'Queer Theory and Migrations' Prof Teaches U.S. Border Officials Rape Women, Has 'Scent-Free' Classroom

anthony.christopher | August 5, 2015
DONATE
Font Size

Karma R. Chávez is a professor of "Queer Theory" and "Queer Migrations" in the Department of Communication Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the author of "Queer Migration Politics" as well as the co-founder of the Queer Migration Research Network which is promoted using the university's site (at the bottom of her profile under 'Links')

Upon doing some research into the The Queer Migration Research Network, some interesting reminders were noticed at the bottom of the event flyer for attendees wishing to participate in one of their most recent conferences: 

 

Note the "Scent-free space" What exactly is it that Professor Chàvez has against human beings using perfumes or scented hair products? More importantly, does the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Letters and Science sponsoring the event feel the same way? 

More startling, and certainly most concerning, are statements made in Professor Chàvez's essay "Border Interventions: "The Need to Shift From a Rhetoric of Security to a Rhetoric of Militarization" In it, she argues that when referencing border security at the southern border, it is most appropriate for the media and academics to discuss border militarization when in the context of the immigration debate. As reported by Brian Sikma at MediaTrackers, Professor Chàvez also states: "President Ronald Reagan's administration was most responsible for rolling out the immense infrastructure that would lead to the most drastic border militarization" 

Professor Chàvez also makes the empty claim that border security efforts have led to the prolonged rape of women by U.S. border officials, Kikma reports, by charging that "many migrant women have reported being raped under the conditions of militarization for reasons that would not exist if not for militarization."

Looking at a payroll database for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, it appears tenured Professor Chàvez received a staggering $87,224.00 for her work as an associate professor teaching "Queer Theory," which is considerably more than the $53,000 the average American household takes home.

According to Professor Chàvez's RateMyProfessor.com profile, it also appears that she pushes her beliefs on some of her students in the classroom: 

donate