[1473] in Discussion of MIT-community interests
Fwd: Message from President Vest
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Roger Ford)
Mon Oct 6 01:55:18 2003
Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2003 22:17:50 -0500
From: Roger Ford <raf@UCHICAGO.EDU>
To: MIT-Talk@MIT.EDU
"MIT's administrative and student governance systems will deal swiftly=20=
and fairly with those responsible for this event." I wonder what that=20
means.
rf
Begin forwarded message:
> From: "President's Office" <kdk@MIT.EDU>
> Date: Sun Oct 5, 2003 10:04:15 PM America/Chicago
> To: ua-announce@mit.edu, ua-president@mit.edu, ua-cocomm@mit.edu,=20
> ifc-exec@mit.edu, asa-exec@mit.edu, dormcon@mit.edu,=20
> panhel-council@mit.edu, tutors@mit.edu, gsc-excomm@mit.edu,=20
> the-dome@mit.edu, racerel@mit.edu, leaders02@mit.edu, > =
leaders03@mit.edu
> Subject: Message from President Vest
>
> Please post or forward the following message from President Vest.
>
> =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
> October 5, 2003
>
> Thursday evening a small group of MIT students held what they termed a=20=
> "Ghetto Party" in their residence hall.=A0 This event was advertised =
in=20
> advance by an e-mail message that I have read and find to be=20
> outrageous and mean spirited in its derogatory references to poor=20
> people and its overt use of racial epithet and negative stereotyping.=A0=
>
> Our community draws strength and joy from its diversity in many=20
> dimensions, including that of race.=A0 We have a broad tolerance for=20=
> speech, humor and thought.=A0 But unthinking and demeaning behavior =
such=20
> as this party and its advertising can invade our collective soul and=20=
> destroy our ability to pursue our mission of learning, growth and=20
> leadership.=A0 Students on this campus, whether minority or majority,=20=
> and whether directly involved or not, should not be subjected to such=20=
> an environment.
>
> I will be further troubled if, as a preliminary investigation=20
> indicates, it turns out that no one who read the invitation pointed=20
> out to their peers how hateful and harmful its language and racial=20
> implications were.=A0 Passivity amplifies the mean-spirited actions of=20=
> others.
>
> Race in America remains a troubling matter, but we look to the=20
> leadership and good will of talented young men and women who are=20
> privileged to be part of great institutions like MIT to move us beyond=20=
> this and improve our world.=A0 It is sad and disappointing when even a=20=
> few choose to take the opposite path.
>
> MIT's administrative and student governance systems will deal swiftly=20=
> and fairly with those responsible for this event.=A0 But we all must=20=
> move equally swiftly to pull together, to learn the lessons of this=20
> matter, and to work together in mutual respect and common purpose to=20=
> live up to our potential as friends, colleagues and leaders.
>
> --Charles M. Vest
>
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