Should this professor be fired for his opinion?

An education watchdog group on Sunday called for the firing of an embattled Michigan State University (MSU) professor who was caught in a secret recording earlier this month ranting against Republicans.

“Michigan State must fire prof who went on hateful rant,” said Campus Reform’s Caleb Bonham in a newly released video.

“If Professor William Penn went on a similar rant bashing the LGBT community you would have fired him immediately,” Bonham added in the video.

MSU Creative Writing Professor William Penn said earlier this month Republicans are “a bunch of dead white people” who had “raped” the country and want to prevent black people from voting.

As a result, the school “reassigned” his teaching duties, but reportedly continues to pay him his $146,510 annual salary.

[RandRMomma]

I don't think he should be fired, especially if the conversation happened in private.

[jl89]

This

Quoting doomshroom:

Was he recorded saying it in class, or off duty? My opinion depends on that.

[girlsclubmom]

Yes- he is paid well by parents and students to teach a class. Not to go into a diatribe about his opinions and putting down things and people others may hold in high regard. He is what is wrong with the University system. Professors who think their role as leader of the class gives them the right to lecture on everything as if they are an authority on everything. 

[SWasson]

Comparing political affiliation with sexual orientation, gender, or ethnicity doesn't ring true.