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Syracuse University says it won't discipline professor who said 9/11 was attack on 'heteropatriarchal capitalistic systems'

the twin towers smoking on 9/11
The twin towers on September 11, 2001. Robert Giroux/Getty Images

  • A Syracuse professor said 9/11 was an attack on the US's "heteropatriarchal capitalistic systems."
  • The Twitter comments, posted a day before the 20th anniversary of 9/11, sparked fierce backlash.
  • Syracuse University says the educator won't be disciplined for the controversial remarks.
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A Syracuse University professor said the 9/11 terror attacks were an "attack on the heteropatriarchal capitalistic systems" that "many white Americans fight to protect."

Now the college says the educator won't be disciplined for the comments, which sparked an outcry online just before the anniversary of the attacks.

Political-science assistant professor Jenn M. Jackson made the remarks in tweets on Friday ahead of the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people, including 30 Syracuse University alumni. 

"We have to be more honest about what 9/11 was and what it wasn't. It was an attack on the heteropatriarchal capitalistic systems that America relies upon to wrangle other countries into passivity," Jackson tweeted, according to screenshots of the posts.

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The professor added: "It was an attack on the system many white Americans fight to protect." Jackson has since set their Twitter account to private.

Jackson's 9/11 comments sparked fierce backlash on Twitter, including from the former Fox News and NBC News anchor Megyn Kelly. 

"As an S.U. poli-sci grad, I just wanted to say, Ms. Jackson, you can F right the hell off. @SyracuseU - you ok with this?" Kelly tweeted Saturday. 

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud and Dean David Van Slyke addressed the matter in a joint statement to students, faculty, and staff on Monday, saying that Jackson would not be disciplined for the comments.

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"Recently, one of our professors shared thoughts on 9/11 on social media. These comments have been the subject of much scrutiny and vehement disagreement by critics," the statement said. "That is their right, just as our professor has the right to free speech, however uncomfortable it may make anyone feel." 

The school officials went on to say that Jackson had received "violent threats" over their remarks.

"What cannot be tolerated are the harassment and violent threats that we have seen in response that have been directed at this professor," the officials said, adding that federal, state, and local law-enforcement agencies had been contacted. 

"Some have asked the University to condemn the professor's comments and others have demanded the professor's dismissal. Neither of those actions will happen," the statement added.

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"As the home of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, free speech for all people across the political spectrum, within the limits of the law and the University's anti-harassment policy, is one of our key values," the officials said.

They added: "Speech can be offensive, hurtful or provocative. Still, Syracuse University will stand by the principles of free speech and by our commitment to keeping our community safe in the face of threats and harassment."

Jackson did not immediately return a request for comment by Insider on Monday. 

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