Posted on 01/16/2007 9:19:41 PM PST by freespirited
Dozens of Duke professors have posted "an open letter to the Duke community" on the Web, explaining an ad last spring that has been widely criticized as a condemnation of lacrosse players.
The new letter, signed by 87 faculty and posted at www.concerneddukefaculty.org, refuses to apologize for the ad and reiterates concerns about issues of race and sexual violence on the Duke campus. It says the so-called "Group of 88" ad _ published in the university student newspaper The Chronicle last April _ has been grossly misinterpreted. That ad has been a subject of heated debate on blogs and its signers have received angry and sometimes racist e-mails.
"The ad has been read as a comment on the alleged rape, the team party, or the specific students accused," the letter said. "Worse, it has been read as rendering a judgment in the case....We reject all attempts to try the case outside the courts, and stand firmly by the principle of the presumption of innocence."
The letter was signed by "concerned faculty," many of whom endorsed the original ad. The ad, entitled, "What Does a Social Disaster Sound Like?" included anonymous statements by students talking about racism and sexism on the campus. The ad also thanked "protesters making collective noise."
The letter this week has backed off that a bit, saying, "We do not endorse every demonstration that took place at the time."
William Chafe, a history professor who signed both the ad and the letter, said the bloggers' interpretation of the ad has become the version people accepted. And that's wrong, he said. "We're trying to set the record straight and clarify that we never claimed the lacrosse players were guilty," Chafe said.
No matter what happens with the lacrosse sexual assault case, the letter said, issues of race and sexual violence still exist on campus and should be addressed.
The "Group of 88" has been portrayed as politically correct, left-wing professors who rushed to assume lacrosse players were guilty of rape. The professors have been harshly criticized as the sexual assault case unraveled.
The rhetoric has been heated on the Duke campus, where President Richard Brodhead has called for a restoration of the "fabric of mutual respect." Two weeks ago, a group of economics professors signed a letter saying they supported lacrosse players and all student athletes, and expressing regret that Duke professors were viewed as prejudiced against some students.
That prompted an online petition signed by more than 450 Duke alumni and Duke supporters, standing behind the economics professors. Many of the petition signers targeted their anger at the "Group of 88."
In the online letter, concerned faculty say they won't apologize despite the fury.
"There have been public calls to the authors to retract the ad or apologize for it, as well as calls for action against them and attacks on their character," the letter said. "We reject all of these. We think the ad's authors were right to give voice to the students quoted, whose suffering is real. We also acknowledge the pain that has been generated by what we believe is a misperception that the authors of the ad prejudged the rape case."
If only the indescribably poor judgement and inexcusable harrassment of Duke students would dog those 88 losers for the rest of their careers/lives.
and I am a Duke Alum and professor (not at Duke) writing this
The male professors are just PO'ed that they aren't invited to Lax parties.
The ends justifies the means.
No need to apologize at all.
I agree, although I'm not sure McVeigh is the best example.
I've seen more egregious examples in the way those accused of child sex crimes are portrayed in press accounts.
That a crime is particularly horrible has nothing whatsoever to do with whether a particular individual committed that crime.
That is exactly what they are.I would bet that if you confronted them in person, they would wet their pants. Nothing but a bunch of sissys.
Some of the people I disagree with out there at least have the courage of their (misbegotten) convictions. These guys are not only wrong, they're despicable.
There were crimes committed and each and every one of those crimes should be investigated and dealt with AND reported on in a fair and impartial way without regard to race, gender, financial status or political affiliation or aspiration.
If this course of action was resolutely followed, social engineering would take care of itself.
The academic gods have sent down their truth from the apex of the ivory tower.
They will go to their graves insisting the problem is even worse.
I hope so....I truly hope so!!!!!
Re: Post #19 -- I love her mind but she sure could add some flesh to those bones.
Loss of face.
It really looks like you didn't read the statement that you quoted and responded to.
saneright said "some of the whining students", and you turned around, quoted that, and then argued "not all ...".
That's a straw-man argument, and not defensible here.
Besides, I would guess that the "whining students" are indeed a partially self-selecting set of those AA admissions.
Just a guess ...
Your pardoned. I re-read the statement and you are correct. It does say several and not all. Eating humble pie.
Duke University
Undergraduate Honor Code
An essential feature of Duke University is its commitment to integrity and ethical conduct. The honor system at Duke helps to build trust among students and faculty and to maintain an academic community in which a code of values is shared. Instilling a sense of honor, and of high principles that extend to all facets of life, is an inherent aspect of a liberal education.
As a student and citizen of the Duke University Community:
I will not lie, cheat, or steal in my academic endeavors.
I will forthrightly oppose each and every instance of academic dishonesty.
I will communicate directly with any person or persons I believe to have been dishonest. Such communication may be oral or written. Written communication may be signed or anonymous.
I will give prompt written notification to the appropriate faculty member and to the Dean of Trinity College or the Dean of the School of Engineering when I observe academic dishonesty in any course.
I will let my conscience guide my decision about whether my written report will name the person or persons I believe to have committed a violation of this code.
I join the undergraduate student body of Duke University in a commitment to this Code of Honor.
"...by what we believe is a misperception that the authors of the ad prejudged the rape case."
You see, you people are too stooooopid to understand our nuanced comdemnations. They were condemning society, that's right, S-O-C-I-E-T-Y.
Understand?
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