> Skip to content
FEATURED:
  • The Evolution of Race in Admissions
Sign In
  • News
  • Advice
  • The Review
  • Data
  • Current Issue
  • Virtual Events
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Resources
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Resources
Sign In
  • News
  • Advice
  • The Review
  • Data
  • Current Issue
  • Virtual Events
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Resources
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Resources
  • News
  • Advice
  • The Review
  • Data
  • Current Issue
  • Virtual Events
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Featured Products
    • Reports
    • Data
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Resources
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Career Resources
Sign In
ADVERTISEMENT
Ticker circle logo

The Ticker: ‘Head on a Stick’ Tweet Lands U. of Rhode Island Professor in Hot Water

Breaking news from all corners of academe.

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Show more sharing options
Share
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Copy Link URLCopied!
  • Print

‘Head on a Stick’ Tweet Lands U. of Rhode Island Professor in Hot Water

By  Nick DeSantis
December 19, 2012

Erik Loomis, an assistant professor of history at the university, has come under fire for his comments on Twitter about the National Rifle Association in the wake of last week’s mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school. One of his tweets said that he wanted to see the National Rifle Association chief executive’s “head on a stick.” Conservatives denounced his choice of words, but Mr. Loomis later wrote in a

We’re sorry. Something went wrong.

We are unable to fully display the content of this page.

The most likely cause of this is a content blocker on your computer or network. Please make sure your computer, VPN, or network allows javascript and allows content to be delivered from c950.chronicle.com and chronicle.blueconic.net.

Once javascript and access to those URLs are allowed, please refresh this page. You may then be asked to log in, create an account if you don't already have one, or subscribe.

If you continue to experience issues, contact us at 202-466-1032 or help@chronicle.com

Erik Loomis, an assistant professor of history at the university, has come under fire for his comments on Twitter about the National Rifle Association in the wake of last week’s mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school. One of his tweets said that he wanted to see the National Rifle Association chief executive’s “head on a stick.” Conservatives denounced his choice of words, but Mr. Loomis later wrote in a blog post that it would be “completely absurd” for anyone to take his metaphor literally. He added that he had become the latest subject of what he called the “right-wing Two-Minute Hate.”

The university’s president, David M. Dooley, said in a written statement that the institution “does not condone acts or threats of violence” and added that the professor’s remarks “do not reflect the views of the institution.”

The professor said he had been visited by the state police as a result of the controversy and told the Associated Press the authorities were concerned about his safety. Mr. Loomis’s Twitter account has been deactivated.

  • jiffy-icon
  • Source: Wpri

“In my world, calling for someone’s head on a stick is a metaphor to hold them responsible for their actions. I think the last time “head on a stick” actually meant murder was sometime around 1450,” said Loomis is his Tuesday post.

In that same blog post, he also mentioned he was visited by Rhode Island State Police.

Read more at: www.wpri.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Nick DeSantis
Nick DeSantis, who joined The Chronicle of Higher Education in 2012, wrote for the publication’s breaking-news blog, helped coordinate daily news coverage, and led newsroom audience-growth initiatives as assistant managing editor, audience. He has also reported on education technology, with a focus on start-up companies and online learning.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Explore
    • Get Newsletters
    • Letters
    • Free Reports and Guides
    • Blogs
    • Virtual Events
    • Chronicle Store
    • Find a Job
    Explore
    • Get Newsletters
    • Letters
    • Free Reports and Guides
    • Blogs
    • Virtual Events
    • Chronicle Store
    • Find a Job
  • The Chronicle
    • About Us
    • DEI Commitment Statement
    • Write for Us
    • Talk to Us
    • Work at The Chronicle
    • User Agreement
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Policy
    • Site Map
    • Accessibility Statement
    The Chronicle
    • About Us
    • DEI Commitment Statement
    • Write for Us
    • Talk to Us
    • Work at The Chronicle
    • User Agreement
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Policy
    • Site Map
    • Accessibility Statement
  • Customer Assistance
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Post a Job
    • Advertising Terms and Conditions
    • Reprints & Permissions
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
    Customer Assistance
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Post a Job
    • Advertising Terms and Conditions
    • Reprints & Permissions
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Subscribe
    • Individual Subscriptions
    • Institutional Subscriptions
    • Subscription & Account FAQ
    • Manage Newsletters
    • Manage Your Account
    Subscribe
    • Individual Subscriptions
    • Institutional Subscriptions
    • Subscription & Account FAQ
    • Manage Newsletters
    • Manage Your Account
1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037
© 2023 The Chronicle of Higher Education
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • facebook
  • linkedin