At Emory University, we are constantly working diligently to establish strong relationships among diverse cultures. Thoughtless acts such as a white student dressing in blackface mock our efforts to create a healthy, respectful scholarly community.
Unfortunately, Eric DeSobe did not talk with me before writing his derogatory editorial in the April 7 edition of the Wheel. If he had, he would have had a different and far more accurate portrait of my quote regarding College senior Amos Jones, which I gave to Asst. News Editor Jennifer Peresie, a different reporter in a different context.
Peresie surprised me with the news of Jones' demands when she called on Sunday afternoon, while I was busy with many family activities. She described to me that I was to be presented with a letter on Monday morning by Jones demanding that the KA be banned from campus permanently by the following Friday. In our conversation, she mentioned that the "Essence at Emory" weekend started that Friday, April 7.
I got the impression from our conversation that Jones was planning to do something which would negatively impact the "Essence at Emory" weekend if I did not comply with his demands. As you may know, the "Essence of Emory" weekend is when we bring our top prospective minority scholars to campus. I do not remember the exact words she said, but I believe she asked me what I thought about that and I inferred she was asking about the possible damage to the recruiting weekend.
I was shocked to hear that Jones would plan to harm a recruiting weekend. In my surprise, I replied, "After what Emory University has done for Amos, I think it would be an unfortunate thing for him to do this."
I have personally written numerous letters of recommendation for Jones to receive many awards, which were well deserved. Jones has contributed a great deal to this community. I also assumed the reporter had a letter in front of her that Jones had written to me, which I had not yet seen.
Jones and I have since talked and cleared up that he did not give her a copy of his letter and he said he would never do such a horrid thing as to harm the efforts of one our most important recruiting weekends.
It was a misunderstanding of vile magnitude. I hope this clears up any misunderstanding of my remark.
Jones and others have every right to speak out against acts of prejudice, just as I do every day. I applaud the students who are working to make our community a healthy, positive environment. Let us continue to develop solutions that will discourage any further behaviors, symbols, expressions and misunderstandings that are harmful to members our University community.
Frances Lucas-Tauchar is the senior vice president and dean for Campus Life.
