College professor sues after school administrator threatens ‘slaughterhouse’ for conservatives over DEI

A California college professor is suing a college district and a raft of administrators for interfering with his right to free speech and academic freedom.

Daymon Johnson, who teaches at Bakersfield College, was subjected to investigation after he was verbally attacked by Kern Community College District Vice President John Corkins for expressing opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion policies (DEI).

“They’re in that five percent that we have to continue to cull. Got them in my livestock operation and that’s why we put a rope on some of them and take them to the slaughterhouse,” Corkin said of conservatives like Johnson who oppose DEI policies, according to the Daily Mail.

“That’s a fact of life with human nature and so forth, I don’t know how to say it any clearer,” added Johnson.

Kern Community College District operates Bakersfield College. The suit names ten of the district trustees or administrators as defendants, including Corkin and BC’s Interim President Steve Watkins. 

The Institute for Free Speech (IFS), which filed the suit on behalf of Johnson, said that he and his fellow conservative professors are being targeted by the district.  

“The First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech protects Americans’ right to express themselves. It also forbids the state from forcing anyone to adhere to a specific belief system,” said IFS about the suit. “Yet, Bakersfield College has done exactly that, compelling Professor Daymon Johnson and his fellow faculty members to adhere to a state-mandated ideology.” 

IFS claims that Johnson’s predecessor, Professor Matthew Garrett, spoke out publicly against progressive college policies, which Garrett called “cultural Marxism.”  

The college, said IFS, deemed that label as “hate speech” and subsequently terminated him.  

Johnson’s comments opposing DEI policies at Bakersfield was in response to a post from a faculty member, which called America a “piece of s—  nation,” said Fox News.  

“Maybe Trump’s comment about s—hole countries was a statement of projection because honestly, the US is a f—ing piece of s— nation. Go ahead and quote me, conservatives,” faculty member Andrew Bond said, according to the lawsuit. 

Johnson responded, calling Bond a Social Justice Warrior (SJW) and challenging him to treat a real Marxist regime with the same contempt as he treats America.  

“Do you agree with this radical SJW from BC’s English Department? Thoughts?” Johnson asked, according to Fox. “Maybe [Bond] should move to China, and post this about… the Chinese Communist Party and see how much mileage it gets him.” 

The exchange led to a complaint against Johnson for “harassment” and “bullying” that took over five months and necessitated the hiring of legal counsel by the professor, said IFS.  

While the administration eventually cleared Johnson of any wrongdoing, Johnson was told he would continued to be investigated, said IFS.  

“The First Amendment, not wokeism, determines whether speech is protected in America’s government-run schools,” said Alan Gura, the attorney for Johnson. “The courts should end Bakersfield College’s repressive behavior, and ensure that no member of the school community faces official discipline for offering political views, no matter who dislikes it.”