University of Nebraska Chancellor Decries Racial Incidents

November 23, 2013
Written by The Associated Press in
Stereotypes & Labels
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University of Nebraska Chancellor Harvey Perlman
University of Nebraska Chancellor Harvey Perlman is making it clear that racial epithets, impressions and slurs are not acceptable anywhere, but especially in an institution devoted to education and progress. Photo Credit: journalstar.com

The use of racial slurs at a student government meeting and other race-based incidents on his campus have spurred the University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor to send a campuswide email deploring the incidents.

"Racial epithets and racial impersonations are not acceptable anywhere but especially in an institution devoted to education and progress," Chancellor Harvey Perlman said in his email Thursday. "These acts are not funny. They are not symbolic. They are only cruel. They reflect either malevolence or ignorance," Perlman said.

The university intends to begin a special campaign against such racially insensitive actions and words, using words included in Perlman's email: "Not here, now now."

A student senator, Cameron Murphy, had used the N-word and other epithets at a Nov. 13 meeting while discussing a proposed resolution. Murphy was objecting to a resolution pledging the student senators' support for stopping the use of derogatory language in their everyday speech. He criticized the resolution as an attack on free speech. Another student senator, Annie Himes, wants Murphy to face a hearing before the student senate executive committee, to be followed by a senate vote on whether to remove Murphy from office.

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Himes told the Lincoln Journal Start that she tried to stop Murphy's remarks but was told that, under senate debate rules, she could not interrupt. She said Murphy used the N-word while quoting comedian Chris Rock. She said he also criticized the university's Mexican American Student Association for complaining about students' use of sombreros during homecoming skits. "He was allowed to go on until he felt he was done," Himes said. "This was definitely very offensive and racist."

Murphy told Omaha television station KETV that he was standing up for freedom of speech. "If they want to take away free speech at UNL, then take it away," Murphy said. UNL spokesman Steve Smith said Perlman's outrage was sparked by other racially charged incidents, including the discovery this week of the N-word written in chalk on a campus sidewalk. "This doesn't happen often here, but one (incident) is too many," Smith said.

Andre Fortune, director of the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, told the Journal Star that he's heard from several minority students about racial incidents at the university. He said Murphy's statements reflect a larger societal acceptance of the use of racist terminology.

"I don't feel there's something unique happening on our campus," Fortune said. "I would hope that our campus community reinforces the statements by our chancellor."


Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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