Nerd News: Columbia Professor Punches University Employee During Argument

Here is the latest example of nerd crazy, via the Insta-Prof. In a nutcase -- I mean, NUTSHELL?

1. Prof and university employee get into a heated discussion.
   
2. Prof punches employee. In the face.
   
3. Employee files charges of assault.
   
4. Police come and bust the professor.

This seems more or less clear, no? Oh, but grasshopper, now add in race and gender. Yowzers! Watch the vicious identity politics begin in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...

UPDATE 1: For an amusing thought-experiment, speculate on what kind of media and commentator reaction you might predict with various permutations of who in the situation is victim, aggressor, black, white, male, and female.

UPDATE 2: Here's an interesting comment.