It Couldn’t Happen Here? Shyness, racism, what’s the difference?

Published 6:55 pm Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Officials with Oxford University in England have apologized to those with autism and social anxiety disorder. A newsletter by the university’s diversity office had listed failure to make eye contact as a “microaggression” and said that it was a form of “subtle everyday racism.” But those with autism said that by making that claim the diversity office had discriminated against them. University officials said they made a mistake and acknowledged there may be reasons other than racism why someone may not make eye contact.

Mike Quinn says he was “out of my mind with anger” when he put his hands on U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., during a town hall forum. Video from the event shows Quinn shouting at Cramer and approaching him. Another member of the audience attempts to restrain him, but two police officers, who apparently don’t have the greatest situational awareness, grabbed the other guy and hustled him out, leaving Cramer undefended as Quinn rushes him and pushes him back while trying to shove money into his jacket. Quinn said he was angry that Cramer voted for a bill that changes parts of Obamacare.

Meanwhile, in Arizona, the FBI has arrested an employee of the Tucson Unified School District for threatening U.S. Rep. Martha McSalley, R-Ariz. Officials say Steve Martan left multiple expletive-filled messages on the voicemail at McSalley’s congressional office threatening her. They say he was angered by her votes in support of President Donald Trump’s agenda.

The University of Missouri says it will cut some 400 positions. That follows an announcement last week that it will cut its budget by 12 percent, or about $55 million. Officials project that enrollment of freshmen will be down about 14 percent in the fall. Enrollment at the university has been in freefall since Black Lives Matter protests roiled the campus in 2015.

Bryson William Verdun Hayes fought in World War II and saw action on D-Day and the Allied invasion of Normandy. And he recently became the oldest person ever to skydive. Hayes was 101 years, 38 days old when he jumped. The previous record was held by a man who was 101 years, three days old when he jumped. Hayes was joined by his son, grandson, great-grandson and great-granddaughter.

Charles Oliver is a staff writer for the Daily Citizen-News.