The controversy swirling around Erik Svensson has had an impact on the Spitting Professor, and he and Lund University are obviously feeling the heat. Prof. Svensson has already apologized to Ingrid Carlqvist on Twitter, but has now gone further and done so again on several “Islamophobic” Swedish websites.
In addition to his apology, the distinguished professor has asked for understanding from his detractors, and for a more moderate tone in the criticism leveled against him. Even though the concept of “moderation” was evidently unfamiliar to him during his Twitter-Spitter rampage, it seems only fair to allow him to have his say. To their credit, three of the websites he so obviously despises have done just that.
The following version of Dr. Svensson’s appeal was published today at Fria Tider. Many thanks to LN for the translation:
REPLY
Erik Svensson: “Do not judge me unheard”
Erik Svensson, a professor of evolutionary ecology at the Lund University, came under fire over the weekend after the site Fria Tider and other Sweden-friendly alternative media noticed his twitter attacks on the journalist Ingrid Carlqvist of Dispatch International. Now Dr Svensson answers the criticism and calls for understanding in a rebuttal.
Read also:
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My name is Erik Svensson, the person who is now written about a lot at “Fria Tider”, “Avpixlat” and “Exponerad”. I just want to give some brief comments, in the hope that some of you who read and write here can gain some understanding of my situation and might not judge me too harshly.
I deeply regret my misguided words to Ingrid Carlqvist on Twitter, and have already apologized for them on Twitter . What has been said can not be undone, and there is no reason to excuse them. All I can do now is to appeal for your understanding.
Some of those who commented wrote that “one should not kick somebody who is already lying,” and “we are not like the stone-throwing leftists”. I agree with this, and want to emphasize that I have never in my life used violence against my opponents, and never plan to. I have absolutely no understanding of what you call “the stone-throwing leftists” nor of any other violence-prone extremists on the right (edge), the left, or the in-between edges.
What I wrote about Carlqvist can of course be interpreted literally, as if were going to spit on her, but I can assure you that I have no plans to do it either at her or at any other dissidents. To express oneself in this way was misguided and stupid; it expressed a frustration and a feeling, rather than something I intended to realize/implement.
I appeal to you who comment and to editors and other readers not to judge me unheard and unilaterally based on the one-sided negative images given of me while you are reading the many negative comments here and elsewhere. “Fria Tider” has already written three (3!) articles about me, and Lund University has been mail-bombed with complaints and negative comments about me.
I myself have received several threatening and hateful emails, with suggestions that I “should get a severe spanking”, hoping that I’ll sleep badly at night, desires for me to be shot or to kill myself, and a shower of racist, sexist and other insults. Anonymous and semi-anonymous people have written that they will not give up until I leave or lose my job, and have threatened that they will haunt me for the rest of my life.
Although, as I stated, I do distance myself from my offensive words against Ingrid Carlqvist, I hope that the sensible and humane forces among you who read and comment realize that this affair has been blown all out of proportion, and that what I have been exposed to these last few days is totally unacceptable. What I have suffered the past few days, I would never want to be exposed to again, and it is not anything that I wish my opponents (including Carlqvist) would ever have to suffer, either.
I can assure you that I am a popular teacher who usually gets high ratings on my courses from students, and seldom or never any complaints. I can also assure you that you who have children and relatives who want to study at LU will feel welcome here, and that you do not need to worry that I’m going to treat someone badly.
Finally, some of you I’ve already talked to and tried to reason with via email, and emails that are politely worded and reasonable, I will try to answer in the same good tone. Those of you who have gotten in touch with the Dean and my supervisors may feel free to contact me directly if you want to know more details than I have given here.
I also hope that some of you who have become angry and perhaps sent off injudicious emails with perhaps unfortunate wording similar to the ones I sent, engage in a little thoughtfulness and perhaps even repent and change your mind. It is never too late to make a “poodle” and take back the ill-chosen words — whether it’s me or any of you.
I am posting this comment in a number of threads where my case is being discussed, if you are wondering about any double publications. This is in order to reach as many people as possible.
Best regards and with a hope of understanding, moderation and balance.
Erik Svensson
What I have suffered the past few days, I would never want to be exposed to again, and it is not anything that I wish my opponents (including Carlqvist) would ever have to suffer, either. – Eric the Spitter
Ah, but Eric, that is exactly what you, yourself participated in with regards to Carlqvist, which is the reason that you now are reaping what you have sowed.
Maybe you could stand a little more self reflection, it would seem.
As a professor of any subject a certain level of mindfullness would be a reasonable expectation. Whilst it is wrong to stoop to personal insults and threats I have little sypathy for a person who is merely sorry that they did not get away with saying what he did.
He is only apologizing because of the unexpected backlash and possible consequences for his academic career. He would never consider his words “ill chosen” otherwise. They are only ill chosen now that he is required to actually stand by them, which he is unable to.
He actually still does _want_ to spit in Ingrids face, and he would do so if he could avoid consequences, he only now found out that it would be too costly for him to indulge in his hateful leftist urges.
His behavior mirrors any random coward bully, rapist or mugger, mercilessly attacking while feeling superior, and immeditely pleading for mercy when his victim unexpectedly offers least amounts of resistance.
IMHO, he is the perfect example of an invertebrate “Schreibtischtäter” and should enter common dictionaries under that category.
Your observations are “spot on”. Erik Svensson will now become my generic name for the public-sector employed Northern European “useful idiot”. I’d wager he has no children and I’d guarantee that he hates Israel. The latter is, I find, a highly useful litmus test.
Not really an apology then is it?
This is what passes for an apology in Scandinavia?
Sadly so,yes.You shouldn’t expect much more than this,certainly not
from the ivory-tower …..
There are more profound reasons behind his words to Ms. Carlqvist.
This is an entreaty, not an explanation. Perhaps the professor will be judged less harshly when he can actually account for his words.
When called to put cultural Marxism and political correctness into rational terms, he fails. He can focus only on his own hurt, not on the larger ideological issues that brought the situation into being.
It’s all about effects, not first causes.
And he calls himself a scientist!
It’s never too late for a sinner to repent, unfortunately this statement falls
significantly short of repentance. He is certainly showing impertinence when
he describes Carlqvisy as a dissident. The word should be ‘ citizen ‘.
Right s ducain. SIGNIFICANTLY!
His purpose is impertinence, but I would regard it as a compliment to be called a “dissident” – belonging to the same club as guys like Sacharov and Solzjenitsyn!
But his choise of word is interesting. It indicates that Sweden has become a totalitarian system.
One more thing. Since I have left Sweden for good, I am not a “dissident” but a “refugee”.
what a smug bastard!
Now if he would only write to each and every person in the Scandanavian media and academia who have used similar language to express their “feelings” towards Fjordman, I’d think he was genuinely repentant & understood that what many in those groups have done to Fjordman is wrong, just as what he said was wrong.
BOO HOOO professor… snicker, snicker, snicker…
I ain’t crying fer U !!
U Can’t make me sad, ’cause I am glad you are caught in your own spit-petard….
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I cannot but agree with those who bring up the “shoe on the other foot/taste of his own medicine” aspect of this. It is unfortunate, but pleas for mercy from someone who has merely realized the unpleasantness of being treated as he freely treated others lack any compelling moral weight.
It would be bad enough if the systemic oppression of certain views through mockery by those in positions of power and influence were nothing more than a powerful class giving leave to their vicious impulses against an out-group. Such behavior is brutish and unbecoming of anyone claiming to be civilized, but it is not the crux of the issue. The real difficulty here is that this earnest professor of non-violence makes a living promoting systematic violence against those who dissent from his own opinions. That he considers himself too important to personally risk sullying his own hands with the blood of innocents is so far from a justification of his pernicious behavior as to be considered an aggravating factor instead.
Someone that hires a hit-man to kill his enemies for him is not less guilty of murder under civilized laws, he is instead considered even more guilty. The same principle must hold true for a highly educated and privileged person who uses influence over the education of others to persuade them to justify the systematic rape, subjugation, and murder of entire classes of people whom are considered obstacles to some Marxist utopia.
Is continuing to harass this person with ill-considered language worth the effort? I don’t feel it is, but others may disagree. But does he somehow deserve a respite? No. He doesn’t just deserve death threats, he deserves death. But I shall not stoop to hoping he gets it in any particular way. My hopes have nothing to do with it one way or the other, the situation in Europe cannot end except with a great many people dying. Many of them will deserve it a good deal less than Erik Svensson.
I shall spend more energy on mourning their end than on rejoicing over his demise.