A professor at Stony Brook University argued last week that black men shouldn’t be allowed to speak in public until they have studied black feminist literature.

I don’t think black men should be allowed to speak about race in public without having first studied black feminism but that’s just me.. — Crystal Marie Fleming (@alwaystheself) June 22, 2018

“I don’t think black men should be allowed to speak about race in public without having first studied black feminism but that’s just me..,” Fleming wrote. She followed it up with a similar, more broad, tweet. “Amend that: I don’t think black men should be allowed to speak about ANYTHING in public without first studying black women’s work.”

Amend that: I don’t think black men should be allowed to speak about ANYTHING in public without first studying black women’s work. — Crystal Marie Fleming (@alwaystheself) June 22, 2018

Although Fleming’s tweet may have been a case of hyperbole, Twitter users immediately fired back. One user even accused Fleming of “some sort of sickness.” That tweet received over 200 likes.

This is some sort of sickness. I pray you get the help and love you need. — Johnathan D. Edwards (@JayeDEdwards) June 22, 2018

Your comment is insulting so many levels. I am at a loss for words on how to respond. — Patrick (@DrPJeff) June 22, 2018

Fleming’s biography on her faculty page states that her work primarily focuses on issues of racism around the globe. A large portion of her scholarship focuses on white supremacy and racial conflict. She has published two books on the topic.