voluntary canary

A voluntary canary is someone who makes a sacrifice, often publicly, in support of a personal or professional value yet stays in the situation instead of leaving. Like a canary in a coal mine, s/he is exposed to whatever happens. Unlike the canary, s/he does it voluntarily. And, it happens to rhyme.

Berkeley's Earth & Atmospheric Science Department canceled a lecture because of the invited scientist's political views. David Romps resigned from his chairmanship in protest but stayed at the school. He became a voluntary canary! We need more profs like that. Let's see if he survives in Berkeley's woke academic coal mine.