SDSU, Sabia Release Statement in Response to Blog Posts

As part of the ongoing national debate on whether to raise the federal minimum wage average to $15 per hour, San Diego State University professor of economics Joseph J. Sabia was invited to testify before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce.  

SDSU learned that Sabia had been informed ahead of the hearing that his testimony was cancelled following the surfacing of blog posts he had written between 2001 and 2003 during his time as a doctoral student.   

The language and sentiments expressed in these posts are counter to the values of any institution which supports the principles of diversity and inclusion. SDSU unequivocally rejects any sentiment which seeks to undermine or devalue the dignity of any person based on their gender, orientation, ability, or any other difference among people which has been an excuse for misunderstanding, dissension or hatred.  

Sabia says he also rejects the earlier statements.  

"I regret the hurtful and disrespectful language I used as a satirical college opinion writer 20 years ago," said Sabia. “I am a gay man in a long-term, committed relationship and these charges of homophobia deeply hurt both me and my family.” 

"My peer-reviewed professional work on veterans' health, school shootings, discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, the opioid crisis, and the minimum wage are a more accurate representation of my more than 14-year career as an applied microeconomist,” Sabia continued.  

Freedom of speech is the right of every individual, and that right affords the responsibility to challenge and to oppose the spread of fear and intolerance. This responsibility extends to challenging and reflecting on our own former statements and beliefs. We believe that diversity and inclusion is a journey, not a destination and that many individuals will change their perspectives over time. SDSU promotes open expression of our individuality and our diversity within the bounds of courtesy, sensitivity and respect.