Robert Jensen

Robert William Jensen (born 1958) is a professor of journalism at the University of Texas at Austin College of Communication. He joined the faculty in 1992 after completing his Ph.D. in media law and ethics in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in media law, ethics, and politics.

Robert Jensen speaking at York University after "The Heart of Whiteness" was published.

In his research, Jensen draws on a variety of critical theories. As a radical feminist, Jensen has focused much of his work on the radical feminist critique of pornography and of masculinity. He also has written about white privilege and institutional racism.

In addition to teaching and research, Jensen writes for popular media, both alternative and mainstream.^[1] His opinion and analytic pieces on such subjects as foreign policy, politics, and race have appeared in papers around the U.S. He also is involved in a number of activist groups working against U.S. military and economic domination, including the Third Coast Activist Resource Center.^[2]

Jensen identifies as a Christian Radical.^[3] He has one child, a son. Jensen is married to musician Eliza Gilkyson.^[4]

Early life

Jensen grew up in North Dakota.^[5] In 1981, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Moorhead State University (now Minnesota State University, Moorhead), and in 1985, he received a Master of Arts degree in journalism and public affairs from American University. Prior to his academic career, he worked as a reporter and copy editor for several newspapers, including the St. Petersburg Times and the St. Paul Pioneer Press.^[6]

Controversy

9/11 opinion piece

Jensen drew widespread attention for an opinion piece he wrote for the Houston Chronicle on September 14, 2001, shortly after the September 11th terrorist attacks.^[7][8]

In the piece, Jensen wrote that the September 11th terrorist attacks were "reprehensible and indefensible" but "no more despicable than the massive acts of terrorism – the deliberate killing of civilians for political purposes – that the U.S. government has committed during my lifetime."^[9]

Jensen's piece drew both praise and criticism. Some individuals demanded that The University of Texas fire Jensen. In response, University of Texas President Larry Faulkner wrote in a letter to the editor published in the Houston Chronicle that he was "disgusted by Jensen's article" and called Jensen "a fountain of undiluted foolishness on issues of public policy."^[10]

MonkeyWrench Books

In early July 2014, MonkeyWrench Books collective cut all ties with Jensen over his article on Sex and Gender, which they felt "contributes to a dangerous culture of transphobia". ^[11]

In addition, Dexter M. Thomas wrote the following rebuttal.

Jensen elaborated on his views in a follow-up article article on the ecological and social implications of the trans ideology.

Works

• Arguing For Our Lives: Critical Thinking in Crisis Times (City Lights, 2013) ISBN 978-0-87286-573-0
• We Are All Apocalyptic Now: On the Responsibilities of Teaching, Preaching, Reporting, Writing, and Speaking Out (Robert Jensen & t̶h̶e̶ ̶M̶o̶n̶k̶e̶y̶W̶r̶e̶n̶c̶h̶ ̶B̶o̶o̶k̶s̶ ̶c̶o̶l̶l̶e̶c̶t̶i̶v̶e̶,^[12] 2013)
• All My Bones Shake: Seeking a Progressive Path to the Prophetic Voice (Soft Skull Press, 2009)
• Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity (South End Press, 2007)
• The Heart of Whiteness: Confronting Race, Racism and White Privilege (City Lights, 2005) ISBN 978-0-87286-449-8
• Citizens of the Empire: The Struggle to Claim Our Humanity (City Lights, 2004) ISBN 978-0-87286-432-0
• Writing Dissent: Taking Radical Ideas from the Margins to the Mainstream (Peter Lang, 2002) ISBN 978-0-8204-5651-5
• Co-author with Gail Dines and Ann Russo of Pornography: The Production and Consumption of Inequality (Routledge, 1998)
• Co-editor with David S. Allen of Freeing the First Amendment: Critical Perspectives on Freedom of Expression (New York University Press, 1995)
• Producer, “Abe Osheroff: One Foot in the Grave theOther Still Dancing,” directed by Nadeem Uddin (Media Education Foundation,2009, 46 mins.)
• Senior Consultant, “The Price of Pleasure:Pornography, Sexuality and Relationships,” produced and directed by MiguelPicker and Chyng Sun (Media Education Foundation, 2008, 55 mins.)
• Jensen, Robert (2004), "Blows bangs and cluster bombs: the cruelty of men and Americans", in Whisnant, Rebecca; Stark, Christine, Not for sale: feminists resisting prostitution and pornography, North Melbourne, Victoria: Spinifex Press, pp. 28–37, ISBN 9781876756499 

External links

• Robert Jensen homepage, with article archive
• Robert Jensen speaking on white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism on Uprising Radio
• Robert Jensen speaking on "Beyond Multiculturalism"
• Robert Jensen speaking on feminism and masculinity
• Robert Jensen speaking on "The Color of the Race Problem Is White"
• Robert Jensen speaking on "The Death of the American Dream"
• "The Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality, and Relationships," Documentary film directed by Chyng Sun and Miguel Picker (2008) quotes Robert Jensen]
• "Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land: Media & the Israel-Palestine Conflict", Documentary film directed by Sut Jhally and Bathsheba Ratzkoff (2003) quotes Robert Jensen
• Articles by Robert Jensen on The Rag Blog
• Thorne Dreyer's July 8, 2011, Rag Radio interview with Robert Jensen (54:58)

References