Erika López Prater, an adjunct professor teaching a course last year on world art at Hamline University, unsurprisingly wanted to show her class a 14th-century depiction of Muhammad.
She explained in advance she would be showing the painting, and that any student who might be offended could simply skip the class. She repeated that offer just before starting the class during which the painting would be shown.
However, one Muslim student remained that day — it’s unclear if there were other Muslims who did not attend the class — for he was apparently was just itching to be offended, so that he could then complain about Professor López Prater, which he did.
The end result was that the professor, for doing her job, was dismissed; her contract was not renewed.
A former Hamline University adjunct art professor can proceed with her lawsuit against the private Minnesota school but only on the basis of religious discrimination, a federal judge has ruled.
Erika López Prater sued Hamline University earlier this year after she was dismissed following a complaint from a Muslim student that she showed ancient images of the Prophet Muhammad in a global art course last year.
US District Judge Katherine Menendez on Friday dismissed several other claims in López Prater’s lawsuit, including those claiming reprisal, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and retaliation, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported. López Prater’s attorney has argued that the school would have treated her differently if she were Muslim.