if this time she went too far.
Robinson, who taught sociology at the University of Memphis since 2004, recently posted a series of controversial tweets on her personal account which sparked national attention.
A blog called SoCawlege captured some of her tweets.
One of them, she apparently responded to the Charleston church shooting.
Robinson seemed to imply what happened was almost to be expected when she posted, “whiteness is most certainly and inevitably terror.”
She described herself on her Twitter profile as a “dirty south black feminist sociologist,” and “some babies mama.”
“She spoke the truth. She really took the time to teach what a lot of people wouldn’t teach. She was a great professor and well-respected here,” said student Kenya Gray, who doesn’t think Robinson’s tweets were out of line. “I don’t think they are racist. I just think they are rebellious for what people are used to hearing.”
Other students agreed saying that’s what sociology was all about.
“Open discussion is encouraged. Opinions are encouraged whether the professor agrees with them or not,” said student Rhea Pannell
WREG called Robinson, even went to her house, but got no response as of Tuesday night.
“We don’t need anything negative around campus,” said student Chauncey Lanier.
He and other students said Robinson should apologize and claimed her comments were inappropriate and offensive.
“I thought it wasn’t cool. I felt like it was disrespectful,” said Lanier.
Robinson has since made her Twitter account private.
The University of Memphis has yet to comment on her tweets.
