We often follow controversies at universities over free speech, but this week’s addition can be accurately described as nuts. Madera Community College History Professor David Richardson is under investigation as a possible confectionary reactionary . . . or at least that is what the school appears to be investigating. Richardson recently gave out candy on campus from Jeremy’s Chocolates labeled “HeHim” (nuts) and “She/Her” (nutless). For Richardson, the candies have led to his suspension pending official investigation. …

Richardson was also ordered to take diversity, equity and inclusion training [in an earlier ‘investigation’ — Ed]. Finally, he maintains that he was told to submit a written response on what he learned and how he can “create a more inclusive environment that does not center on homophobia or transphobia” in his home and “religious group.”

Richardson clearly has political and social objections to pronoun policies, a view shared by some academics. There is litigation across the country on the issue involving both students and faculty. Some have been successful or settled in favor of the right to refuse to use such pronouns, including a favorable ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in a case involving a college professor. However, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently upheld the termination of a high school teacher who refused to comply with such a policy.

[Be sure to read it all the way through for a great rhetorical payoff. The problem on campuses like this is not so much the nuts as it is the nutless — those who, unlike Richardson, roll over for this kind of speech and thought control rather than fight it. If more faculty and staff refused to comply, these policies would either halt all campus activities or would have to be withdrawn. — Ed]