This case in San Jose, CA is interesting. Briefly, the instructor at the community college discussed the origins of homosexuality. The Mercury News reports:
The student alleged that Sheldon said maternal stress caused male homosexuality, and that “there aren’t any real lesbians — that women just get tired of relationships with men.” Further, the student said that Sheldon told the class, “there are hardly any gay men in the Middle East because the women are treated very nicely.” The student also said that Sheldon added this advice: If men wanted a strong son, they should treat their wives nicely; if they wanted a “sensitive” son, they should abuse their wives.
The article quotes Stanford law professor Pamela Karlan on the free speech question.
“If Sheldon said, ‘Here is what scientists are thinking,’ that’s probably protected. But if she said ‘There aren’t any real lesbians or gay men in the Middle East,’ that isn’t protected.
As provocative as Sheldon’s alleged comments are, what’s interesting here is the line between offering opinions and storytelling versus discussing something that’s in a textbook.
We often tease out analogous events or issues when leading a discussion on a particular text. Making up a scenario or retelling a real episode or “story” often helps bring the point or question to life. Then there’s offering an opinion on something. I try not to do that, and if I do, I try to give a disclaimer that carefully distinguishes my view from, say, William James’ view. Then there’s constructing arguments from the text or the position the author is discussing (i.e., someone else’s argument) or is making himself. I try to analyze those arguments and draw them out. Both sides. Now we’re at a meta-meta discussion of the issue.
What I’m pondering is whether I’ve been guilty of the same behavior. I know, it’s highly unlikely, but I always like to “examine myself” when I’m tempted to engage in finger-pointing. I really don’t think I do what Sheldon is alleged to have done. I think it’s a reminder, though, to stay far away from this line lest one inadvertently cross it.