After working for Palm Beach Atlantic University for more than 20 years, Dr. Samuel Joeckel of West Palm Beach has been fired over the teaching of a racial justice unit.
The professor, who first announced he was under investigation for teaching the course in February, revealed his termination over social media on Wednesday.
When the investigation by university officials first opened, he said it was due to toxic state politics. Joeckel taught English at PBA since 2002. Speaking with multiple news outlets, he said he’s taught a unit on racial justice at the private, Christian university for 12 years, and that it had never before been a “cause for concern” to university administration.
When the investigation by university officials first opened, he said it was due to toxic state politics. Joeckel taught English at PBA since 2002. Speaking with multiple news outlets, he said he’s taught a unit on racial justice at the private, Christian university for 12 years, and that it had never before been a “cause for concern” to university administration.
On Feb. 15, Joeckel said the university provost and dean of the school of liberal arts told him the process for renewing his contract was delayed as they reviewed the material of the racial justice course.
According to Joeckel, a student’s parent had called the unviersity president to complain he was indoctrinating students. In an Instagram post, Joeckel described the encounter with his administrators further, saying that his discussion with them was ” “cut short” so the administrator could “prepare for the arrival of [Gov.] Ron DeSantis and his speaking engagement on campus,” that same day.
DeSantis was on campus at the time to announce plans for a “Digital Bill of Rights,” aimed at protecting Florida residents from being censored.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
—Martin Niemöller
And now they are coming for the teachers — will no one speak out?