Queer Course at the University of Sassari: Petitions, Questions, Open Letters, the Case Becomes International
Professors in defense of Umberto Zappino: «Article 33 attests to freedom of research and teaching»The University of Sassari (Ansa)
Per restare aggiornato entra nel nostro canale Whatsapp
First Sardinian, then national with the controversy of the League. Now the case of Federico Zappino, professor of the University of Sassari attacked for the lessons of Gender and Queer Theories at the Sardinian university, has become international .
In fact, Judith Butler, one of the world's leading exponents of queer thought , has come out in his defense and is the first signatory of an open letter addressed to the Minister of Universities Anna Maria Bernini in support of the professor.
Colleagues from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of History, Human Sciences and Education also expressed their solidarity with Zappino, launching a swipe at Lega Nord member Rossano Sasso, who presented a parliamentary question that resulted in a brawl in the Chamber of Deputies .
" The hateful attack directed by the Honorable Sasso affects all of us and must be decisively rejected - the professors write - In expressing our solidarity, we recall, with concern but also with firmness, what is guaranteed by the constitutional provision. 'Art and science are free and their teaching is free', as established by art. 33 which unequivocally attests to the freedom of research and teaching as a specification of the freedom of expression of thought ".
For the signatories, the Lega Nord MP's attack is an attack on ideas : " External interference in the merits is not admissible in the specific case of a university course , held by a professor in possession of scientific and academic qualifications, based on sources recognized by the scientific community and aimed at adults who, exercising their right to study and freedom of choice, choose from a broad educational offering built on democratic pluralism."
The course was activated last year, but only now has the case exploded, to the sound of controversy, questions, open letters, appeals and petitions. Almost 1,200 signatures were collected to ask the ministry to ban “gender ideology” from the university as well. About 3,000 signatures were collected by intellectuals and academics in defense of Zappino and Article 33 of the Constitution , which establishes freedom of teaching.
(Online Union)