EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State University student who recorded his professor telling the class that Republicans have "raped this country" has come forward.
Evan Schrage's video of professor William Penn has gone viral.
Penn told a creative writing class that Republicans are cheap. He said they don't want to pay taxes "because they have already raped this country and gotten everything out of it they possibly could."
He also said, "I am a college professor. If I find out you are a closet racist I am coming after you. Okay. This country is full of closet racists. What do you think is going on in South Carolina and North Carolina? Voter suppression. It is about getting black people not to vote. Why? Because black people tend to vote Democratic. So, why would Republicans want to do it? Because Republicans are not a majority of this country anymore. They are a bunch of dead white people. Or dying white people."
The video was first posted online by Campus Reform, a Virginia-based conservative group.
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On his Facebook page, Schrage posted, "I want to end indoctrination across the board, students should not be forced to sit through a lecture that has nothing to do with the course topic."
The university has since suspended Penn.
Some students Local 4 spoke with said they were disappointed he won't be teaching.
"He's trying to teach us to be our own individuals, and express our views and stop following the crowd," said Hunter Walton.
But MSU student Amanda Bonner said Penn's comments were "unnecessary and completely over the top."
Greg Scholtz, of the American Association of University Professors, says academic freedom is important to educational quality.
Penn has taught at MSU for 26 years, earning several awards for his writing and teaching.
"I love this university and always have liked my students," Penn told Local 4.
Asked if he liked them regardless of their political views, he answered, "Absolutely."
Statement from Michigan State University:
"Michigan State University is committed to creating a learning environment that is characterized by mutual respect and civility where diverse ideas can be explored.
On Sept. 3, university leaders were made aware of several statements made by Professor William Penn in a classroom. Once MSU was made aware of the situation the Office of the Provost immediately began a review.
The dean of the College of Arts and Letters and a representative from the provost's office met with Penn, who acknowledged that some of his comments were inappropriate, disrespectful and offensive and may have negatively affected the learning environment.
Penn's teaching duties have been reassigned to others. Students' education will continue as scheduled with alternate instructors."
WATCH: MSU Professor William Penn 'Republicans raped this country'