The lecture entitled “Gender is not (gender) sex, sex, gender and why there are two sexes in biology” might have been “cancelled” not too long ago because the thesis would have been taken for granted.
But you shouldn't take anything for granted.
That's what science is for.
But universities no longer defend this freedom, but have become places of cave-ins and coercion.
In the case of Berlin's Humboldt University, it's not about defending against an enemy of the constitution who uses the hallowed halls of freedom under the guise of science.
It's about an employee of the university herself, who wanted to speak out on a controversial topic in a "Long Night of Science".
Anyone who asserts "security concerns" here gives every disruptor the opportunity to undermine fundamental rights - and is themselves acting unconstitutionally.
But the university apparently also has concerns about the content – which makes the whole thing even worse.
So is the doctoral student an enemy of the constitution after all?
What is the purpose of an alternative event with the federal and state science ministers?
Do ministers have better arguments?
Is the HU so obedient to authorities?
Does she even know what this is about?
If the Humboldt University does not understand its own meaning and that of fundamental rights, it is not worthy of status and reputation.