The university has responded to our demands and taken the necessary action regarding this faculty member. While this outcome provides a measure of justice, we will remain observant to ensure the campus environment truly changes for all black women. I appreciate the resolve you showed in calling for accountability.
June 28, 2010
Final supporters
PETITION IN SUPPORT OF BLACK WOMEN AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Recent events in which a faculty member, Grant Farred, in Africana at Cornell felt he was free to directly address black women graduate students as “black bitches” highlights that we are still beset with the problem of positively addressing black women’s presence in the academy and the larger community. This is an assault on all black women at Cornell irrespective of their positions, and an assault on all women. Thus, we defend ourselves from this form of violence. We ask your support as we again address an issue that pollutes and poisons the environment.
We assert that we cannot work safely in an Africana with sexist, homophobic men or women who support them and that young graduate students who are embarking on their careers should not come into the academy into this kind of hostility and toxicity. The racist sexism in the academy that allows administrators to consistently ignore this kind of behavior must end! When a professor in Africana refers to Black women as “Black bitches,” he assaults all black women and black people in general.
We demand:
(1) That the University administration recognize its complicity in supporting the behavior of this professor and instead of covering it up assign appropriate blame for unprofessional and sexist and racist conduct.
(2) That Africana make it a priority to hire progressive and conscious male and female faculty who can be advocates for black students and who are able to act in favor of the historic intent of Africana Studies.
(3) That the University move Farred from Africana and let him be in a department which supports that kind of conduct.
We the undersigned indicate by our signature our support for these demands and by these means condemn this horrible state of affairs
Updates
May 2, 2010
Reaching two hundred and fifty signatures serves as a powerful reminder that this issue impacts many people across our campus. It is heartening to see so many individuals acknowledge the gravity of this situation and choose to provide their support. The momentum generated here confirms that we are unified in our commitment to fostering a respectful environment for everyone.
Reached 250 supporters
April 30, 2010
April 29, 2010
The weight of the stories shared in the comments section reveals that this experience of disrespect is far too common. We are currently organizing these accounts to ensure that the administration understands the full scale of the harm that has been done.
April 24, 2010
The steady growth of this petition shows a profound recognition that our academic spaces must be held to higher standards of dignity and safety. This momentum affirms that what happened is not an isolated incident but a reflection of systemic concerns that require immediate attention from the university administration.
Reached 100 supporters
April 23, 2010
5 Comments
absolutely appalling. total disrespect for students.
UNREAL THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN 2017. GET HIM OUT OF THERE.
This is completely unacceptable behavior for anyone at a university. Truly disgusting.
Sending love to the women affected by this. No one should have to deal with that kind of treatment at school.
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The university has responded to our demands and taken the necessary action regarding this faculty member. While this outcome provides a measure of justice, we will remain observant to ensure the campus environment truly changes for all black women. I appreciate the resolve you showed in calling for accountability.
June 28, 2010
Final supporters
PETITION IN SUPPORT OF BLACK WOMEN AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Recent events in which a faculty member, Grant Farred, in Africana at Cornell felt he was free to directly address black women graduate students as “black bitches” highlights that we are still beset with the problem of positively addressing black women’s presence in the academy and the larger community. This is an assault on all black women at Cornell irrespective of their positions, and an assault on all women. Thus, we defend ourselves from this form of violence. We ask your support as we again address an issue that pollutes and poisons the environment.
We assert that we cannot work safely in an Africana with sexist, homophobic men or women who support them and that young graduate students who are embarking on their careers should not come into the academy into this kind of hostility and toxicity. The racist sexism in the academy that allows administrators to consistently ignore this kind of behavior must end! When a professor in Africana refers to Black women as “Black bitches,” he assaults all black women and black people in general.
We demand:
(1) That the University administration recognize its complicity in supporting the behavior of this professor and instead of covering it up assign appropriate blame for unprofessional and sexist and racist conduct.
(2) That Africana make it a priority to hire progressive and conscious male and female faculty who can be advocates for black students and who are able to act in favor of the historic intent of Africana Studies.
(3) That the University move Farred from Africana and let him be in a department which supports that kind of conduct.
We the undersigned indicate by our signature our support for these demands and by these means condemn this horrible state of affairs
Updates
May 2, 2010
Reaching two hundred and fifty signatures serves as a powerful reminder that this issue impacts many people across our campus. It is heartening to see so many individuals acknowledge the gravity of this situation and choose to provide their support. The momentum generated here confirms that we are unified in our commitment to fostering a respectful environment for everyone.
Reached 250 supporters
April 30, 2010
April 29, 2010
The weight of the stories shared in the comments section reveals that this experience of disrespect is far too common. We are currently organizing these accounts to ensure that the administration understands the full scale of the harm that has been done.
April 24, 2010
The steady growth of this petition shows a profound recognition that our academic spaces must be held to higher standards of dignity and safety. This momentum affirms that what happened is not an isolated incident but a reflection of systemic concerns that require immediate attention from the university administration.
Reached 100 supporters
April 23, 2010
5 Comments
How is he still employed? Cornell needs to wake up and handle this fast.
absolutely appalling. total disrespect for students.
UNREAL THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN 2017. GET HIM OUT OF THERE.
This is completely unacceptable behavior for anyone at a university. Truly disgusting.
Sending love to the women affected by this. No one should have to deal with that kind of treatment at school.
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How is he still employed? Cornell needs to wake up and handle this fast.