If you don't know about John Bonnell, you should. He's the Macomb Commuirity College professor suspended for his use of what MCC officials deem inappropriate language in the classroom.  Those who believe in the Constitution of the United States and those who embrace freedom should be aware of what's happening at MCC.
And they should be outraged.
Two decades ago, I spent three enlightening semesters as a student in Bonnell's English and literature classes. in the ensuing 20-plus years, I have traveled  with  him, laughed  with  him, cried with him and played golf with him (golf is the source of much of the crying).
For three semesters, Bonnell was my teacher. He'll be my friend forever
Many have reached conclusions about Bonnell. Most who call for his professional head have never set foot in his classroom. Yet, they would damn him- er... darn him - without knowledge of how he conducts himself or his class.  I don't know whether to laugh or cry at that kind of thinking.  Bonnell teaches literature, and literature is rarely politically correct. Sometimes it offends us. Sometimes it makes us squirm.
As Bonnell is fond of saying: "If you don't see yourself in the literature, you've misread the literature; or worse, you've misread yourself."
Those who envision a Bonnell class as a 90 minute four-letter word fest would be disappointed. He does not berate students. He does not verbally assault them. He does not curse them or intimidate them.
But Bonnell does employ the English language - all of the language at his disposal. And therein lies his crime.
College officials have made a distinction Bonnell does not: They have decided some words are obscene. They have decided for all of us what is appropriate for a college classroom ftill of adults.
First, they suspended Bonnell for three days. Then, after his students organized a protest on his behalf, they extended the suspension indefinitely
Kowtowing to political correctness - or more likely, worried about a lawsuit - college officials have effectively gagged him.
We should be outraged.
Meanwhlle, those who have experienced his classes line up to praise the veteran educator. Just ask any of his students, past or present, what they think of his ability as a teacher
Ask how many have signed up for two, three or more of his classes. They'll give you an earful.
Oh, and by the way: They learn a heck of a lot about literature and, by extension, about themselves.
But the issue is much more important than one man in one classroom. It's about freedom, choice and the Constitution of the United States.
When our nation's founders forged the Constitution, they so strongly believed in free speech they insisted it be part of the Bill of the Rights.
The founders didn't specify popular speech or "appropriate" speech or "politically correct" speech. They didn't say "Speak freely as long as you don't offend."
We have seen the likes of those who would censor an English professor in a college classroom before. This happens with alarming frequency
They cloak themselves in seif~righteousness and promulgate a common theme: to protect us from evil by squashing the rights of others.
Sixty years ago, they gave their idea of evil a name: Jews.
Forty years ago, they violently espoused that blacks had no business eating lunch at the same counter as whites.
Thirty years ago, they screamed "subversive" and "radical" when America's youth protested an unpopular war
A college is supposed to breed tomorrow's leaders. What message do MCC students glean from an administration that would trample the Bill of Rights because some deem a teacher's language - our Ianguage - unfit?
Of all places, a college campus should shine as a beacon of free thinking and free speech. But at MCC, the beacon is extinguished.
That's what is so offensive about the Bonnell story. That's why members of a democratic society should be outraged.

Frank DeFrank Is a Macomb Daily staff writer.