Thinking out loud:
Cash not only stirred the pot, he threw everything in it but the kitchen sink.
The discussions were turning away from race to the mental health of precious and the corruption of nifong/durham.
So out of the blue, Cash puts out a story with one purpose. Put race back into the mix. Inflame the local black community. Once again, make this case about race and nothing else.
This leads to any one of a number of questions:
1. who wants race on center stage?
2. who wants Durm/Nifong/corruption off of center stage?
3. What does Burness gain by doing public relations for the African American Community?
5. Who does Halloway socialize with?
Not saying there is another sinister conspiracy afloat, but worth examining to either confirm or reject.
Waiting for Brodhead's public statement waiting, waiting....
(no link)
Duke arrest controversy still simmers
The News & Observer
May 15, 1997
Author: Susan Kauffman; Staff Writer
Estimated printed pages: 3
DURHAM -- About 20 prominent African-American faculty members at Duke University have signed a letter calling on the university to take stronger action in the wake of the mistaken arrest of a black freshman last month.
The letter, a rare example of black faculty solidarity at Duke, says the professors think all blacks were wronged by the disrespectful treatment 19-year-old Calvin Harding received from white police officers.
"Indeed, the handcuffing of Calvin Harding handcuffed us all," the 4 1/2-page letter concludes.
The letter was signed by faculty members in a variety of disciplines, including Richard Powell, chairman of the art department, and Fred Boadu in civil engineering.
"I'm very distressed that we have this sort of thing going on," said John Hope Franklin, the nationally known history professor emeritus, who said he signed to protest unacknowledged racism. "It's not new. It's pervasive."
Harding, a work-study student from Silver Spring, Md., was performing his clerical duties at the Fuqua School of Business on April 7 when two police officers handcuffed him and put him in a patrol car. They acted after receiving a report about a suspicious black man, submitted by a graduate student who suspected he might have stolen her laptop computer.
The officers released Harding when they realized he was innocent, but failed to apologize. Harding filed a complaint saying he thought he was targeted because of his race.
### Inquiry about punishment: In the letter, the professors asked specifically to know what punishment was meted out to the officers.
They also asked that the graduate student who reported Harding as being suspicious be held accountable for her actions.
"A tremendous error in judgment cannot be ameliorated merely by saying: 'We're sorry the police made a mistake,' " the letter said. "Neither is some vague reference to an unspecified punishment of the officers sufficient."
Karla Holloway, an English professor and director of African and Afro-American studies, said the professors understand the confidentiality issues at stake, but they want to make sure something like that doesn't happen again.
"There is a history of accusation of African-Americans in the United States," Holloway said. "We think this fits the pattern."
President Nan Keohane was out of town and could not be reached for comment, but John Burness, Duke's vice president for public affairs, praised the letter.
"It is a thoughtful letter about an important and serious issue," Burness said.
"I'm confident that President Keohane will want to meet with the faculty to discuss it as soon as her schedule permits. As a matter of courtesy, I believe she will also feel an obligation to respond directly to the faculty before commenting in the media."
After Harding filed his complaint, Police Chief Alana Ennis conducted an internal investigation and determined that although the officers did not follow proper procedure, their actions were not motivated by race. Police officials have said the officers were "severely punished," but would not comment further, citing the confidentiality of personnel matters.
Keohane wrote a public letter of apology to Harding that was published in The Chronicle, the student newspaper. In it, she acknowledged that the racial issue clouded the case, but stopped short of saying that race was the motivation.
In the letter, the professors said they want more.
### 'Stronger message': "Given what Mr. Harding experienced at the hands of these two Duke University police officers, we would welcome a stronger message about the severe consequences of racist conduct - be it overt or covert - from the university's administration."
The letter continues: "It strikes us as disingenuous to say that the police officers must be protected when an innocent student had no such right as he was paraded and handcuffed as a public spectacle."
Leonard Beckum, a public policy professor who specializes in race relations, said he was proud that the faculty members took a stand and voiced their concerns.
"Black faculty, the few of us who are here, pretty much are not represented as a voice on campus," Beckum said. "That's not good for blacks or for the university as a whole.
" ... When you harm one, you establish the potential for harming all."
Others who signed the letter include: Jerome Culp Jr., N. Gregson Davis, Chouki El Hamel, David Barry Gaspar, Raymond Gavins, Paula Giddings, Monica Green, William Hart, Geraldine Henderson, Wahneema Lubiano, Vonnie McLoyd, Pierre Ndilikilikesha, Melvin Peters and Kenny Williams.
Edition: Final
Section: News
Page: B4
1. who wants race on center stage?
2. who wants Durm/Nifong/corruption off of center stage?
3. What does Burness gain by doing public relations for the African American Community?
5. Who does Halloway socialize with?
Well, everything in Durham and Duke is ALWAYS about race.
Nifong as DA completes the lock on the Courthouse by the AA
black bloc. They did not OWN Hardin or Freda.
They own just about everything also now. School board most
recent prize. Looks like they are dead set on controlling
Duke University - have been trying for years. Brodhead and
Keohane. Might as well hand the place over now.