University to Investigate Professor Who Tweeted About ‘Black Privilege’

“Being actively anti-racist means calling out and confronting racist comments,” the university wrote. “We are aware of Charles Negy’s recent personal Twitter posts, which are completely counter to UCF’s values. We are reviewing this matter further while being mindful of the First Amendment.”

The University of Central Florida, near Orlando, enrolls more than 69,000 students. Dr. Negy, 60, was granted tenure by the university in 2001, according to his résumé.

His book, according to a synopsis, argues that “white Americans and white culture frequently are under siege for a host of transgressions, ranging from colonialism to slavery, Jim Crow laws to racism, and from microaggressions to white privilege.”

In an interview Thursday, he defended his remarks, saying, “Why would I resign?”

“Despite what so many ‘haters’ are saying about me on Twitter, I’ve never said ANYTHING critical of George Floyd,” Dr. Negy said in an email. “The man was murdered in cold blood by a man who was a total sadist. So cruel.”

Dr. Negy added that while he was not a white supremacist or racist, he was critical of all ethnic and cultural groups.

“In my classes, we critically look at various groups, including whites,” he said. “There is no way I can be brutally honest about each racial/cultural group without offending someone.”

Michael Johnson, the interim provost, said that tenured faculty members at the public university can generally be removed only for incompetence or misconduct, which would have to be proved through a careful investigation.