An assistant professor at Michigan State University (MSU), Shlagha Borah, cancelled her class in response to Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 US presidential election.
In a message sent to her students, Borah, a queer immigrant woman of colour, explained that she could not proceed with her day as if everything were normal, given the election result. “As a queer, immigrant woman of colour, I cannot, in good conscience, go on about my day like everything is alright,” Borah wrote. The message was shared by the social media account @EndWokeness, which posted a screenshot of the communication.
In her message, Borah acknowledged the moment's significance, urging her students to take care of themselves during this “major historical event.” She also assured them that despite any political differences, they were welcome in her class, emphasizing that no student would face discrimination. “Please reach out to me if you want to talk,” Borah added, offering a space for students to discuss the election’s impact.
Professor Borah, who joined MSU in August 2024, has an academic background that includes a Bachelor’s degree from Delhi University’s Lady Shri Ram College for Women and a Master’s degree from the University of Knoxville in Tennessee. Her decision to cancel class has sparked attention on social media, particularly regarding how educators express personal and political views in academic settings.
The election result marked the return of Donald Trump as the Republican candidate, winning a second term as President of the United States. The reaction from Borah, who has publicly discussed her identity and experiences as a woman of color, reflects broader discussions about the intersection of politics and personal identity, particularly in educational environments.
