Dear fellow dentists,
Please see below. At a time when leadership all over the world is eroding, as dentists and healthcare professionals, we have the elevated duty and responsibility to maintain trust in our society. Many University of Toronto Alumni have spoken up and are proud that the university has taken definitive action. We are confident in their process as it is transparent and has been decisive. The ODA, unfortunately, has not held the standards that we all as dentists aspire to. This is a plea from the majority to the minority to do the right thing and look to Canada’s oldest dental institution for what responsible governance looks like
Sent on behalf of Acting Dean Tam
To alumni & friends,
I’m writing in my capacity as Acting Dean through the end of April, to inform you that Dean Anil Kishen is currently on leave – you can find a letter from him below. The University of Toronto has launched an investigation into the recent incident and Dr. Kishen has committed to participating fully.
The University and the Faculty take this matter very seriously. We know that this incident has negatively impacted U of T community members and others in the broader community.
This is a difficult time in our Faculty and community. We will update you as we navigate next steps. We remain committed to providing an inclusive and respectful learning environment for all. In the meantime, updates regarding the University’s work to address antisemitism are available here, and information regarding available supports for students and employees may be found at the University’s EDI in a Global Context website.
Sincerely,
Laura Tam
Acting Dean
A note from Anil Kishen
I became aware that two cartoon images that I included in a recent lecture contained discriminatory imagery. I selected these images as visual analogies for two concepts. I was not trying to make any political statements with these images. I say this not as an excuse for this mistake. I recognize that this has caused a great deal of harm, and I am deeply sorry.
I am going on leave immediately, pending the outcome of an investigation of this matter. I am committed to participating fully in this process, and to doing all I can to foster an inclusive and respectful learning environment at the Faculty of Dentistry.
As soon this matter was brought to my attention, I removed the images from the online material and directly contacted students in the class to acknowledge the issue, apologize unreservedly, and affirm that I will be more thoughtful in selecting images for my courses in the future.
I condemn antisemitism and discrimination in all their forms. I am also committed to improving my own understanding and awareness of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, including how they may present themselves in the learning environment. I will work to repair the damage my actions have caused.
Please know that I am deeply sorry for the pain that this has caused for my students, the Faculty, and the broader community.
Anil Kishen
5 Responses
Isn’t there an independent investigation regarding this matter going on right now? Seems like the ODA is doing its due diligence.
Also, there is a massive difference between posting strong personal opinions on a private social media page under a pseudonym, and covertly inserting political propaganda into lecture material presented to unsuspecting second year dental students – and when called out stating that “he didn’t know.” How can you possibly compare the two? I hope we are all reasonably intelligent enough to differentiate between them.
The issue with Jonathon Mayer’s post is not his expression of his personal opinion or his right to express himself – on any subject matter.
The issue is that he disregarded his oath to adhere to the Board of Director’s Code of Conduct. Full stop.
He spoke publicly when he should not have. He did not apologize for his posts, even though he caused some members hurt. He acted out of turn as only the ODA President can speak for the association. He presented at a component society meeting and breached confidentiality by speaking about the removal of a board member when he should not have. He jeopardized negotiations with our current government, both at the federal and provincial level by insulting our prime minister. This is NOT a Jew versus Arab issue Mr. Marcus Stavis, so stop trying to make it into one to defend one stupid, ignorant and unrepentant excuse for a Vice President. Jonathon Mayer must resign now. You are embarrassing our profession and putting our 150 + old association into disrepute!
OK let’s break this down and have a civil discourse.
Have you read the posts in the petition? Were you aware that he used a pseudonym in all of his social media posts? Someone had to have worked to figure out that it was him, or dug for that information which leads me to believe that whomever outed him and organized the petition was fishing for dirt.
Criticizing your government is what we as Canadians are allowed to do as outlined in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I’m very curious to hear your explanation how and why “Mayer N Jo”’s critique of the government gun buyback program and recognition of the state of Palestine would compromise negotiations of the national dental care plan. First of all, there is no “negotiation” with the fed. There never was. We were told that this was plan happening regardless and had to work with 9 other PTDA’s to cobble together something ALL of the provinces can agree on. So to say that Dr. Mayer has put us in jeopardy is a stretch. I also don’t think the provincial government cares a whit about what Mayer N Jo thinks about Mr. Carney, let alone having it affect balance billing, coordination of benefits, and hospital dental compensation (I thought the ODA was useless and ineffective???) Please, stay grounded in reality.
With respect to the component society meeting and alleged breach of confidentiality, please provide concrete evidence.
Where does Marcus Stavis play into all of this, exactly?
Could the moderators and commenters please stop throwing out random names and allegations and start providing some real and clear facts?? Thanks.
Some pseudonym…especially when he publishes a statement (public for all) and signs off with his real name:
“Hi. I want to state that I identify the keffiyeh as a political statement and not just an item of clothing, regardless of it’s cultural use. To me, it is being used as the modern equivalent of the swastika which is a symbol the Nazis appropriated from South Pacific Islanders. The fact that both of these items have been appropriated may be unfortunate but as symbols they have now gained tremendous power to hurt and incite violence and (true) genocide.
I ask that you give my feelings about this the same consideration you give to other things various group find offensive and don’t minimize my experience.
Regards,
Jonathan Mayer”
AND he also posts verbatim “When you hear stories of Palestinian “children” (often teens) being killed, know that the “stones” they throw are not little pebbles, they are large deadly rocks. They are doing what they have been taught, and becoming martyrs. Making their parents proud, and becoming excellent propaganda for Hamas etc.” – justifying the killing of Palestinian children so that they won’t grow up to become martyrs. (Oh and just so you know, most of the kids that are dying are “teens”, so that makes it okay according to him).
Freedom of speech does equate to freedom of hateful speech. The fact that the ODA Board continues to allow Mayer to serve as an active director, shows they condone and accept these statements.
Making controversial social media posts available for public viewing shows his poor sense of judgement and lack of discretion. He is unfit to be the ODA President, let alone a Board member. He should save our members’ resources and the association’s reputation by just simplify stepping down. Any reasonable professional under the same circumstances would do so. Any responsible Board would force a director in this position to resign or at least suspend active duties while the investigation is ongoing. The only possible reason why he won’t step down is because he is too egotistical, narcissistic, stupid, or all of the above. None of these are qualities of a good leader.
You re right. What a pathetic excuse it is to say he used a “pseudonym.” How can ANYONE possibly word salad Jonathan Mayer’s actions and comments into anything but a breach in the code of conduct, and actions unbecoming of an ODA leader. Please don’t make excuses for him. He should not be ratified.