Harassment Case at Valley College

* I am dismayed that sexual harassment charges against my colleague, Lawrence (Chuck) Jorgensen at Los Angeles Valley College, have not been dismissed (Al Martinez, column, Nov. 23). Although Martinez attempted a comparison between the Clarence Thomas and Anita Hill case, the two cases are hardly comparable. Prof. Jorgensen did not single out a female student in addressing a question about extra-credit assignments the first time a class met this semester. His remarks were addressed to an entire class. He made a statement about a personal crisis in his life some years ago which caused him to modify certain behaviors deemed stressful to a damaged heart. Known for a rather dramatic style, he related those modifications--meaning the response to be humorous and not necessarily factual. Jorgensen is guilty of a lack of sensitivity, but what one of us who have taught for over 30 years has not been guilty of a lack of sensitivity at one time or another?

I have known Jorgensen for most of the years he has taught at LAVC. He has a brilliant mind and a concern for all humankind. Has anyone mentioned that he is the author of a book on the history of the San Fernando Valley, a concerned environmentalist, a defender of the oppressed both near and far, an astute observer of the political scene and a scholar of world history? He is not a perpetrator of sexual harassment.

LOIS M. BERGQUIST

Professor, Microbiology, LAVC

* The comments of Al Martinez are not only uninformed and insensitive, they promote inaccurate and dangerous misconceptions about sexual harassment and those who have experienced it.

Sexual harassment was not invented during Justice Clarence Thomas’ confirmation hearings. It has existed for as long as men and women have shared a workplace. The implication that sexual harassment is ill-defined and therefore should not be acted upon is outrageous. Sexual harassment is defined in California and federal law. Hundreds of employers and educational institutions apply those definitions to assure a better workplace and education setting.

Martinez and Jorgensen may consider the professor’s remarks a “joke.” However, his remarks sexualized all the women in his class, demeaning them and probably embarrassing some. While he may not have to go to sexual harassment jail for this offense, the idea that he wants an apology is absurd.

For Martinez, who often eloquently writes about the subjugation of people of color, to imply that sexual harassment began with the Thomas hearings is like saying racism started with the civil rights movement. That is, until we heard of it, it didn’t exist. Nonsense.

ABBY J. LEIBMAN, Exec. Director

California Women’s Law Center

Los Angeles