Change does come slowly, but it has to start somewhere! These students had faced decades of being ignored, and racist and anti-Jewish incidents had become more obvious in recent months with no satisfactory actions against them by the University administration.
The President is the spokesperson for the university and should take a leadership position in denouncing these hate-fueled incidents and their perpetrators, and in proposing effective solutions.
The President is the spokesperson for the university and should take a leadership position in denouncing these hate-fueled incidents and their perpetrators, and in proposing effective solutions.
4
Maybe they should have a mandatory course for students and faculty so they become familiar with the First Amendment to the US Constitution. While at it, a remedial course on the Missouri Criminal Code would not be a bad idea as the videos clearly show open acts of assault, battery, false imprisonment and most important, violations of the US Constitutions, specifically the Bill of Rights.
Past illegal acts do not justify new illegal acts, anarchy and chaos.
Past illegal acts do not justify new illegal acts, anarchy and chaos.
3
Mr. Wolfe's resignation seems very understandable to me. I doubt seriously that when he was given the job as president that his contract required him to
"eliminate racism at the University of Missouri". That is a BIG order. I suspect he felt, quite reasonably, that this required a different set off skills to do something that has not been accomplished in the USA since 1864 by any one or any agency. Furthermore, had he continued on as president the animus displayed by the students towards him would certainly make his attempt at racial harmony even more difficult from the get go. His resignation makes sense for him and for the school.
"eliminate racism at the University of Missouri". That is a BIG order. I suspect he felt, quite reasonably, that this required a different set off skills to do something that has not been accomplished in the USA since 1864 by any one or any agency. Furthermore, had he continued on as president the animus displayed by the students towards him would certainly make his attempt at racial harmony even more difficult from the get go. His resignation makes sense for him and for the school.
I'm gagging on irony. A student tries to photograph protesters on a public space on the premises of a taxpayer funded university, and is verbally accosted (almost physically, if the Professor had had her drothers) by other students because he was invading their special space: a "media-free zone". The first amendment rights of the protesters, in their own minds, didn't apply to the photographer in this scenario, even though anyone is fair game for a photograph being taken of them in a public area. If there is a clearer example of liberal fascism than this I have not heard it.
9
So Timothy Wolfe has walked away from this; Problem solved and it's all better now. Good luck kids.
6
Students standing up for their rights is a time-honored and important tradition. But efforts to shut out the media through intimidation overshadows their important message. In the video of the students' confrontation with photographer Tim Tai, there is but one voice of reason: a young man who steps into the fray and says, "Don't change the story." He seemed to be the only one aware that the confrontation, rather than the cause the students were fighting for, became the dominant narrative. Yes, dear students, please do challenge authority and stand up for your rights. But please be smart about it. And as for the communications professor who called for "muscle" to eject a videographer -- perhaps revisiting the works of Marshall McLuhan would be in order for you.
6
What's going on at Mizzou? Nothing new.
I had a seventeen years direct on-campus association with MU in a variety of roles between 2000-2013; 1975-1979 including earning 2 1/2 degrees. I was honored to be a chapter Mizzou Alumni board member from 2005-2012 but talking about the campus climate or graduate students was taboo.
This is dejavu at least twice over for me during my time at MU from 2000-2013. Actually, 1975-1979 was a more welcoming environment because everyone was on their guard.
To understand what is happening now, one has to understand the concept of microagression: being PC or blatantly ignoring the possibility of a hostile campus climate are often examples of microagression. Graduate students are particularly vulnerable because it's not about credit hours earned but the "hidden curriculum" (think old boy's club).
Being a women of color married to a white man didn't prevent me from seeing and being affected by Mizzou's systematic hostile campus climate. Even in my home, I couldn't explain to him the concept of WMP (white male privilege) and how it blinded him to the campus environment he worked in and schooled in everyday. My WMP dissertation advisor wanted to know why I had a "chip on my shoulder"; and, he was one of the better mentors and guide.
What's going on at Mizzou? Nothing new. What will change? Not much.
(Campus Microagression: HTTP://time.com/32618/microaggression-is-the-new-racism-on-campus/ )
I had a seventeen years direct on-campus association with MU in a variety of roles between 2000-2013; 1975-1979 including earning 2 1/2 degrees. I was honored to be a chapter Mizzou Alumni board member from 2005-2012 but talking about the campus climate or graduate students was taboo.
This is dejavu at least twice over for me during my time at MU from 2000-2013. Actually, 1975-1979 was a more welcoming environment because everyone was on their guard.
To understand what is happening now, one has to understand the concept of microagression: being PC or blatantly ignoring the possibility of a hostile campus climate are often examples of microagression. Graduate students are particularly vulnerable because it's not about credit hours earned but the "hidden curriculum" (think old boy's club).
Being a women of color married to a white man didn't prevent me from seeing and being affected by Mizzou's systematic hostile campus climate. Even in my home, I couldn't explain to him the concept of WMP (white male privilege) and how it blinded him to the campus environment he worked in and schooled in everyday. My WMP dissertation advisor wanted to know why I had a "chip on my shoulder"; and, he was one of the better mentors and guide.
What's going on at Mizzou? Nothing new. What will change? Not much.
(Campus Microagression: HTTP://time.com/32618/microaggression-is-the-new-racism-on-campus/ )
3
If you go looking for racism you are bound to find it, anywhere.
3
Before you make a comment on this please google "University of Missouri rape allegations". This entire University is a cesspool! From the Adminstrators, Coaches, and many Players this place should be shutdown and everyone dismissed. Then possible an institution of learning can be established. This place is a joke and I am sure the allegations are just smoke from an ongoing fire of cover-ups and ongoing sexual misconduct!
2
I find it ironic that these students engaged in an American tradition of protest. In some ways, we as black people, are damned if we do and damned if we don't. The same people who call this civil and peaceful protest wrong would be saying the same thing if there was a riot. These kids did it the right way. I am willing to bet the same people who say Mr. Wolfe is not directly responsible for the racism would be the first in line to blame President Obama for each every shortcoming or issue within the federal government. The irony is so funny that it is sad. Some of the commenters also missed the broader point that the protesters were not just black students but a broad cross section of the entire student population.
6
To: We Are Accountable,
Listen to your own words: "I am willing to bet the same people who say Mr. Wolfe is not directly responsible for the racism would be the first in line to blame President Obama for each every shortcoming or issue within the federal government."
Well, isn't that what happened to Wolfe?
PS, I voted for Obama and no I absolutely don't blame him for every shortcoming or issue.
Listen to your own words: "I am willing to bet the same people who say Mr. Wolfe is not directly responsible for the racism would be the first in line to blame President Obama for each every shortcoming or issue within the federal government."
Well, isn't that what happened to Wolfe?
PS, I voted for Obama and no I absolutely don't blame him for every shortcoming or issue.
2
Re Rupert Patton's comment:
This is an excellent comment! In fact, the NYTimes reporting on this story hasn't shown as much light as your commentary, but has instead become boosterism for the mobs. This story says as much in the headline, "University of Missouri Protests Spur a Day of Change." Really? What has really changed except you helped get rid of a white scapegoat? And does white scapegoating lead to black equality? Probably not.
This is an excellent comment! In fact, the NYTimes reporting on this story hasn't shown as much light as your commentary, but has instead become boosterism for the mobs. This story says as much in the headline, "University of Missouri Protests Spur a Day of Change." Really? What has really changed except you helped get rid of a white scapegoat? And does white scapegoating lead to black equality? Probably not.
5
I never would have guessed that so many New York Times readers really, truly, deeply hate and fear black people. Reading these comments is heartbreaking.
5
Surf over to the National Review, and cheer yourself up! No surprises there.
I suspect this link has been picked up by conservative bloggers...
1
I am a Mizzou alum who attended the University over 20 years ago. Mizzou changed my life. It provided an affordable education that allowed me to leave a rural community that offered little opportunity. I was able to find my dream job, become financially independent, and live in my favorite city. The time spent at Mizzou was some of the best of my life. While I find it heartbreaking to read of the incidents that led to the recent protests, I applaud the students, faculty, and football players who are doing something about an issue that affects far more universities than just Mizzou.
3
I find the racist comments here more offensive -- and more frightening -- than anything that has been reported from the Missouri campus.
6
The university can spend all the money they want on diversity initiatives and end inclusion officers and all kinds of training for staff and faculty. None of that will stop some redneck from driving by and yelling the N-word. None of that will stop someone from drawing a swastika with their poop. When the demands of protestors do nothing to alleviate their problems something stinks.
2
SOCIAL ACTIVISM and civil disobedience, forces for societal change in the 60s, is again coming to the fore. Those who oppress the 99%, including minorities, beware. You have wakened the dragon.
Top officials at the university in Missouri are among the first to fall. There will be a great wave of civil disobedience sweeping the country to restore and work toward freedom and civil rights for all citizens.
I am especially proud that the athletes acted in a respectful manner to show their objection to racism being permitted to go unpunished in Missouri. The videos of unarmed citizens of color being brutalized and killed by police have sparked a movement that will be unstoppable.
GOP beware the tsunami your discriminatory attitudes and actions have caused.
Top officials at the university in Missouri are among the first to fall. There will be a great wave of civil disobedience sweeping the country to restore and work toward freedom and civil rights for all citizens.
I am especially proud that the athletes acted in a respectful manner to show their objection to racism being permitted to go unpunished in Missouri. The videos of unarmed citizens of color being brutalized and killed by police have sparked a movement that will be unstoppable.
GOP beware the tsunami your discriminatory attitudes and actions have caused.
4
Apparently you are ignorant of the fact that almost all colleges and universities in this once great nation are run by leftists including the faculty. So who is this 'brave' extortion targeting? Surly not conservatives because they have no say in education these days from K thru grad school, so who are the problem if not for liberals? I await your answer.
8
"almost all colleges and universities in this once great nation are run by leftists including the faculty."
-------------------------------
Data?
-------------------------------
Data?
4
So, im a Grad student at Ga Tech and I have small fear every time I walk to my car. There have been over 20 armed robberies in the last 2 years some even on campus. Many students are robbed at gunpoint for cellphones and backpacks with books. GT police have id'd that 19 of the 20 suspects have been AA between 15 and 25 years old.
I haven't asked for our school President to resign.
I haven't asked for our school President to resign.
7
I wonder how many other university presidents are quaking in their posh shoes over students with little education.
White privilege my butt. It is called a four letter word called work. The protesters should try it sometime. It is hard to get offended when you are either studying or working. Perhaps they suffer from low academic standards and have lots of time to get offended.
White privilege my butt. It is called a four letter word called work. The protesters should try it sometime. It is hard to get offended when you are either studying or working. Perhaps they suffer from low academic standards and have lots of time to get offended.
10
Two things. 1) My alma mater creates a diversion division and a black guy calls my son "crack." Can he seek redress? 2) The MU athletic departments perceive themselves unable to compete for large shares of TV money if they fielded teams that were predominantly white, yet they are not considered racist?
1
The letter from the UM SGA, which is led by a black president who was elected by the UM student body, began with a condemnation that the UM leadership remained silent in the days and weeks following the death of Michael Brown. No mention of the fact that after a 9 month investigation the Obama/ Holder Justice Dept concluded that Officer Wilson, based on Michael Brown's actions, was justified in using deadly force. No mention of the fact that the "hands up, don't shoot" narrative that served as the basis of the protests was false. And notice that President Wolfe was brought in from a corporate background to help resolve fiscal problems at the UM. So when it boils down to it, his real sin was to cross liberal core beliefs on a university campus. "1) Don't dare cut us off from tax payer money, whether we are using it wisely or not, and 2) don't you dare ignore our protests or oppose our emotionally based conclusions with actual facts. And if you do, we will cry racism and call for you to be fired." My caution for all those who are reading this is that is a lesson to college students that will have far reaching negative consequences. Using that tactic diminishes constructive debate. And healthy debate should be a goal on our university campuses. This is evidenced by the number of commenters that essential say, "I know of no actual evidenced of widespread racism at UM but I believe it exists and therefore agree with the ouster of the President and Chancellor."
11
Thank God this was resolved to allow the team to play their games.
I wonder how sweet of a severance Wolfe got in order to cave in?
I wonder how sweet of a severance Wolfe got in order to cave in?
1
I'm skeptical that a change in the administration will keep racists from yelling out of car windows. I hope I'm wrong.
3
This was in fact a coup, via mob rule, fueled by political correctness. Then there's the de facto censorship with the on camera blocking of a member of the press.The fact that this censorship was supported by a member of the faculty at a renowned school of journalism is shocking. What kind of journalists is this school producing?
15
Yes, one of the professors of journalism called out to use "muscle" to keep a student from taking a photograph. So much for free speech. That incident betrayed the true in democratic radical motives of that movement.
11
Don't you see freedom of speech only applies to the oppressed or supposed oppressed. These athletes are taken care of by the University. Athletic scholarships, monthly stipend etc. While the other students take real courses and have to study to graduate. I wonder how many of these athletes actually attend classes.
6
Would like to have liked to have had a more thorough investigation of the "racial incidents". Is accusation now considered reason to move forward without any vetting? A posting on Facebook is fact. Many of the students are "inspired by Ferguson" where charges were proven to be lies. Mob rule is taking over and we inching if not charging toward anarchy. Watch out for more when lies become the truth.
9
Most of the Republican Presidential candidates are trying to peddle lies as truth. Is that what you meant?
1
The "Show Me State" has turned into the "I'll Show You State." Let's see how their enroll is in the future. Who would want to send their kids there?
3
I assure you few if any engineering and pre-med students are in these crowds, as they don't have time for this. This is what happens when you use holistic admissions to let in non-match students who lack the academic chops or maturity to hack it at a selective flagship U. In my experience, instead of doubling their study efforts, they funnel to soft concentrations which leave way too much idle time to dream up how unfair the world is — and their tenured social science profs are eager to exploit their gullibility and stoke their victimhood.
12
Well, one thing for sure- you're not black.
2
Back in the day the protesters were math, physics, English, history, etc. majors. Today, they study themselves.
8
man the above was said well and right on target.
2
Watch how the applications from white high school seniors in Missouri plummet. "No way we're paying for you to spin wheels at that school, Heather!" Would you?
4
The problem is that American universities are admitting many students who are more interested in political disruption than learning. Based on these videos. many of these young people do not belong in a university. Indeed, it appears that some of the faculty also do not belong in an institution of learning.
6
Gee, you must have missed the 60s.
Personally, I'm glad that U of Missouri students have banded together and raised their voices in unison. Kudos to them. They care.
Personally, I'm glad that U of Missouri students have banded together and raised their voices in unison. Kudos to them. They care.
10
Obviously "football" the opiate of the masses is ruling the day at the University of Missouri. Sad day indeed - get rid of violent sports on campus that fuel alleged violent racial outbreaks and maybe we will be heading in the right direction. Objections to football scholarships should be many.
7
I'm proud of my alma mater again. The administration needs to speak out loud and clear against bigotry. Ever since I was there in the seventies, there was one troglodyte fraternity notorious for celebrating its traitorous Confederate heritage and spouting racism. Given the First Amendment, they can't be silenced, but they can be marginalized. It just takes will and awareness on the part of the administration.
For an example of how to do it right, see Robert Gates's presidency at the school where Bowen Loftin came from.
For an example of how to do it right, see Robert Gates's presidency at the school where Bowen Loftin came from.
9
How ridiculous. This had nothing to do with the issue at hand and all to do with the loss of $32 million (not $1 million--do your research) if the football play didn't go forward. If there is one thing that has taken a holiday in all of these incidents it's fact over fiction. At least they didn't burn the place down this time.
This was petty and handled inappropriately, so don't make it bigger than it really is.
This was petty and handled inappropriately, so don't make it bigger than it really is.
6
Can you imagine if there was "sit in" protesting and Demanding that ALL NCAA teams, especially Football and Basketball could Not be made up of more than 13.2% AA athletes ?? And 18% Hispanics ?
8
I can also imagine empty stadiums. LOLOL.
But you still got hockey, what's the problem?
But you still got hockey, what's the problem?
1
Some of the best hockey teams in college sports are heavily black, after all. But it's Field Hockey, Ballou, especially at U of MD Baltimore.
Hey Jude and CatBallou
No empty stadiums. If you simply required that all student athletes met the admission requirements of other students, yeah you'd probably have a few more white guys as starters on the football and bball teams. But guess what, it's the competition that matters and the difference between most top tier white and black athletes is primarily speed. So now you have 4.5 40 cornerbacks defending against 4.5 40 receivers. In the future you'd have 4.6 corners against 4.6 receivers. Who'd notice.
And while we make the teams reflect the student body (as they should, and as they should represent America) I'd also recommend we get rid of non major majors -- like Black studies.
No empty stadiums. If you simply required that all student athletes met the admission requirements of other students, yeah you'd probably have a few more white guys as starters on the football and bball teams. But guess what, it's the competition that matters and the difference between most top tier white and black athletes is primarily speed. So now you have 4.5 40 cornerbacks defending against 4.5 40 receivers. In the future you'd have 4.6 corners against 4.6 receivers. Who'd notice.
And while we make the teams reflect the student body (as they should, and as they should represent America) I'd also recommend we get rid of non major majors -- like Black studies.
2
By the paranoid comments here, it appears that White Privilege is fading and they are getting desperate.
Hats of to these courageous students for speaking out!!!
Hats of to these courageous students for speaking out!!!
10
Black mob violence is known to have an enervating effect on White Privilege, but since White Flight always follows, it's a Pyrrhic victory for the black anarchists in places like Baltimore, Camden, and Oakland especially.
5
Yep, the totalitarians won the day; hip hip hooray for totalitarians!
8
This amounts to mob rule by radical social activists. Taxpayers who fund the university should be outraged.
Activists are creating a climate of fear and reprisal on campus more like Moscow 1917 rather than America 2015. Student demands in effect put Mr. Wolfe on trial. The state legislature must step in and reign in the university system.
End tenure for radical activist teachers who don't teach the full load but rather pursue politics.
Activists are creating a climate of fear and reprisal on campus more like Moscow 1917 rather than America 2015. Student demands in effect put Mr. Wolfe on trial. The state legislature must step in and reign in the university system.
End tenure for radical activist teachers who don't teach the full load but rather pursue politics.
9
A football team won't play and college officials resign? What has America fallen to? The LEAST IMPORTANT thing on a campus is football! What ever happened to education? Isn't that what colleges are for? Just wait until mob rule comes to YOUR neighborhood.
10
These students and other young people feel the need to protest as a means of qualifying some false struggle they have. Its comical.
13
Mizzou has fallen. What is the next target? I'll bet it won't be a school ranked in the top 25. As one of the Missouri football players was quoted in The New York Times, "If we were 9-0, this wouldn't be happening."
8
I'm sorry but I do not support this kind of action to promote change regarding racial bias. The University would have been fined $1 million if the football team refused to play so the higher-ups nudged out the President and now the Chancellor. The fine was what their resignations were about, not racial problems which exist. I certainly hope these tactics don't set a precedent for other Universities which have this problem. Those students who were engaged in these racial attacks are still walking around on campus.
7
So it's OK for the wealthy and powerful to use any and all tactics (usually behind closed doors) to get what they want, but not so for the disenfranchised?
3
Move football here and at all colleges and universities off campus. They would still have an impact.
1
For those who think Wolfe should not have stepped down, that he caved, creating an ominous precedent as to the efficacy of mob rule, consider Missouri's most famous citizen, Harry Truman, and perhaps his most iconic statement, 'The Buck Stops Here'. If you lead you make the big decisions and you must also be prepared to take the big hit. The irony of Wolfe's having been a quarterback in his halcyon days surely has not escaped him.
7
But the critique of a leader's decision has to be reasonable.
If a million people were in peril and a leader took action, which saved 999,999 it would be unreasonable for a mob to demand his ouster for not saving 100%.
So too here. The claims of what happened were barely substantiated. The President instituted programs to sensitize incoming students to the issues. Could he have done more? Sure. But based on what is alleged to have occurred and by whom - still unclear - his response was reasonable.
Your HST example is about as un-nuanced as the students' demands. Who said an uneducated populace is a not good thing?
If a million people were in peril and a leader took action, which saved 999,999 it would be unreasonable for a mob to demand his ouster for not saving 100%.
So too here. The claims of what happened were barely substantiated. The President instituted programs to sensitize incoming students to the issues. Could he have done more? Sure. But based on what is alleged to have occurred and by whom - still unclear - his response was reasonable.
Your HST example is about as un-nuanced as the students' demands. Who said an uneducated populace is a not good thing?
3
There is a process to do things, not mob rule by screaming students.
I really hope they pay through the nose by raised tuition and fees to cover the presidents golden parachute.
I have no respect for mod rule.
I really hope they pay through the nose by raised tuition and fees to cover the presidents golden parachute.
I have no respect for mod rule.
3
I noticed closed fists, and I remembered this was how the Black Panthers and the violence filled and racist black power movements of the 60's ran their groups off the road.
When young black people make war on other students and calmly insist on a right to violate the Constitution because they "feel they have a need" they are headed for history's ash heap.Such movements, using a school's prime money makers to effect their desires, merely imitate so many big businesses they detest. I wonder if any of these protester's read Ellison's "The Invisible Man"?
When young black people make war on other students and calmly insist on a right to violate the Constitution because they "feel they have a need" they are headed for history's ash heap.Such movements, using a school's prime money makers to effect their desires, merely imitate so many big businesses they detest. I wonder if any of these protester's read Ellison's "The Invisible Man"?
7
"Many of the students and faculty members who took part in demonstrations had also been inspired by the protest movement sparked last year in Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis, after a white police officer there killed Michael Brown,"
To help heal racial divisions, we need for President Obama to go on television and explain that "Hands up, Don't Shoot" was a lie disproved by African-Americans testifying to the Ferguson grand jury. Removing this misunderstanding would help to alleviate anger on both sides of the controversy.
To help heal racial divisions, we need for President Obama to go on television and explain that "Hands up, Don't Shoot" was a lie disproved by African-Americans testifying to the Ferguson grand jury. Removing this misunderstanding would help to alleviate anger on both sides of the controversy.
5
As if that is the only issue....
2
Don't hold your breath. On the day of the Sandy Hook grade-school massacre, Obama skied off to yet another fundraiser. Indeed, when he imposed himself on the small Oregon town reeling from a school massacre several weeks ago, it was simple convenience that impelled him while en route to back-to-to back fundraisers in twee San Francisco, and adoring Los Angeles -- where folks do not "cling to their guns, and religion." President Pander.
3
“Tim Wolfe’s resignation was a necessary step toward healing and reconciliation...."
But when cowards bow to mob rule, why expect "healing and reconciliation"?
Mob rule successes lead to even more mob excesses, such as this ...
University of Missouri Protesters Clash With Reporters, Declare ‘No Media Safe Space’
http://www.mediaite.com/online/university-of-missouri-protesters-clash-w...
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/11/09/mizzou-protesters-to-me...
Mizzou Mob Video: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/11/10/missouri-protesters-try-to-block-st...
Surprised?
But when cowards bow to mob rule, why expect "healing and reconciliation"?
Mob rule successes lead to even more mob excesses, such as this ...
University of Missouri Protesters Clash With Reporters, Declare ‘No Media Safe Space’
http://www.mediaite.com/online/university-of-missouri-protesters-clash-w...
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/11/09/mizzou-protesters-to-me...
Mizzou Mob Video: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/11/10/missouri-protesters-try-to-block-st...
Surprised?
8
This is not a surprise as University administrators are typically puppets whose strings are pulled by big donors and/or political power brokers. Leadership at UoM had the chance to shine, but failed at addressing a sensitive issue.
Date rape, race problems, and athletics are a huge issue on college campuses, and it is time for the suits/skirts in charge do their jobs.
Date rape, race problems, and athletics are a huge issue on college campuses, and it is time for the suits/skirts in charge do their jobs.
5
The trouble began with the Board of Curators: they hired a businessman to carry out a limited agenda, reducing costs at an educational institution, instead of hiring an educator able to lead an educational institution, sensitive to students and faculty, and competent to judge the merits of staff-proposed cuts. The interesting figure is Mr. McCarter, who opines that President Wolfe "was made a scapegoat for things he didn’t do"; he was not a scapegoat, but the official who "didn't do" anything to address problems which he did not understand or to which he was indifferent. If McCarter reflects widespread alumni opinion, he exemplifies the statewide moral obtuseness to pervasive social injustices. The "Show Me State" is not showing me or anyone else anything worthy of public display.
6
These students are in for a rude awakening when they are outside of campus life. "One white man" insults the exclusionary Legion of Black Collegians group, and they blame the president? What?
Using their logic, they might as well have demanded President Obama resign.
Using their logic, they might as well have demanded President Obama resign.
8
Gee, your racism is only peeping out the ends of your sleeves.
3
After reading several letters I am amazed, perhaps I shouldn't be, at the tone deafness of some writers. The students are not "inmates running the asylum" nor did the UM president resign because of "mob rule." "Mob rule" indicates that the students were unorganized without a clear set principles and rules and that appears to be just the opposite of what happened.
A president at any institution be it in academia, the corporate world or government is suppose to lead and this is what Mr. Wolfe failed to do rendering him unfit for the job.
A president at any institution be it in academia, the corporate world or government is suppose to lead and this is what Mr. Wolfe failed to do rendering him unfit for the job.
9
What is funny to me is that the President of the University resigned NOW as compared to the Chancellor who will "Step down at the end of the year." In other words, the Chancellor wants his fatter Pension; nothing will stop a Government worker from "getting theirs." Amazing how all these professions that were once noble and "unappreciated"- Teacher, Cop, Firefighter, Librarian, etc.- have become so wrought with fraud and corruption for the sake of Pension benefits at the expense of the original purposes of the jobs.
Great! Now the football players can go back to being unpaid slaves generating money for a university that values football revenue more than supporting its administration. Talk about getting an education!
13
9:38 am
to the editors: This is a a truthful and honest expression of one persons opinion. The ny times readers can handle it. It deserves to be heard. (repost)
My experience of the black community is not from the elite academic or university settings.
I have known many hard working and really nice blacks. I am friends with some really smart and decent black individuals.
I was raised to identify with and feel compassion for black people. To feel they were the victim. Experience changed my view.
One can read the statistics of black crime, but unless you are poor and grow up within that community you don't know the horror it is. I did and i know.
Growing up I had way too many seriously unpleasant experiences. From being held up at gun point, to break ins, to having my wife stalked by a black man, and having black guys often hit upon my wife within my presence. (think Cosby)
To some they are statistics. To me reality. Therefore on the whole over time i came to resent the black community.
I applaud my friend’s who are black for being great individuals and i feel bad that they have to carry a stigma through no action of their own.
But to the protesters, don't blame people who are judging you based on conduct, change your conduct.
Nobody cares about the color of your skin, or even intelligence but everyone does care about your moral character and how you conduct yourself.
to the editors: This is a a truthful and honest expression of one persons opinion. The ny times readers can handle it. It deserves to be heard. (repost)
My experience of the black community is not from the elite academic or university settings.
I have known many hard working and really nice blacks. I am friends with some really smart and decent black individuals.
I was raised to identify with and feel compassion for black people. To feel they were the victim. Experience changed my view.
One can read the statistics of black crime, but unless you are poor and grow up within that community you don't know the horror it is. I did and i know.
Growing up I had way too many seriously unpleasant experiences. From being held up at gun point, to break ins, to having my wife stalked by a black man, and having black guys often hit upon my wife within my presence. (think Cosby)
To some they are statistics. To me reality. Therefore on the whole over time i came to resent the black community.
I applaud my friend’s who are black for being great individuals and i feel bad that they have to carry a stigma through no action of their own.
But to the protesters, don't blame people who are judging you based on conduct, change your conduct.
Nobody cares about the color of your skin, or even intelligence but everyone does care about your moral character and how you conduct yourself.
8
If it is true that no one cares about the color of one's skin, why do you spend so long talking about blacks and black crime? It is clear that you have an opinion about blacks in general, especially given that you say you "came to resent the black community." So, it is also clear that skin color means something to you. It's also telling that you suggest the protesters were being judged based on their conduct. Are you presuming there was something wrong in their conduct?
12
What in the word does your comment have to do with a university president who proved himself to be indifferent to addressing a series of heinous, racially-motivated actions?
Besides, every single unpleasant experience you list is committed by whites, too. To only hold blacks responsible for committing them is outrageous and deeply offensive. To imply that these students, because they are black, are headed toward the same fate of a life of crime and miscreant behavior, is just plain bizarre.
You are disturbingly uninformed.
Besides, every single unpleasant experience you list is committed by whites, too. To only hold blacks responsible for committing them is outrageous and deeply offensive. To imply that these students, because they are black, are headed toward the same fate of a life of crime and miscreant behavior, is just plain bizarre.
You are disturbingly uninformed.
2
Racism shrouded in pious insincere rhetoric.
Good job!
Good job!
4
That the president resigned because of a football team boycott explains why both your cell phone and computer are made in China, and there is no hope in having one made in America any time soon as Steve Jobs correctly informed Obama.
The president and Chancellor DO NOT run the university. The university is a bureaucracy that exists to perpetuate itself. This president trying to trim the bureaucracy is what made him unpopular.
The article states that the student body president was black, and that the majority of students were white. How does that speak to a racist environment?
Why does President Wolfe has to pay for Ferguson? well there are unintended consequences ALWAYS... why do Syrian middle class families (AKA refugees) have to pay for our invasion of Iraq? Go figure! What is for sure is that the unintended consequence of this is a temporary curbing of budget cuts, followed by a budgetary crisis that will (1) result in a serious tuition hike say by 2022, and (2) elimination of some of the "troublesome" departments where many of the students come from and some of the "expensive" science departments.
The president and Chancellor DO NOT run the university. The university is a bureaucracy that exists to perpetuate itself. This president trying to trim the bureaucracy is what made him unpopular.
The article states that the student body president was black, and that the majority of students were white. How does that speak to a racist environment?
Why does President Wolfe has to pay for Ferguson? well there are unintended consequences ALWAYS... why do Syrian middle class families (AKA refugees) have to pay for our invasion of Iraq? Go figure! What is for sure is that the unintended consequence of this is a temporary curbing of budget cuts, followed by a budgetary crisis that will (1) result in a serious tuition hike say by 2022, and (2) elimination of some of the "troublesome" departments where many of the students come from and some of the "expensive" science departments.
4
Video of Professor Meliissa Quick, threatening a journalist,"You have to go, you have to go," and then saying to students, "We need some muscle here,"is pathetic, and leads me to question her motives. Is she trying to find a second youth by supporting the protesters?Is she a left wing activist? Does it give her a warm, reassuring feeling of solidarity to identify with students half her age?I suspect that these may be her motives, but she is setting a bad example, because the authority that students r protesting against is the same authority that pays her salary.I am certain that one result of the chaos at "Mizzou" will be an increased emphasis on political correctness, and a hypersensitivity to saying anything controversial, no matter who intelligent, for fear of sparking another riot. Am reminded of talk given at Brooklyn College by Pam Geller on free speech and Islamic radicalism.She was rudely interrupted by the audience, where a number of women were wearing hijabs and niquabs, and shouting "Thank God for ISIS!"Faculty advisors present made no effort to restore civility so that PG could speak, and appeared to be egging the students on, to the amazement of Ms. Geller, who was visibly shaken. So much for tolerance of free speech on US college campuses."Degoutant; tout a fait degoutant!"
7
Nothing like extreme bullying to get what you want. Should let all the sports players with scholarships get kicked out of school. You work for what you want people. You don't bully people.
6
The amount of organizing, planning, gathering, and brainstorming that went in to establishing this protest was no doubt done so with a ton of hard work from dedicated students. The climate at the university has become hostile to those marked as "other" in attendance. After relentless complaints and inaction, what would you propose the students do? Wait? Talk more? Action had to be taken and will continue to be taken. With hard work, of course.
6
A lot of this is about leadership. If race is an issue and people are getting upset, if the leader does not recognize it, he or she is not much of a leader. If recognized and put on the back burner, even less so.
Remembering what happened in Ferguson, MO, any University leader who does not recognize the importance of securing and maintaining positive race relations should resign.
Certainly a challenge, but one a true leader would jump right into .
Remembering what happened in Ferguson, MO, any University leader who does not recognize the importance of securing and maintaining positive race relations should resign.
Certainly a challenge, but one a true leader would jump right into .
8
The resignation of the President of the school probably never would have happened if the football team did not refuse to play. Football is very important to most universities as it is the driving force behind their very existence. Football funds a lot of schools. Bravo to the football team.
9
I strongly disagree. The players are privileged to be there at all, they have no right to strike.
They should be suspended.
They should be suspended.
3
One really big problem with this situation is that the protesters, including a mass communications professor (journalism professor) were trying to eject photographers and reporters from the scene. The journalism called for some "muscle" to eject the photographer. Really? Free press is as important as freedom of speech and freedom to protest. What kind of message is that?
15
Dear critics you’re not happy when minorities march to demand justice or when a few loot and set fires in response to official racism, now we have a case when minority students in conjunction with facility and other students peacefully and legally force a college president to resign for ignoring extreme and ongoing racial problems.
Let’s just face the fact that regardless of how minority request change you are not going to be happy about it and find excuses why what they did was wrong. Then we can move on to understanding why you expect minorities just to take any abuse offered as fair and just. Speaking as a minority myself we will not go back into the closet, this country is never going back to the 1950 when blacks and others minorities were subservient, that time is dead and neither Donald Trump or Jeb Bush can resurrect it, I suggest you get with the program and stop making excuses, you can only be on the wrong side of history for so long.
Let’s just face the fact that regardless of how minority request change you are not going to be happy about it and find excuses why what they did was wrong. Then we can move on to understanding why you expect minorities just to take any abuse offered as fair and just. Speaking as a minority myself we will not go back into the closet, this country is never going back to the 1950 when blacks and others minorities were subservient, that time is dead and neither Donald Trump or Jeb Bush can resurrect it, I suggest you get with the program and stop making excuses, you can only be on the wrong side of history for so long.
12
Yesterday on CNN, Anderson Cooper reported that the Missouri Athletic Department generated $83.7 million during fiscal year 2014. This is pretty typical of the quality of reporting on the University of Missouri protests. The Athletic Department generated $83.7 million in revenues, but spent $80.2 million, leaving it a “profit” of $3.5 million, it’s second year of profit after decades of losing millions of dollars every year. . Since $1.5 of its revenue came for the university’s general operating fund, it actually made $2 million. It only made this much because the university’s supporters “earmarked” $20 million in donations for the athletic program to ensure it would not be “wasted” on academic programs. But even the $2 million profit is illusionary. According to the Kansas City Star, the university’s outstanding athletic debt increased 255 percent in 2104, from $22,839,576 to $81,268,862, a spike attributed to new bonds issued for Memorial Stadium’s renovation and east-side expansion.
4
So there were 3 events reported that started this whole thing.
1) A group of men yelled racial slurs at the student association president
2) A man used racial epithets during a rehersal
3) A swastika was smeared on a wall
Were the actual people responsible for these events ever located or charged? Why is the school being held responsible for the actions of a few nameless individuals?
1) A group of men yelled racial slurs at the student association president
2) A man used racial epithets during a rehersal
3) A swastika was smeared on a wall
Were the actual people responsible for these events ever located or charged? Why is the school being held responsible for the actions of a few nameless individuals?
13
It's Chinatown Jim.
4
The news coverage of the University of Missouri protests condemns the university's white students of committing hate crimes against its black students without evidence. There no reason to conclude a white student scrawled the swastika on the dormitory wall. (Allegedly, the person used his own excrement to draw the swastika, but no reporter has bothered to ask how any could know this.) Student Association President Payton Head claims a red pickup truck slowed and young people riding in the bed of the pickup screamed the n-word at him, but there’s no reason to conclude the pickup occupants were students. Payton didn’t bother to take a cellphone photo or jot down a license plate number. Payton protests the “exclusion” of black students from campus life, but his election as student body president seems to indicate blacks are included in campus life. Black student protesters repeatedly told reporters that they felt unsafe on campus, but the university’s Clery Report lists only one assault so far this year, and both the victim and offender were white. The Clery Report show no campus assaults in 2014 or 2013, but in 2012 a female student by a male wearing a hoodie who “bear hugged”” her and then ran off into the night, but the report does not include the race of either the victim or the offender. If a white student told a reporter the presence of black students make him or her feel unsafe, they would branded as racists.
13
Facts do not matter. Only the narrative of white privilege they use as a weapon to get what they want.
4
HAHAHA. GOOD. Live by the sword, die by the sword. College administrators shove their pc nonsense down peoples' throats, indoctrinating young people into leftism. Now the snake has turned and bit the handler! This entire issue is nonsense. You hear about protests, but not SPECIFIC problems. Someone heard that someone said something racist at a party, so someone should be punished? HA! When will you degenerates judge a person by character, not skin color. Look at all the democrats attacking Dr. Carson. Apparently, he's not "black enough". Disgusting.
5
It is outrageous that a football team becomes a deciding factor in forcing the President and Chancellor of the University to resign. Exactly what will their substitutes do to satisfy the minority? We have become a nation of victims, unable and unwilling to maturely accept the fact that in every facet of society you will find insensitive and unkind individuals.
Unfortunately, the grownups at the University capitulated, providing a model for change fueled by anger, shouting and demands for one-sided solution Disgraceful and will not result in a Utopian environment.
Unfortunately, the grownups at the University capitulated, providing a model for change fueled by anger, shouting and demands for one-sided solution Disgraceful and will not result in a Utopian environment.
9
Having never felt the sting of discrimination I can't genuinely relate to the University of Missouri protesters' feelings although I can sympathize with their feelings. A TV news report showed the student government president was African American so I looked at the student government page on the University's website. It showed five of the six individually pictured student government officers were African American. Although the student government leadership racial is only one small piece of the total minority student experience at the University, having a majority of student government leadership be African American seems ironic in light of the students' protests about discrimination.
6
Oh white people you’re not happy when minorities march to demand justice or when a few loot and set fires in response to official racism, now we have a case when minority students in conjunction with facility and other students peacefully and legally force a college president to resign for ignoring extreme and ongoing racial problems.
Let’s just face the fact that regardless of how minority request change you are not going to be happy about it and find excuses why what they did was wrong. Then we can move on to understanding why you expect minorities just to take any abuse offered as fair and just. Speaking as a minority myself we will not go back into the closet, this country is never going back to the 1950 when blacks and others minorities were subservient, that time is dead and neither Donald Trump or Jeb Bush can resurrect it, I suggest you get with the program and stop making excuses, you can only be on the wrong side of history for so long.
Let’s just face the fact that regardless of how minority request change you are not going to be happy about it and find excuses why what they did was wrong. Then we can move on to understanding why you expect minorities just to take any abuse offered as fair and just. Speaking as a minority myself we will not go back into the closet, this country is never going back to the 1950 when blacks and others minorities were subservient, that time is dead and neither Donald Trump or Jeb Bush can resurrect it, I suggest you get with the program and stop making excuses, you can only be on the wrong side of history for so long.
6
White and Asian students across the country should protest the institutional racism of affirmative action and not return to class until every university changes its policies to race neutral or every president resigns.
11
I find it really heartening that young people are refusing to have their concerns ignored and marginalized any more. Their passion and anger is what is necessary to get certain people to pay attention. They have discovered first hand that they are not powerless.
8
maybe we could get the token white player on each college football team to start protests.
3
Wolfe was actually a very good president. He had dealt with title IX issues firmly, quickly and fully. He would have dealt with perceived or real racial and other discriminatory issues also well. The allegations against him were blown way out of proportion.
Chancellor Bowen Loftin, brilliant at times initially, had lately become insufferable and erratic and he blundered on many issues. His actions caused great instability and insecurities on the Columbia campus. The president has had to go because of Loftin's mistakes in handling a number of issues.
The campus and the University need to heal, there are enough callenges.
Chancellor Bowen Loftin, brilliant at times initially, had lately become insufferable and erratic and he blundered on many issues. His actions caused great instability and insecurities on the Columbia campus. The president has had to go because of Loftin's mistakes in handling a number of issues.
The campus and the University need to heal, there are enough callenges.
3
"A series of racist incidents" wrote the reporter.
"They saw a myriad of problems...." wrote sarahsocks a NYT commenter.
I wonder what they were? In the reporting I have read so far, at least, I am having trouble locating incidents and problems of much substance. Granted, there were incidents of hateful activity reported, but they hardly seem to amount to cause for toppling the administration of the school--especially the conflating the Ferguson riots to incidents on campus. That's probably because I am too much in the main stream and not a part of academia.
Group think and mob rule aren't things that should be succumbed to with such ease. It is difficult for me to conclude that wrongs were committed let alone now resolved, based upon what I have seen in the news media, including this article. Social Media and Public Think have become overwhelming. Is this really a good thing?
"They saw a myriad of problems...." wrote sarahsocks a NYT commenter.
I wonder what they were? In the reporting I have read so far, at least, I am having trouble locating incidents and problems of much substance. Granted, there were incidents of hateful activity reported, but they hardly seem to amount to cause for toppling the administration of the school--especially the conflating the Ferguson riots to incidents on campus. That's probably because I am too much in the main stream and not a part of academia.
Group think and mob rule aren't things that should be succumbed to with such ease. It is difficult for me to conclude that wrongs were committed let alone now resolved, based upon what I have seen in the news media, including this article. Social Media and Public Think have become overwhelming. Is this really a good thing?
13
Were any crimes committed or were feelings merely hurt? If a crime was committed, isn't it the responsibility of the police not president. What if the food in the cafeteria is not warm enough? Fire the next president?
9
Sure, craig, lukewarm french fries=swastika smeared in feces. Got it.
3
So, Tim Wolfe was brought in from the corporate world to solve financial problems at the university. The same has happened in colleges and universities all over the country. Despite the corporate folklore, these moves create as many problems as they might solve. Case in point: tuitions so high that students will work all of their lives to pay the loans back. Higher education ought to reconsider promoting its academics to leadership positions rather than hiring business-school graduates who prefer profit over social justice.
5
I truly don't know enough about any of the facts in this case to comment about whether or not the resignations were warranted. And that's exactly the problem, it seems, from the get-go. The administration should have investigated the various accounts of racist incidents and dealt with them according to a set standard of rules about behavior on campus (which, if they don't have one already, they should start working on for the future). There should be a clear process for reporting incidents, an independent committee or council to gather facts, and a clear policy on consequences. It sets the tone about what is acceptable and makes it clear to everyone what the university considers to be appropriate behavior. Absent of that kind of clearly spelled out policy, you end up with the situation you have now: a group of people who feel wronged — wrongly accused, wrongly persecuted, wrongly ignored, and wrongly dismissed. I'll leave it up to others to define for themselves how the various groups and individuals feel. But, heads up, as someone else said in these comments, real change comes from within and rarely happens through coercion or punishment. Student groups may feel vindicated but there are many people who, sadly, will respond not with a change in attitude but with anger and resentment.
3
The result of this development -- The University of Missouri is now OFFICIALLY a joke of an institution of higher education.
Why would any parent send their kid there or any student want to go to a "university" like this if they actually wanted to learn something or get a degree that would help them get a job after their studies?
Every university that indulges this kind of adolescent behavior can welcome the same reaction -- you are no longer a viable institution of higher education.
Why would any parent send their kid there or any student want to go to a "university" like this if they actually wanted to learn something or get a degree that would help them get a job after their studies?
Every university that indulges this kind of adolescent behavior can welcome the same reaction -- you are no longer a viable institution of higher education.
11
Tell us, James, are you the "official" who "officially" made the declaration in your Court of Omnipotence there at your coffee table in Myrtle Beach? Your honor?
2
What stands out to me about all of this is that it appears that once again, sports rules all. Imagine a group of students (not "student athletes") protesting and telling the authority figures that they are going to boycott their classes. Can you imagine what might have happened? Absolutely nothing. Now you bring in the football players who are threatening to boycott the upcoming game, with $750k on the line, and all of sudden Presidents and Chancellors are running for the doors. Even with this "victory", I can only imagine that the kinds of change described in this article will be a long time coming for the African American students who make up only 7% of the student population (https://diversity.missouri.edu/about/stats/). I wish it were otherwise. I wish people would just treat each other with the respect and dignity we all deserve as humans. Maybe this is a start in the right direction, even if the circumstances by which it occurred are somewhat questionable in my mind.
1
"Officials said Mr. Loftin would remain at the university in a research role."
What sort of research role? Is this a lateral move or a demotion? What's his new salary going to be?
What sort of research role? Is this a lateral move or a demotion? What's his new salary going to be?
1
Many readers still do not understand that there is MUCH more behind the demand for Mr. Wolfe's resignation than race so please read this. As I posted yesterday morning, " Like many commenters I wasn't fully informed about the reasons behind people asking for Mr. Wolfe's resignation so I did some checking. It's about MUCH more than racism but the press has chosen to focus on that since black students are demanding change - and it's about time. Apparently Mr. Wolfe is a radical religious right and Koch brothers operative because he cancelled the long-standing contract with Planned Parenthood and tried to deny graduate students decent pay and health insurance. WE do not need Koch brothers, radical religious right operatives or racists running OUR publicly funded education systems and NO money should go to any educational establishment that puts religious belief above the rights of the rest of us or are in it for pure profit. WE have had enough. Here are a couple of background articles:"
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/university-of-missouri-grad...
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/state-and-regional/university-of-miss...
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/university-of-missouri-grad...
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/state-and-regional/university-of-miss...
9
What a joy to finally see some justice in Missouri, a state that has quietly and politely demonstrated racism for years without notice. The type of racism that exists in the St. Louis area and Missouri is people who live intellectual, thoughtful lives... well educated white people, people who should know better. The Missouri brand of racism pretends to be "avoidance of conflict" when it is really a passive aggressive version of hatred toward blacks.
I taught music in the public schools near Fergusion and many of my students were from that town. I witnessed first hand the manner in which the white Baptist school administrators singled out black students routinely for punishment and frequently turned a blind eye to the misbehavior of white kids at the school. When I complained about it, the complaints were dismissed and the vice principals chuckled in the faculty lounge about the stupid young white band director who was making trouble. Before long a group of white band parents formed a special group to try to get me fired for "showing favoritism" to black students that weren't as talented as their kids. It was a threatening and demoralizing experience. To the head principal's credit, this parent's group was shut down, but my scars from trying to teach in this horrible environment have stayed with me my whole life.
Missouri is a deeply segregated state. Thank goodness we are finally shining a light on it.
I taught music in the public schools near Fergusion and many of my students were from that town. I witnessed first hand the manner in which the white Baptist school administrators singled out black students routinely for punishment and frequently turned a blind eye to the misbehavior of white kids at the school. When I complained about it, the complaints were dismissed and the vice principals chuckled in the faculty lounge about the stupid young white band director who was making trouble. Before long a group of white band parents formed a special group to try to get me fired for "showing favoritism" to black students that weren't as talented as their kids. It was a threatening and demoralizing experience. To the head principal's credit, this parent's group was shut down, but my scars from trying to teach in this horrible environment have stayed with me my whole life.
Missouri is a deeply segregated state. Thank goodness we are finally shining a light on it.
11
Amen, Chris, AMEN! (I am a 61-year-old white woman.) It appears that now the "shoe is on the other foot" and I hope finally, the bigots/racists get a "taste of their own medicine." It will be the young people of today who will change course in this state as well as across the entire University of Missouri system. All of us need to help make the changes necessary to right the sickening wrongs of history in Missouri.
3
I was in college during the violent student protests of the 1960s.Here we go again in the 2010s.Missouri is only the beginning.Time for some true investigative journalism to determine what organizations are funding and encouraging these protests.Anyone want to guess George Soros?
5
I'm really proud of what the students were able to accomplish. The point I want to make is what if this is one of those campuses that the NRA is working so hard to get guns on, in, around, think about it?
3
9/11 occurred while I was in college. In the days/weeks/months following the attack there was a lot of prejudice and hate aimed at anyone that even looked like they were from the Middle East. I remember students from countries like Bangladesh telling me how they were intimidated (to say the least). My reaction? I organized with students of all races and backgrounds to hold events on campus to educate the student body on what was going on in the world, where their fellow students have come from, and addressed racism by letting students speak for themselves on campus. We didn't look to the president of the university (who was black) to quell hate, ignorance, and prejudice. We didn't even think of doing that. It wasn't his fault - it was our fault. The students. The students intimidated other students. The same is true here, but yet these (who some call 'brilliant') students look to blame anyone other than themselves. Their not brilliant; they're lazy and loud. You can protest racism your entire life in a tent community, shouting, holding signs, while starving yourself, and the number of racists will remain the same. Put all of that effort into formally speaking with and educating your peers on how they are ignorant, and you stand a far better chance of enlightening someone to no longer act upon their ignorance. A one-sided shouting match does nothing but create a wider divide.
8
Unlike the UM students, you do not understand the role of a university president, who, unlike students, possesses the proper authority by which to investigate acts of hatred that could be criminal. That is the practical and formal approach, and one for which a university president is compensated.
You really need to get out more.
You really need to get out more.
6
These students, while giving the appearance of strength, are in all actuality proving themselves to be incredibly emotionally weak. Observe the "shrieking girl" at Yale who, while living in perhaps the most privileged place that academia can provide on earth, has the gall to scream obscenities at her House Master for daring to support his wife who's email suggested that students should be empowered to make their own decisions.
This is infantile group-think on a grand scale, and the University Administrators, who should be providing adult guidance and leadership, are caving in to these gangs of enfant terriblé's and showing them that if they hold their breath long enough (or fast for a week) that mom (dad's are noticeably absent here) will give them that candy bar.
UM, get ready for an unending list of demands, because if you think this is over, you are dreaming. There will always be another slight, another disapproving glance, disproportionate funds etc. You sold you souls and gave away your authority for a few bucks from a football game this weekend.
This is infantile group-think on a grand scale, and the University Administrators, who should be providing adult guidance and leadership, are caving in to these gangs of enfant terriblé's and showing them that if they hold their breath long enough (or fast for a week) that mom (dad's are noticeably absent here) will give them that candy bar.
UM, get ready for an unending list of demands, because if you think this is over, you are dreaming. There will always be another slight, another disapproving glance, disproportionate funds etc. You sold you souls and gave away your authority for a few bucks from a football game this weekend.
9
the inmates are running the asylum. Most children do not have the maturity to make good business decisions and therefore have normally bad ideas. What I see here is a bunch of children throwing a hissy fit pushed on by agitators. The list of demands are immature and look they were produced by 12 yr olds.
10
James, would your comment be the same if these students were demanding the right to carry concealed weapons on campus? Would you consider the NRA to be an "agitator" pushing the children to throw a hissy fit? I'm just asking.
4
"Many of the students and faculty members who took part in demonstrations had also been inspired by the protest movement sparked last year in Ferguson,"
Ahem - correctly stated - you do mean "inspired by the riots sparked last year in Ferguson." Yes - those riots which destroyed the town's businesses and its hopes because a thug was apprehended, preferred to try to kill a cop, and then was rightfully - as determined by the quick to falsely accuse Obama and Holder - killed in self-defense.
Ahem - correctly stated - you do mean "inspired by the riots sparked last year in Ferguson." Yes - those riots which destroyed the town's businesses and its hopes because a thug was apprehended, preferred to try to kill a cop, and then was rightfully - as determined by the quick to falsely accuse Obama and Holder - killed in self-defense.
8
This is not racism, this is an excuse for mob rule.
Soon we will decline from a cohesive country with a constitution to tribes. Tribes classified in accord with the division's identified by our president. Eg: race, income,Wall Street, banks, insurance companies, polluting energy companies, environmental radicals , etc.
Yet the only class political correctness will not permit is to identify or ridicule is the president or related politcal ruling class.
This president ran on a platform of transparency and bringing this country together. He has accomished exactly the opposite.
Soon we will decline from a cohesive country with a constitution to tribes. Tribes classified in accord with the division's identified by our president. Eg: race, income,Wall Street, banks, insurance companies, polluting energy companies, environmental radicals , etc.
Yet the only class political correctness will not permit is to identify or ridicule is the president or related politcal ruling class.
This president ran on a platform of transparency and bringing this country together. He has accomished exactly the opposite.
8
If the job of a corporate predident is 80% management and 20% politics, the job of a university president is the exact opposite. Let this be a warning to all private sector leaders entering the world of academia: leave your MBA at home, you're no longer in business, you're now a politician.
4
Odd how few here seem not to believe a professor calling for "muscle" to remove a student reporter is of consequence. The cracking down on free speech on campuses is alarming. Clearly any problem of racism needs to be addressed, but not by a gang of students and faculty acting as thugs to get their way.
What happened to discussion and respecting the rights of others?
What happened to discussion and respecting the rights of others?
9
Wonderful for these students to stand up for what they believe. What I found so refreshing is the fact that they have realized the power they truly have. I am loving that none of the usual characters showed up to fight over who gets the most camera time. I take my hat off to the football players who answered a higher calling. The way they love the game they play and to be willing to give that up for principle showed a lot of character. I am so proud to see our children who many dismiss as selfish and self-serving coming of age. The movement for equal rights is not dead in America it’s just been on holiday. I think all around the country folks are realizing its time to get back to work. Bravo!
11
I am perplexed that the statement that President Wolfe said to the African Americans that was recorded and is available in a video on the web is not being reported on. Why? He blamed the systematic oppression of African Americans on the students' beliefs! They were outraged. Why, New York Times, was that not mentioned in this article?
2
I wouldn't mind seeing the quote, but if they put it in as you phrase it, all it would be doing is including your opinion along with the reporters'.
I'm not sure what it is that the winners think they have won? Will things be better now?
9
Completely agree! A ... "so now what?" moment.
Nobody should ever feel frightened to be at their college because people on campus are screaming racist abuse at them, hostilely confronting them while they meet outdoors on the campus and smearing Nazi symbols in feces in a dormitory bathroom - all of which happened on this campus recently. Any of these actions would frighten a reasonable person and make them feel they are not safe and not wanted on the campus. The lack of concern for the welfare of the minority students by the administration was contemptuous and very disturbing. The videotape of former president Timothy Wolfe placing the fault of these frightening and hostile actions on the black students themselves is appalling and shows Wolfe's inability to even recognize how serious the problem was. He deserved to be forced out.
Side issue - Melissa Click, a U. Minnesota professor of Media Studies, now widely seen on video demanding a student journalist 'leave' a public demonstration outdoors on the campus, repeatedly telling him he had no right to photograph the demonstration and Click then requesting 'muscle' to come physically remove the student journalist - should be fired. Immediately. Yes, people were angry but harassing and threatening a student journalist was a violation of exactly what this issue was about - the right of students to be safe on their campus without being abused or threatened by anyone. Professor Click doesn't understand that. Fire her.
Side issue - Melissa Click, a U. Minnesota professor of Media Studies, now widely seen on video demanding a student journalist 'leave' a public demonstration outdoors on the campus, repeatedly telling him he had no right to photograph the demonstration and Click then requesting 'muscle' to come physically remove the student journalist - should be fired. Immediately. Yes, people were angry but harassing and threatening a student journalist was a violation of exactly what this issue was about - the right of students to be safe on their campus without being abused or threatened by anyone. Professor Click doesn't understand that. Fire her.
7
I am very mixed on the current attention given to racial relations. I do not doubt that there are true feelings of racism for many minorities and I would never want to deny someone the right to express that feeling. But I wonder if many of those whom are making the racist statements or commit racist acts are just sitting back and loving all of the controversy they create through their actions. Why do we continue to give them attention? If someone is truly racist wouldn't he or she love to see everyone getting so upset about what they did or said? By telling everyone that someone hurt your feelings you are giving that person a tremendous amount of power and attention, which will only encourage that person to continue to engage in that behavior. I am not old enough to have experienced the civil rights fights years ago, but I think that when I learned about it in school the thing that stood out the most was the strength of the protesters and marchers to have people spit in their face and yell at them, but yet they kept going. They did not give those people power over them. I think that today's focus on feelings and microaggressions has the opposite effect. By telling people they hurt your feelings, you have given them considerable power over you, versus you having power and control of your own life/self.
5
Melissa Click, assistant professor for mass media, "Hey, who wants to help me get this reporter out of here. I need some muscle over here." This in response to a student reporter trying to interview and talk to the protestors. Absolutely mind boggling to see a professor of mass media strong arming the first amendment guarantee of freedom of the press. The behavior of the protestors seemed to morph into a weird fascist response to other students who wanted to just cover the events and interview those participating in the protests. Hopefully, this professor won't make it to the associate level.
15
The majority of the posters here seem to feel comfortable overlooking this kind of behavior.
Instead they call these mush brained students courageous along with their fascist professors.
Threatening physical harm to a student reporter by a professor (who was of Asian decent I might add) just goes to show the real thuggish behavior of the left.
The left is on full display here at this "protest", people need to take notice.
I might also add in regards to the swastika, does anyone else find it strange that it was created with feces?
I submit that it wasn't intended to intimidate minority students, but was placed there by a minority student as a way of harassing white students.
Look at the false reports of needles and razor blades in Halloween candy, IMO many of these "incidents" are false and/or are perpetrated by the "victims" themselves to get attention.
And lastly, wasn't the election of Obama supposed to be the end of all this "racism"?
Instead they call these mush brained students courageous along with their fascist professors.
Threatening physical harm to a student reporter by a professor (who was of Asian decent I might add) just goes to show the real thuggish behavior of the left.
The left is on full display here at this "protest", people need to take notice.
I might also add in regards to the swastika, does anyone else find it strange that it was created with feces?
I submit that it wasn't intended to intimidate minority students, but was placed there by a minority student as a way of harassing white students.
Look at the false reports of needles and razor blades in Halloween candy, IMO many of these "incidents" are false and/or are perpetrated by the "victims" themselves to get attention.
And lastly, wasn't the election of Obama supposed to be the end of all this "racism"?
6
"Cutting costs" by removing health insurance for TAs and also dropping Planned Parenthood sounds dumb. The issue is a culture of racism. So the departure of a couple of academics is also no solution. Instead, a frank discussion--without yelling--would be a start.
Years ago, a racist classmate from rural MO just happened to be an ugly person who lied and cheated. If she is a typical example of a local, then big changes ought to take place, but it will take, I guess, a long, long time for them to come. Unfortunately.
Years ago, a racist classmate from rural MO just happened to be an ugly person who lied and cheated. If she is a typical example of a local, then big changes ought to take place, but it will take, I guess, a long, long time for them to come. Unfortunately.
1
The best response to offensive speech is more speech, not less.
3
Ferguson, with the addition of the "protesters" allegedly seeking college degrees. Highly amusing that two University employees attempted to physically intimidate a University student reporter to leave the area of a student demonstration, to include one professor who referenced "needing some muscle over here" to assault and/or batter the reporter. Hmm, I wonder if a call to remove that Professor from her post will be made? Sorry, but no, she will get a pass.
14
The inmates are now running the asylum. As a graduate of the M.U. system, I don't have much respect for this batch of undergraduates. Maybe it's time to rethink "affirmative action."
19
The board of curator's made a huge mistake. Missouri is now controlled by students on the take. They will protest any time they are asked to carry their own load.
The Presiden should have said the game would be cancelled and so would the rest of the season if the students didn't end their protests. The Board of Curators should have backed him. The coach is obviously not in control of this team. He should be fired.
There is no education at the University of Missouri,
The Presiden should have said the game would be cancelled and so would the rest of the season if the students didn't end their protests. The Board of Curators should have backed him. The coach is obviously not in control of this team. He should be fired.
There is no education at the University of Missouri,
14
I don't know who would want to send their kids to Missouri after this craziness. It's hard to tell if all this activity is genuine. Faculty members are mad at administration for cutting costs (which I understand since these people are the heart of the university not a bloated administration which only gets bigger), the football team is in the cellar of the league so they are not sacrificing much and they need a distraction and not one of the racist episodes ever produced a culprit. The episode where a male student walked on stage and threw out racial slurs in front of everyone but nobody knows who this person is confounds logic.
But no matter the problems still exist and now they all have to live with each other and that is a lot more difficult than shouting at each other.
But no matter the problems still exist and now they all have to live with each other and that is a lot more difficult than shouting at each other.
7
What cowardly action, giving in to mob rule! They have done nothing wrong but are intimidated and afraid to stand up for their own convictions.
13
If the football team is involved in the protests, then by all means it's serious. Clearly, football drives what many universities are about now days. It's a shame that scademics don't measure up. Oh, wait--many of the very top universities have varsity football that best resembles a club sport.
5
The university needed to support the president.
The students nowadays are becoming tyrants ; whining about "micro-aggressions" and PC nonsense. If someone says something offensive to you, move on, get over it. Those students need to stop acting aggrieved and find the library and thank god they have an opportunity for an education. The football team does not own the university and most are on scholarship to play. If they do not play they cannot stay. How dare they give an ultimatum to the university! What a bunch of spoiled brats!
The students nowadays are becoming tyrants ; whining about "micro-aggressions" and PC nonsense. If someone says something offensive to you, move on, get over it. Those students need to stop acting aggrieved and find the library and thank god they have an opportunity for an education. The football team does not own the university and most are on scholarship to play. If they do not play they cannot stay. How dare they give an ultimatum to the university! What a bunch of spoiled brats!
20
Support the president in what? Ignoring student complaints and not speaking out?
4
"Move on, get over it." Brilliant. Just ignore it when people threaten you. Let the bullies have their way and be grateful you have a place to hide. God willing, you will be too cowed to procreate, and leave the earth to the master race for whom it was intended.
5
I don't want to comment on the resignation of the President, because I don't know much about it, but I just saw the video clip in which Professor Click is shown soliciting violence to silence the media. Oh, how low we have fallen, in our regard for the value of free speech and a free press. The press, more than just about anything, is essential as a tool against repression. Clearly, our schools are not doing enough to educate our students on the importance of a free press. As for Professor Click: what a disgrace. She should be discliplined or terminated, if appropriate, and she should be investigated by the police to determine if she committed a crime in calling for "muscle" to forcibly remove a student reporter from a public space.
20
A sheep in Wolfe’s clothing pandering to malcontents. The 'eduthugs' didn't support Wolfe's hiring from day one because he wasn't one of them (i.e. he was successful in the private sector).
11
Never underestimate the power of a football team to bring about change for good or evil.
6
One of the stated demands of the protesters was that there would be put into place an enhanced program to provide psychological counseling in regard to mental health issues suffered by black students. Hopefully, this will be put into effect immediately.
Part of the mental health guidance provided would most likely enable students to think more rationally, not concluding that resorting to childish tantrum tactics is the appropriate means of communication. That worked (surprisingly) this time, but for future grievances, most likely, utilizing rationality and reasoned arbitration methods will be the only way that any demands can be negotiated for satisfactory settlement.
Part of the mental health guidance provided would most likely enable students to think more rationally, not concluding that resorting to childish tantrum tactics is the appropriate means of communication. That worked (surprisingly) this time, but for future grievances, most likely, utilizing rationality and reasoned arbitration methods will be the only way that any demands can be negotiated for satisfactory settlement.
9
Why aren't these students studying for exams. Who has time for protests like this? It is obvious that academic standards at the University of Missouri are not that great. The protestors will graduate and find that the jobs at the fast food places are just not there.
9
When you read the background of what lead up to Wolfe's resignation, it becomes clear that there was a total mismatch between what Wolfe was hired to do (streamline operations, cut costs, etc.) and what the faculty, students, and other activists wanted to accomplish. Initially, there did not appear to be much common ground among the various interests of the opposition towards Wolfe, but it was that opposition that became the unifying factor for their action: They all wanted Wolfe to go, but not necessarily for the same reason. Wolfe became the symbol of their discontent and the focus of their action and brought them together.
There is a potentially very dangerous precedent here that we should not go unnoticed. Our society will break down if there is large scale anarchy based on unrelated interests that can be used as a rallying point by discontents or even malcontents. That is how revolts start. We cannot allow mass demonstrations to force action that would be better handled by dialog, understanding, and rational compromise. That is, plain and simple what happened here.
There is a potentially very dangerous precedent here that we should not go unnoticed. Our society will break down if there is large scale anarchy based on unrelated interests that can be used as a rallying point by discontents or even malcontents. That is how revolts start. We cannot allow mass demonstrations to force action that would be better handled by dialog, understanding, and rational compromise. That is, plain and simple what happened here.
5
I find it troubling that the tensions troubling UoM for the past several months come to an abrupt breakpoint when black student football players unite to effectively go on strike in the middle of the football season. When $2m/game in television rights are at stake change happens.
4
Maybe that is the problem that football runs the University..?
Maybe Universities need to reevaluate what the purpose of academia is football or academic excellence..?
Maybe Universities need to reevaluate what the purpose of academia is football or academic excellence..?
1
Is there anything else that runs the university other than football?
It is also a university, is it not?
It is also a university, is it not?
8
I'm black, and when I attended Mizzou in the early 00s, the worst thing that happened to me was a truck full of white guys drove past and yelled, "Frank White" (who was a famous Royals player). That said, the campus remained highly segregated, and if it weren't for my involvement in ROTC I'm not sure how I would've coped. I remembered dreading the first few days of any class because I'd be forced to watch as the seats AROUND me would fill up; forcing me to become my own little island.
My hygiene was good, I dressed well and back home I had always easily made friends (despite being an introvert). However, it wasn't until my junior year that I came to the uncomfortable revelation that I was seen as an "other" simply because of the color of my skin.
Anyway, sweeping the issues under the rug won't change anything. I hope the Mizzou community is able to use this incident to finally begin to address issues that shouldn't be plaguing an institution of higher learning in 2015.
My hygiene was good, I dressed well and back home I had always easily made friends (despite being an introvert). However, it wasn't until my junior year that I came to the uncomfortable revelation that I was seen as an "other" simply because of the color of my skin.
Anyway, sweeping the issues under the rug won't change anything. I hope the Mizzou community is able to use this incident to finally begin to address issues that shouldn't be plaguing an institution of higher learning in 2015.
31
What "issues"? All I read are complaints, complaints and more complaints. People are going to like or dislike you regardless of your race. Stop wearing it like a Chip On Your Shoulder. Consider how many times white folkskids have been called "Honky"; you don't hear them complaining, complaining, complaining.
1
The NYT needs to delete racists posts. There are many posts here that disparage "white" people. It makes one wonder whether the mob in Columbia or the NYT know what racism is.
27
They don't understand and its counterintuitive to gun control. I'm pretty liberal and I'm seriously considering purchasing not one, but two guns. There is a huge tide coming in soon and while I'm not going to be out hunting people, I will surely defend myself and between all the racist comments and narratives against myself, a White male and many others, I am going to have to prepare for what appears to be the unthinkable and inevitable. For that, the New York Times and many other liberal media outlets are responsible. Reading about this story it seems like one big joke. I don't get it. I really fear for our country. Black people are being told all the wrong things and these kids protesting have no idea what they're doing. They are misguided and very lost. Very angry. They know they have no hope for anything in the future. That's not the fault of corporations or White people. That's a direct result of overpopulation and unnecessary births. These are kids that probably shouldn't have been born in the first place. They are redundant and they know it and now are acting out. There is nothing else for them to do. It's very, very sad. This is another direct result of the breakdown on the traditional family. I think its time for me to pack up and leave this country soon.
6
There's a little flag next to each comment. Click on it and indicate the reason that a post should be deleted:
Vulgar
Spam
Inflammatory
Off Topic
Personal Attack
Curious, which ones are racist against white people? I haven't seen ONE COMMENT advocating violence against white people. Which ones qualify as Vulgar, spam inflammatory, Off-Topic, or Personal Attacks?
All I see, like NYC's comment below, the rampant White Paranoia that minorities are out to get them particularly. Let me assure you: There is no man-hunt out for White Males. We're not meeting in secret and plotting against you, stock piling weapons and freeze dried food (unlike a lot of paranoid white people forming paramilitary groups and stock piling weapons and rations).
What there *is* is agitation and no longer acquiescing to the power structures in place. They are no longer afraid to speak. American is a place where even an idiot can express their opinion without fear of government censure.
@NYC: you actually said "These are kids that probably shouldn't have been born in the first place. They are redundant and they know it and now are acting out. There is nothing else for them to do."
So BLACK kids are redundant? And should have no right to exercise Constitutionally protected right of assembly because you disagree?
Should we bring back forced sterilization to satisfy you and keep YOU safe??
Vulgar
Spam
Inflammatory
Off Topic
Personal Attack
Curious, which ones are racist against white people? I haven't seen ONE COMMENT advocating violence against white people. Which ones qualify as Vulgar, spam inflammatory, Off-Topic, or Personal Attacks?
All I see, like NYC's comment below, the rampant White Paranoia that minorities are out to get them particularly. Let me assure you: There is no man-hunt out for White Males. We're not meeting in secret and plotting against you, stock piling weapons and freeze dried food (unlike a lot of paranoid white people forming paramilitary groups and stock piling weapons and rations).
What there *is* is agitation and no longer acquiescing to the power structures in place. They are no longer afraid to speak. American is a place where even an idiot can express their opinion without fear of government censure.
@NYC: you actually said "These are kids that probably shouldn't have been born in the first place. They are redundant and they know it and now are acting out. There is nothing else for them to do."
So BLACK kids are redundant? And should have no right to exercise Constitutionally protected right of assembly because you disagree?
Should we bring back forced sterilization to satisfy you and keep YOU safe??
1
Older folks can still remember the former generation of university presidents like the late John Silber of Boston University. He was conservative, especially in the backdrop of the 60s and Vietnam War. But he impressed even the ardent students by being out there debating with them in the tumultuous time.
Alas, you have too many university presidents who only play state and donor politics these days. If people just think along racial or political correctness line, they are missing the larger picture. Sure, it is about the addressing of racism and its redress; but it is about the ability to demonstrate one's own moral courage, debate derisive issues and be able to forge ahead by being a fair arbiter of multiple concerns with the goal of uniting everyone to fight injustice.
From that angle, it seems the 21st Century is a regressive one seen by a child of the 60s. You have extremist groups seeing themselves the victim of the other side, without taking the chance to unit everyone to fight racism and extremism
Alas, you have too many university presidents who only play state and donor politics these days. If people just think along racial or political correctness line, they are missing the larger picture. Sure, it is about the addressing of racism and its redress; but it is about the ability to demonstrate one's own moral courage, debate derisive issues and be able to forge ahead by being a fair arbiter of multiple concerns with the goal of uniting everyone to fight injustice.
From that angle, it seems the 21st Century is a regressive one seen by a child of the 60s. You have extremist groups seeing themselves the victim of the other side, without taking the chance to unit everyone to fight racism and extremism
8
These students apparently do not want the debate. They don't even want open media coverage.
4
The University's administration as somehow responsible for epithets and fecal swastikas. Brilliant.
.
Tomorrow's headline: "Students, blaming University of Missouri administration for Civil War, polio, and loss of the Dodo, demand 'safe space' to burn down University's buildings."
.
Tomorrow's headline: "Students, blaming University of Missouri administration for Civil War, polio, and loss of the Dodo, demand 'safe space' to burn down University's buildings."
37
I don't believe that the students blamed the administration for the actions, it was their lack of any substantial response that was being protested. Leaders are put in position to lead and set an example of how they want their organization to be shaped. To pay no heed to an entire section of the student body, is choosing not to lead, and thus these two administrators have stepped down from their positions. To trivialize the concerns of students does nothing but trivialize the students.
7
What would you have had the administration do, Darrell?
2
When we hear so much about the bad behaviors of high school and college athletes, this is a breath of fresh air. To take a stand on any social issue by any sports team sadly does carry more weight than if the students did this themselves. I am proud of these athletes and wish the rest of the team would have joined in. Imagine if the NFL refused to play. Every social problem in this country would be solved because Congress would be forced to work together for the good of the country rather than their myopic agendas.
23
So proud of the intelligent, strategic students of the University of Missouri. The former president behaved exactly like a right-wing puppet politician. He took direction from the board but felt disdain and contempt for his constituents, black and Jewish students. In the end, these students realized the power of threatening the universities greed. Now we're talking.
11
If they did the right thing only as a result of the threat of losing their football revenue, that is very sad indeed. It is so disheartening to hear these stories of racial intolerance at a place of higher education.
6
So Melissa Quick has the right to be in the "sacred circle" but other journalists don't?
'As he tried to defend his right to be there, Ms. Basler explained, “You are infringing on what they need right now, which is to be alone.”'
If you need to be alone don't camp out in a public space on a public campus.
'As he tried to defend his right to be there, Ms. Basler explained, “You are infringing on what they need right now, which is to be alone.”'
If you need to be alone don't camp out in a public space on a public campus.
38
And so it goes. The mob rules. No discussion, no recourse, no mediation. It's wrong. The issue could have been resolved differently. One person, or two, cannot be blamed for the actions of others. How the administration responded to the protests could have been managed differently. But to force them out by mob rule is totally wrong.
48
Sorry Nancy, but these individuals were forced out because they were indifferent to student complaints of racial intolerance on their campus. This issue has been simmering at this university for quite some time but nothing was done to address student concerns about the overt racism prevalent on campus.
14
ibivi, can you tell us exactly how the president responded to the incidents? Not with characterizations, but what were his actions?
I'll wager that Nancy Miller of Somerset, NJ believes that the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965 was a mob event also.
3
Social justice protesters were able to convince Division 1 collegiate athletes, perhaps for the first time, to use their greatest leverage, a threatened entertainment strike, to achieve their political ends and get the highest powers at the organization removed.
No matter what your particular opinion, this cannot be disputed.
This is a huge development for collective bargaining and political coercion. Whether you agree with the protesters ends or not, this could be a game changer. If this model is replicated across the country, more change will come.
No matter what your particular opinion, this cannot be disputed.
This is a huge development for collective bargaining and political coercion. Whether you agree with the protesters ends or not, this could be a game changer. If this model is replicated across the country, more change will come.
16
It's a better reason to ditch the "entertainment."
2
You can a lot of bad laws in some states, like stand your ground, voter suppression laws. Imagine football and basketball teams implement this.
Speaking of those white privileged Mormon lads, I'm reminded of the 1998 basketball game between the University of North Carolina and Utah, in which an aggrieved black player from UNC, Makhtar Ndiaye, falsely accused a Utah player of slinging racist remarks his way. Ndiaye's false accusation was a smokescreen intended to justify his frequent angry outbursts on the court. My point? It's quite possible that some of these alleged racist events are bogus. There are tons of examples of manipulate students staging these things. Regardless, I don't see how a fecal swastika prevents any black student at UM from getting the education they supposedly came for. The case for "systematic oppression" has not been credibly made. I seriously doubt that these isolated incidents, if true, in any way whatsoever can prevent any student at UM from hitting the books and succeeding in their major. The hyperbole surrounding this hoopla...methinks they dost protest too much.
41
The NYT has reported that,
A video that showed University of Missouri protesters restricting a student photographer’s access to a public area of campus on Monday ignited discussions about press freedom.
Tim Tai, a student photographer on freelance assignment for ESPN, was trying to take photos of a small tent city that protesters had created on a campus quad. Concerned Student 1950, an activist group that formed to push for increased awareness and action around racial issues on campus, did not want reporters near the encampment.
Protesters blocked Mr. Tai’s view and argued with him, eventually pushing him away. At one point, they chanted, 'Hey hey, ho ho, reporters have got to go.'”
While I have supported the cause advocated by those students seeking the University of Missouri's president resignation, I cannot condone this group having blocked a reporter from reporting on them.
History does not always repeat itself. I recall the Freedom of Speech Movement (FSM) at Cal Berkeley. Concomitant with the FSM is Freedom of the Press. Concerned Student 1950, by its activism and presence on a public forum should understand the press, specifically Mr. Tai as a reporter, had a right to be present to report on their activities.
In addition to the students that blocked Mr. Tai, it is particularly disconcerting and appalling that Assistant Professor of Mass Media, Melissa Click called for Mr. Tai's removal from a public area on the campus, much less by force. For shame.
A video that showed University of Missouri protesters restricting a student photographer’s access to a public area of campus on Monday ignited discussions about press freedom.
Tim Tai, a student photographer on freelance assignment for ESPN, was trying to take photos of a small tent city that protesters had created on a campus quad. Concerned Student 1950, an activist group that formed to push for increased awareness and action around racial issues on campus, did not want reporters near the encampment.
Protesters blocked Mr. Tai’s view and argued with him, eventually pushing him away. At one point, they chanted, 'Hey hey, ho ho, reporters have got to go.'”
While I have supported the cause advocated by those students seeking the University of Missouri's president resignation, I cannot condone this group having blocked a reporter from reporting on them.
History does not always repeat itself. I recall the Freedom of Speech Movement (FSM) at Cal Berkeley. Concomitant with the FSM is Freedom of the Press. Concerned Student 1950, by its activism and presence on a public forum should understand the press, specifically Mr. Tai as a reporter, had a right to be present to report on their activities.
In addition to the students that blocked Mr. Tai, it is particularly disconcerting and appalling that Assistant Professor of Mass Media, Melissa Click called for Mr. Tai's removal from a public area on the campus, much less by force. For shame.
50
For all who write that this is the end of the Mizzou controversy, please consider this is the beginning. The voters of Missouri have yet to weigh in on the issue. And with very little doubt, the political situation is irretrievably polarized. Count on a response from Jeff City. (One of the first responses will undoubtedly be a review of the college tenure system.) Instability has started, not ended, within higher education in the state.
15
The events described are not good and are despicable.. However, they are not about physical hurt. In at least one case it did not involved actual students or university personnel. The end of careers for the two leaders should send a chill through society.
30
So a public university was trying to cut cost in a state whose legislature is dominated by the republican party which happens to have a tax-cutting fetish. I got that from the story. But it seems to me that the motivation was mostly, if not entirely, racial and quite intense and the story has not really fully explained to me the racial aspect nor the intensity of that racial aspect to me.
I'm not sure, but I don't think this is the last chapter of all of this, either the cost cutting of education (or health, welfare as well) nor the educational aspect of this. I grew up in St. Louis. I know St. Louis has a deep problem and Missouri as well. In fact, I'm a bit surprised that things there aren't much worse than they are, not that I wish them to be. They have problems and they have a political system and situation that not only doesn't want to face those problems, they'd rather continue to contribute to that which caused and makes worse those problems. Remember the Missouri GOP gave us Todd Aiken.
I can only imagine the turn out there if Bernie shows up. There'd be some ticked off people in the Republican party and Republican legislature.
I'm not sure, but I don't think this is the last chapter of all of this, either the cost cutting of education (or health, welfare as well) nor the educational aspect of this. I grew up in St. Louis. I know St. Louis has a deep problem and Missouri as well. In fact, I'm a bit surprised that things there aren't much worse than they are, not that I wish them to be. They have problems and they have a political system and situation that not only doesn't want to face those problems, they'd rather continue to contribute to that which caused and makes worse those problems. Remember the Missouri GOP gave us Todd Aiken.
I can only imagine the turn out there if Bernie shows up. There'd be some ticked off people in the Republican party and Republican legislature.
9
Missouri also gave us presently, Claire McCaskill, and lots of young, energetic, and intelligent African Americans who are actively addressing what is obviously a vast national issue of justice. I'm proud our state is producing such high impact African Americans working for social justice.
9
The young people who are standing up against racism at the University of Missouri offer hope for the future.
For a faculty member’s shocking account of just a few her experiences with racism at that institution, I highly recommend the following. Unfortunately, this sort of ugliness goes on everyday around the US.
Cynthia Frisby
Associate professor, Missouri School of Journalism
Posted: 11/09/2015 1:24 pm EST Updated: 11/09/2015 1:59 pm EST
'Too Many Times to Count': My Experiences of Racism at the University of Missouri
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cynthia-frisby/my-experiences-racism-at-th...
For a faculty member’s shocking account of just a few her experiences with racism at that institution, I highly recommend the following. Unfortunately, this sort of ugliness goes on everyday around the US.
Cynthia Frisby
Associate professor, Missouri School of Journalism
Posted: 11/09/2015 1:24 pm EST Updated: 11/09/2015 1:59 pm EST
'Too Many Times to Count': My Experiences of Racism at the University of Missouri
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cynthia-frisby/my-experiences-racism-at-th...
12
Just curious, don't you believe your faculty was a little rough on Mr Thai, the young photographer. Is that a standard approach of journalism in your school? Seems like among all the other issues here there is a place as dark as racism on your campus. It is the violation of free speech by those who pretend to be its stewards.
20
Wow that was quick. The students have a legitimate gripe, but the story here is the power that football has over certain academic institutions. U, of M. saw its bottom line threatened, and moved quickly to put an end to the threat.
9
Or is the story that the protesters realized how to use leverages to achieve their goals, not unlike MLK and Gandhi before them. When you see it that way, the protesters appear clever and wise, they also appear to be true leaders who were able to convince and lead athletes into such a risky cause for social justice.
Give them credit.
Give them credit.
7
Either that or the resignation was going to happen anyway and there was hasty bandwagon jumping.
I'm sure the new president will be able to thwart occasional random acts of hatred by anonymous individuals.
44
Sure, and let's just get rid of drunk driving laws, while we're at it. After all, someone will always drink and drive, so why bother?
Such dishonest logic.
Such dishonest logic.
1
Extortion. That is the only word for what went on. Wolfe wouldn't have been forced to resign if a million dollars wasn't on the line. And it is obvious that there would have not been a football team protest if the Missouri team had a 9-0 record and was fighting for a national championship.
And what exactly is a "Social Justice Center" and what goes on in there?
And what exactly is a comprehensive racial awareness and inclusion curriculum?
And how does one know if they are recipients of the benefits of 'white privilege'?
And what exact complaints were ignored? All I have seen are highly generalized complaints and a couple of alleged incidents where someone heard a racial slur.
And what exactly is a "Social Justice Center" and what goes on in there?
And what exactly is a comprehensive racial awareness and inclusion curriculum?
And how does one know if they are recipients of the benefits of 'white privilege'?
And what exact complaints were ignored? All I have seen are highly generalized complaints and a couple of alleged incidents where someone heard a racial slur.
33
Do you not think politics is coercive, on every level?
6
There seems to have been a push from faculty and alumni groups etal to remove Loftin, yet he remains. That part of the story is barely mentioned and would seem likely to help flesh out much of the agita on that campus.
Not knowing Mizzou or even Missouri, good for you students for fighting for ethics & fairness---from graduate assistants' health insurance to fair racial treatment.
University sytems, like any, need pushback when ethical problems are dismissed.
Not knowing Mizzou or even Missouri, good for you students for fighting for ethics & fairness---from graduate assistants' health insurance to fair racial treatment.
University sytems, like any, need pushback when ethical problems are dismissed.
3
The fact is that the resignation of the university president will not resolve a single issue that these students were protesting against. Their issues were with things that other students had done so the president was in no way responsible for that and now that he is gone those same students are still free to act as they have been.
What this was was nothing more than a civilized riot. Instead of the vandalism being trashing the university president's office, they instead trashed the president's office itself by permanently removing its occupant from his seat.
These students discovered that they can inflict allot more serious and permanent damage by making threats of the sort that they did, than by making threats to commit violence.
But in the end its all the same thing. That we are upset and so we will not quite down until we can inflict some serious damage. The only difference between this and an actual riot is the type of damage inflicted and the means that were used to achieve it.
What this was was nothing more than a civilized riot. Instead of the vandalism being trashing the university president's office, they instead trashed the president's office itself by permanently removing its occupant from his seat.
These students discovered that they can inflict allot more serious and permanent damage by making threats of the sort that they did, than by making threats to commit violence.
But in the end its all the same thing. That we are upset and so we will not quite down until we can inflict some serious damage. The only difference between this and an actual riot is the type of damage inflicted and the means that were used to achieve it.
38
Although I agree with their cause, the fact that they sought to keep journalists out is a sad statement on freedom. The behavior by Professor Click and Janna Basler in particular is appalling. Stopping a journalist from doing his or her job is what is done in dictatorships. Shame on both of them and any other U of M student or staff who thinks censorship is the way to go.
41
The students have the right to protests. The University has the right to revoke players scholarships.
The protester said the over throw of the University President was about discrimination.
The Atheltics Director and coach said the boycott was about saving Butler's life who was on a hunger strike.
There are screamers in the room like a bellowing elephant,
The protester said the over throw of the University President was about discrimination.
The Atheltics Director and coach said the boycott was about saving Butler's life who was on a hunger strike.
There are screamers in the room like a bellowing elephant,
13
For all of you unclear on why the President and Chancellor were fired: Because internal events at their university made their way to the front pages of national news outlets while the two of them, I'm guessing, were off golfing at Club all week. Their only jobs were to keep bad press away from the Institution and they failed to do so.
5
The demands of Concerned Student 1950 are so ordinary, so un-revolutionary, that it is astounding that the university didn't simply agree--100%.
All that's wanted is a sincere apology from former President Tim Wolfe and acknowledgement that racism at Mizzou is not a figment of the students' imaginations; a new system of selecting administrators that invites student and stuff input; a racial awareness "101" for all students/staff; an increase in diversity in hiring; improvements to student retention, increased student mental health support, and campus-wide programs on social justice and equality.
Everything demanded has been done or is in progress at other universities across the nation.
I fail to understand why the university hasn't simply stepped up to the plate and set about making changes.
This is not rocket science. There are resources galore (from expert consultants to reference books) that are specifically geared to helping universities address racism and foster a healthy environment for their staff and students.
What is the University of Missouri waiting for?
All that's wanted is a sincere apology from former President Tim Wolfe and acknowledgement that racism at Mizzou is not a figment of the students' imaginations; a new system of selecting administrators that invites student and stuff input; a racial awareness "101" for all students/staff; an increase in diversity in hiring; improvements to student retention, increased student mental health support, and campus-wide programs on social justice and equality.
Everything demanded has been done or is in progress at other universities across the nation.
I fail to understand why the university hasn't simply stepped up to the plate and set about making changes.
This is not rocket science. There are resources galore (from expert consultants to reference books) that are specifically geared to helping universities address racism and foster a healthy environment for their staff and students.
What is the University of Missouri waiting for?
11
"All that's wanted is a sincere apology from former President Tim Wolfe and acknowledgement that racism at Mizzou is not a figment of the students' imaginations"
Actually, except for two apparently unrelated incidents, it probably is a figment of their imaginations. Did you even read this story, or the list of demands? What specific changes would you suggest, Heather? Please be specific and clear.
Actually, except for two apparently unrelated incidents, it probably is a figment of their imaginations. Did you even read this story, or the list of demands? What specific changes would you suggest, Heather? Please be specific and clear.
20
They want a legally binding 10 percent floor in black hiring. That's a lawsuit waiting to happen.
21
Did you read their demand letter? They actually demanded Wolf make a handwritten apology where he admits to his "white male privilege" and holds a press conference to call for his own resignation. Their demands were absurd.
4
This is awesome. Why didn't somebody think of this already. Hundreds of years of racism, gone. It's a new world now. The only thing we had to do was make this guy Tim Wolfe quit his job, and racism is GONE? REALLY? I don't get it !
41
Firing Wolfe will allow someone else with more skill and sensitivity get on with the task of starting to solve the problem which he apparently did not or would not recognize.
4
Until the next set of demands, that is.
22
I still don't know what the president and chancellor did to warrant their removal. This just looks like scape-goating to me. They can't get their hands on the actual racists, so they went after the administration. And this will solve what?
55
"A series of racist incidents in the last few months spurred calls for change."
This makes it sound like the "racist incidents" have only occurred during the last few months. Take a look at the 'cotton ball incident' that took place in 2010. It appears that it's more than "a series of racist incidents in the last few months..."...
"Two University of Missouri students have apologized for scattering cotton balls outside the Black Culture Center in an incident that heightened racial tensions during Black History Month.
Nineteen-year-old freshman Sean Fitzgerald and 21-year-old senior Zachary Tucker were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of hate crimes and possible felony tampering. They have not been charged.
In a letter to campus leaders, local prosecutors and student groups issued Friday by their attorneys, the two ROTC students apologized for their “inexcusable judgment.”
http://diverseeducation.com/article/13604/
"Sean Fitzgerald, 19, and Zachary Tucker, 21, were sentenced to two years' unsupervised probation and 80 hours of community service Thursday for scattering cotton balls Feb. 26 on the lawn of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center. They both pleaded guilty to a class A misdemeanor of littering."
Charged for littering? No wonder things finally reached a tipping point!
http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2010/4/29/students-sentenced-cotton-b...
This makes it sound like the "racist incidents" have only occurred during the last few months. Take a look at the 'cotton ball incident' that took place in 2010. It appears that it's more than "a series of racist incidents in the last few months..."...
"Two University of Missouri students have apologized for scattering cotton balls outside the Black Culture Center in an incident that heightened racial tensions during Black History Month.
Nineteen-year-old freshman Sean Fitzgerald and 21-year-old senior Zachary Tucker were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of hate crimes and possible felony tampering. They have not been charged.
In a letter to campus leaders, local prosecutors and student groups issued Friday by their attorneys, the two ROTC students apologized for their “inexcusable judgment.”
http://diverseeducation.com/article/13604/
"Sean Fitzgerald, 19, and Zachary Tucker, 21, were sentenced to two years' unsupervised probation and 80 hours of community service Thursday for scattering cotton balls Feb. 26 on the lawn of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center. They both pleaded guilty to a class A misdemeanor of littering."
Charged for littering? No wonder things finally reached a tipping point!
http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2010/4/29/students-sentenced-cotton-b...
7
Did someone die from eating those cotton balls? The kids were tried and sentenced contrary to your observation that they were not charged. Justice was served.
College kids do stupid things. No one was hurt. They apologized and I am sure regretted ever doing it. A lot of cotton was wasted. Someone had to clean it up. Some super-sensitive people were offended. As usual. Sorry, file this under Big Deal.
We did worse things when I was student. I was a pretty creative guy back in those days and I am sure someone somewhere was offended by what we (I) did.
College kids do stupid things. No one was hurt. They apologized and I am sure regretted ever doing it. A lot of cotton was wasted. Someone had to clean it up. Some super-sensitive people were offended. As usual. Sorry, file this under Big Deal.
We did worse things when I was student. I was a pretty creative guy back in those days and I am sure someone somewhere was offended by what we (I) did.
18
2010 predates these students' tenure at MU and that of Tim Wolfe as well. There are undoubtedly some grad students left around from "back then." The perpetrators of the "cotton" incident are done with their probation by now, too. The incidents cited in the articles here are things like name-calling/racial epithets and a swastika executed in excrement - probably not an inclusive list, but not quite in the same league as Fitzgerald's and Tucker's idiocy. Still, with 35,000 students, it doesn't seem like racism is pervasive.
11
Race is clearly an issue, and a big one, in our country. The over 1200 commentd on this story provide ample evidence of that.
1
As much as I wish I could say this was a valiant day in opposing racism, I'm afraid that's probably not the case. As the article noted, this move was also based on the lost revenue from negative publicity and the football team's refusal to play, amounting to at least $1 million up front. While I'd like to hope that university officials were truly sympathetic to their cause, I think it's a much simpler explanation that their money was challenged. Don't get me wrong - I'm happy that the Mizzou protestors ousted a racist university president and demonstrated the need for greater university action against overt hate crimes on campus. However, I don't think this move reflected a true acknowledgement that the university needs to do better; it was an acknowledgement that the university cannot lose that money.
5
To me, anytime you have faculty members join students in a protest. There is definitely a big problem.
13
They are tenured, they can do whatever they want without fear of reprisal. Since they are nearly uniformly liberal, it would have been surprising if they hadn't protested.
1
The University of Missouri will never be able to remove white privilege while white males remain at this institution. The new leadership needs to make a bold stand to disrupt the complacency toward entrenched racism on campus. The only way to create a truly tolerant safe space would be to remove white male students for the remainder of this year. These furloughed students could be granted credit for their work to date. In time, they may be reintroduced to a new school environment in small numbers.
11
Sounds like a modest proposal to me!
3
Thank you. Please continue in this vein. You're doing us all a wonderful favor. I encourage you to even amp up your rhetoric. Wonderful.
6
Sarcasm?
Maybe?
Maybe?
5
The protests are misguided.
The university president gets to stand in for the absent fathers, at whom the students are actually mad. Take it from someone who knows these feelings. And its not just young black men who feel this - young upper-middle class whites also have anger at their not-present, workaholic white-collar fathers.
One day, after they leave the university, they'll realize people are too busy with their own problems to care about others' wounds and they'll have to face themselves or go underwater. Maybe if they're lucky, a caring mentor will help them get through this process.
Cold and cruel? Absolutely, but this is the way the world works. I have sympathy for the hatred these black students face from certain white people, but no university policy or act of law can rid humans of hatred. Civil rights are one thing, trying to regulate mean speech something else.
The university president gets to stand in for the absent fathers, at whom the students are actually mad. Take it from someone who knows these feelings. And its not just young black men who feel this - young upper-middle class whites also have anger at their not-present, workaholic white-collar fathers.
One day, after they leave the university, they'll realize people are too busy with their own problems to care about others' wounds and they'll have to face themselves or go underwater. Maybe if they're lucky, a caring mentor will help them get through this process.
Cold and cruel? Absolutely, but this is the way the world works. I have sympathy for the hatred these black students face from certain white people, but no university policy or act of law can rid humans of hatred. Civil rights are one thing, trying to regulate mean speech something else.
26
What a shame Mr.Wolfe who has spent a lifetime to get where he got to be brought down by a a bunch of malcontents with no clear agenda. I am questioning my support of black youth. One I've held for years. This is not right.
32
In what ways are you supporting black youth, George? And why do you generalize the actions of the protesters--who incidentally included faculty and coaches-- to apply to all "black youth"?
Did you read the article about which you'receive commenting? There were many issues, in addition to unaddressed racist acts, that led graduate students, undergraduates, faculty, and coaches to call for a change at the top.
Did you read the article about which you'receive commenting? There were many issues, in addition to unaddressed racist acts, that led graduate students, undergraduates, faculty, and coaches to call for a change at the top.
6
If this incident made you "question your support of black youth," I doubt black youth even needed your support in the first place. He should never have had those young protesters arrested.
7
Sure, George. We all buy that one.
3
At least the NYT lays out a few more reasons why this situation reached such a high-tension climax. Most of the news outlets have utterly failed to explain why the students as well as instructors were so aggravated; they have blow-by-blow "timelines" of confrontation moments but very little detailed explanation of what led to such a result. It looks as if this administration has been running the place in true corporate fashion, treating adjuncts, students, and everyone else as part of a mechanical money-making process rather than as a cooperative learning experience with more complex liberal-arts values and some modicum of shared governance. Surprise! Your customers just let you know they don't like your product. In the case of the football team, that they are not merely a product.
8
I take issue with the headline this evening. What about these people qualified them as "leaders"? They failed leadership 101 in responding in a meaningful and decent manner to a vital issue of our times, their university, the students.
7
Corporate outsider brought in to cut costs and he does so by getting rid of health care for students. How about cutting the million dollar salary of the president?
11
Actually at U of Missouri, only 0.5 million $ salary for the President, but apparently 3.5 million $ salary for the football coach with a losing season.
23
That is two good reasons to fire the coach. If you cannot have a winning season in the SEC.....
5
What should the president of the university have done that would have made a difference? Have the protesters figured that out? I can't imagine anyone who would want to be the next president of this school. On hot seat from day 1.
21
He could have immediately and publically denounced the racist actions. He could have announced a mandatory ethics course that would include covering race relations, he could have said there would be a zero tolerance policy for hate speech, etc etc.
The point is that over a month or two of student unrest, the outcome was that he would convene a committee to study the matter and announce a new program 6-7 months from now.
That's really too little and 6 months from now is most certainly too late.
The point is that over a month or two of student unrest, the outcome was that he would convene a committee to study the matter and announce a new program 6-7 months from now.
That's really too little and 6 months from now is most certainly too late.
11
If I were a U of M student I would object to a mandatory ethics course. This is a slippery slope that ends with forced indoctrination. Next is mandatory admissions by whites of their "privilege". Not hard to imagine given that this was one of the demands of the protesters of President Wolfe.
2
Good for the African-American football players who leveraged their power generated from our nation's absurd addiction to college sports. Disturbing to realize that football and basketball players probably wield more influence than a Nobel laureate teaching on campus.
10
President Wolfe's lack of leadership, his love for Missouri weighed in, can be understood, but not tolerated.
More important: How does this driven by the politics of and drive the 2016 elections?
If it is part of the larger matrix then, theatrics and rhetoric aside, the Republican are doomed. Aside from the emergence of a centrist Republican in the camp an Eisenhower, Ford, even Stevenson, we are witnessing the demise of the "Grand Ole' Party."
Universities not only are centers of culture and politics, but are generators of the same. Students, faculty alike have realized their dual historical context and have acted, however reluctantly, appropriately.
Universities are, indeed, a place where everyone is in charge, but at the same time no one is in charge. But, it times of crises, this means that a loud, moral voice, will prevail.
More important: How does this driven by the politics of and drive the 2016 elections?
If it is part of the larger matrix then, theatrics and rhetoric aside, the Republican are doomed. Aside from the emergence of a centrist Republican in the camp an Eisenhower, Ford, even Stevenson, we are witnessing the demise of the "Grand Ole' Party."
Universities not only are centers of culture and politics, but are generators of the same. Students, faculty alike have realized their dual historical context and have acted, however reluctantly, appropriately.
Universities are, indeed, a place where everyone is in charge, but at the same time no one is in charge. But, it times of crises, this means that a loud, moral voice, will prevail.
5
What on earth does this have to do with Republicans? Does it mean that minorities can be manipulated to riot and protest against nebulous and unsubstantiated charges of shadow racists driving by in the night and then point the finger of scorn at a Republican and demand his resignation?
I always enjoy seeing people champion the cause of the mob, thinking that they're an "ally". The problem is, in this new paradigm of "the shoe's on the other foot" if you're white, good Dr, then eventually the hammer will fall on you. Privilege knows no party, just race.
How nice it is to live in a post racial America.
I always enjoy seeing people champion the cause of the mob, thinking that they're an "ally". The problem is, in this new paradigm of "the shoe's on the other foot" if you're white, good Dr, then eventually the hammer will fall on you. Privilege knows no party, just race.
How nice it is to live in a post racial America.
20
I find myself conflicted by the photos of angry young Black kids with Black power t-shirts and slogans. Sure, free speech, but if anyone White states how they are proud of their Whiteness, they are shut out and ostracized by the media.
We're in a few weird and bad times, folks. These kids might think this is all good, but it isn't and despite their seemingly daily protests, they still accomplish nothing. They are not making real differences in the lives of themselves and other Blacks and no, Whites are not to blame. Very very strange stuff. I look on from the outside more scared about a huge revolution looming.
We're in a few weird and bad times, folks. These kids might think this is all good, but it isn't and despite their seemingly daily protests, they still accomplish nothing. They are not making real differences in the lives of themselves and other Blacks and no, Whites are not to blame. Very very strange stuff. I look on from the outside more scared about a huge revolution looming.
27
"Whiteness"?????
A lot of people celebrate their ethnic roots - Irish, Italians, etc. Of course it wasn't too long ago that slurs were directed at them and they were shut out of opportunities.
A lot of people celebrate their ethnic roots - Irish, Italians, etc. Of course it wasn't too long ago that slurs were directed at them and they were shut out of opportunities.
11
"Whites are not to blame?" Your post is astounding.
4
A crescendo is not a destination.
12
In the 1960's and early 1970's University campuses were ground zero for political and racial discontent. We have come so far we have forgotten that fact. This is not new, but it is welcomed. For far too long the youth of America has seemed far too intent on things that don't matter. I hope this is a sea change and a bellweather of things to come in our country. It can't come too soon! Kudo's for the students at MU for taking a stand to force change.
6
These administrators, and others at this public university and others, are grossly overpaid in light of the universities' dependence on adjunct instructors and teaching assistants who are paid poverty wages. These gentlemen should be given jobs teaching classes for $2500-4000 each for a semester (the current going rate according the Chronicle of Higher Education's Adjunct Project).
5
Actually, I was thinking the same thing. But about "diversity coordinators" and "Title IX enforcement specialist". A few years in the trenches would help them appreciate their cushy office jobs.
5
I visited my father about 10 years ago, and he told me, while standing in front of the University of Missouri building where he had been a professor for 30 years, that he was not welcome inside because he had stood up for a African-American colleague. He said many of his white colleagues were racists. I urge those of you who think the Concerned Student 1950 group's allegations to be without basis to watch reporter Tim Pool's "Ferguson: A Report From Occupied Territory". Missouri's post-Reconstruction "separate but equal" system has been replaced with a draconian, near debt-peonage system operated principally by a maze of small suburban municipalities. From the documentary's web page: "This problem, however, is not unique to Ferguson. St. Louis County is made of around 90 municipalities, each with their own police departments and courts. Residents report similar discriminatory treatment at the hands of law enforcement. And with so many different jurisdictions, a small infraction like an expired license plate can turn into dozens of fines and eventually warrants. Those in St. Louis who live below the poverty line are faced with the reality of buying food or paying fines." The fact of a nearly completely segregated system of higher education as recently as the 1980s is a little breathtaking. And the grim reality of contemporary racism in Missouri, documented in so many ways of late, gives lie to whites' indignation.
12
In other words, your entire claim is based on something we can't possibly verify. Wouldn't it be better to choose words to stand on their own and convince us without the emotional personal claim?
21
"Emotional personal claim" Cannot be verified??? Perhaps you should "choose words" yourself to debate his statements instead of summarily dismissing them.
2
On what basis is Wolfe being defended?
He routinely ignored problems related to an overtly racist culture that marred the university environment. Faculty, students, and politicians, both Republic and Democratic, called for his resignation on the grounds that he was ineffective in and indifferent to managing a situation that escalated right before him. University presidents explore problems; look to David Boren at the University of Oklahoma to see what real university leadership looks like.
Wolfe brought this on himself. It is not difficult to figure that out, apologists.
He routinely ignored problems related to an overtly racist culture that marred the university environment. Faculty, students, and politicians, both Republic and Democratic, called for his resignation on the grounds that he was ineffective in and indifferent to managing a situation that escalated right before him. University presidents explore problems; look to David Boren at the University of Oklahoma to see what real university leadership looks like.
Wolfe brought this on himself. It is not difficult to figure that out, apologists.
13
I'm sorry, the article does not say "ignored", neither do other sources. His response was "insufficient" because he declined to give in to race group demands, including a 10 percent hiring quota for blacks as faculty and staff.
As for Mx Boren and his actions in riding roughshod over student constitutional rights, had whites protested in the same way as this, you would have been on fire for the university police to wade in, truncheons swinging. And you know it.
As for Mx Boren and his actions in riding roughshod over student constitutional rights, had whites protested in the same way as this, you would have been on fire for the university police to wade in, truncheons swinging. And you know it.
23
With each post you unfortunately reveal your own problems with race.
2
@Here: The article also does not say that the sky is blue today. Doesn't mean it isn't.
If you have the spine to do so, go look at reports written by other news outlets about the motivations for the protests.
And then ask yourself why it is that for you, a president's actions against protesting white students is a trampling of their constitutional rights, while actions against black protesters are A-OK.
There is just no rationalizing with you people.
And you know it, too.
If you have the spine to do so, go look at reports written by other news outlets about the motivations for the protests.
And then ask yourself why it is that for you, a president's actions against protesting white students is a trampling of their constitutional rights, while actions against black protesters are A-OK.
There is just no rationalizing with you people.
And you know it, too.
The truth be known, it was the idea of forfeiting games and a losing football season that forced him out. Sports in American colleges and universities has become more important than academic standards. This is not a victory for anyone, but a sad commentary on the state of higher education in America.
35
He should have 1) met with protestors daily and 2) summarily fired the football coach.
4
@ "India Midwest 8 hours ago"
Dear India- I do not know if your pseudonym actually has anything to do with the country in southern Asia, but isn't Ghandi a perfect example of successful non-violent protest against an oppressive rule? Racism in America is not too different from British colonial rule. Whether or not your moniker reflects any heritage, it is a wonderful irony. These Black students--with many multi-racial supporters--struck a precise, peaceful blow for fairness and equality. Ghandi would have been proud.
All of India's comment follows:
"I know absolutely nothing about the situation at Mizzou other than what I've read in the NYTimes, but I don't like a group of people being able to demand the resignation of the university system and hold the athletic program hostage in order to get what they want.
If this man was a dreadful president, then it was up to the Board to demand his resignation, not a group of black football players refusing to play the final two games of the season. This sets a dreadful precedent for any dissatisfied group. There are ways to do this appropriately, and this is not one."
Dear India- I do not know if your pseudonym actually has anything to do with the country in southern Asia, but isn't Ghandi a perfect example of successful non-violent protest against an oppressive rule? Racism in America is not too different from British colonial rule. Whether or not your moniker reflects any heritage, it is a wonderful irony. These Black students--with many multi-racial supporters--struck a precise, peaceful blow for fairness and equality. Ghandi would have been proud.
All of India's comment follows:
"I know absolutely nothing about the situation at Mizzou other than what I've read in the NYTimes, but I don't like a group of people being able to demand the resignation of the university system and hold the athletic program hostage in order to get what they want.
If this man was a dreadful president, then it was up to the Board to demand his resignation, not a group of black football players refusing to play the final two games of the season. This sets a dreadful precedent for any dissatisfied group. There are ways to do this appropriately, and this is not one."
11
Gandhi did just fine when all he faced were the British, even then sensitive to public opinion. No one listened to him during Partition, and 25 million died.
13
Caving into mob rule has to be the most hyprocritical statement said by an American.
I'm in English and French territory, we know a little bit about hypocrites.
It took two tries to get Napoleon out of the equation.
These are just University students making a statement.
And a good statement it is.
I'm in English and French territory, we know a little bit about hypocrites.
It took two tries to get Napoleon out of the equation.
These are just University students making a statement.
And a good statement it is.
8
Former president Wolfe said the definition of “systematic oppression” was “when you don’t believe you have the equal opportunity for success.” This insensitivity, along with the lackluster way he addressed real concerns about race was what made the students so angry. Of course ,this is exactly the way corporate America addresses racial issues, which is why CEOs tend to make lousy college presidents.
8
As a veteran of the Berkeley Free Speech Movement of the mid-sixties (which drew much of its inspiration from the Civil Rights Movement of those times) I applaud the Missouri students and the faculty who supported them, as well as the Black Lives Matter Movement.<br/><br/>One of the lessons of those times that still applies today is that there should be no social peace without social justice. That doesn't mean violent acts which just give authorities an excuse for repression, but it means disrupting business-as-usual, whether by mass protests, refusal to support a lucrative football program, demands for change in University adminstrators, etc.<br/><br/>Some of the readers of this article counsel patience and prattle about the "complexity" of university decisionmaking. That is what we were told during the Berkeley FSM. What "patience" meant then, and means now, is a tactic for bureaucratic instititional leaders to wait out the students until their energies are dissipated and the leaders can forget about it or make token changes that have little effect. The alternative is to light a fire under those leaders and keep up the pressure for real change.<br/><br/>Let the institutional leaders work out the "complexities" of university decisionmaking -- complexities that are largely of their own doing.
28
The Berkeley Free Speech Movement was never about universal free speech, it was all about free speech for a chosen few. That reality is apparent on your beloved Berkeley campus of inclusion where potential speakers of the wrong political persuasion are routinely dissuaded from voicing their views of the world. Free Speech for Whom?
2
You mean the Berkeley No Free Speech But Our Own movement?
Well, I dutifully read the whole article, and I still don't see what Mr. Wolfe did exactly. Maybe you had to be there.
30
To the students and faculty of MU, their family, and community, I applaud you for your courage, thoughtfulness and commitment to saying enough is enough. I know this is the first step toward meaningful change, but it is a significant one!
3
For goodness sake, can these students go to school in peace? When I hear the stories of harassment, it's unbelievable. How the Black students, for example, cannot even go near Greek Row after dark for fear of harassment or physical harm. That hurling racial epithets for no apparent reason is normal. What is this some sort of apartheid-era experiment? America, this is disgusting and we can do better.
17
Why are we surprised! This is capitalism at work. The black athletes are now quickly learning that they have substantial financial power in this game. Anyway it's never about education, so I personally have no complaints.
6
About 55 years ago, Dr. George L. Cross as president of the University of Oklahoma wisely stated that it was his goal to build a university of which the football team could be proud. That kind of wisdom still applies today.
3
If they don't appreciate the opportunity to go to college on a free scholarship and refuse to play....replace them and give the scholarships to students who want to play and go to school. There are so many high school students who would love the opportunity to play and go to college who don't get accepted. Football players are replace..able. Just like the staff. if you must cancel the football program...just have smaller classes and fewer teachers. Make cut backs until you have school of students who want to learn.
If people can't afford to buy a paper...newspapers have been known to just print fewer papers. Smaller classes, smaller school until you build back up to students who want the opportunity to learn.
And anyone threatening suicide by not eating should be admitted to a mental hospital for suicide attempt by starvation. I am all for speaking up and wanting to be heard...but this not how you do it. This is two year old behavior...refusing to eat, breath or do as you're supposed to? As for professional football teams and future employers....stay clear of these players or students involved....you can't depend on them to do their work. I wouldn't bet my money on them or trust them with my business. Shameful....Shameful...Shameful on all the students.
If people can't afford to buy a paper...newspapers have been known to just print fewer papers. Smaller classes, smaller school until you build back up to students who want the opportunity to learn.
And anyone threatening suicide by not eating should be admitted to a mental hospital for suicide attempt by starvation. I am all for speaking up and wanting to be heard...but this not how you do it. This is two year old behavior...refusing to eat, breath or do as you're supposed to? As for professional football teams and future employers....stay clear of these players or students involved....you can't depend on them to do their work. I wouldn't bet my money on them or trust them with my business. Shameful....Shameful...Shameful on all the students.
24
I would ask that you alter the wording of the paragraph that starts "It was the football team that delivered what might have been the fatal blow to the tenures of the two officials" to read "that delivered the crowning effort" in order to honor the conscience of the team and their coach for using this week's leverage so well. Thank you to Concerned Students 1950, Jonathan Butler and others for leading.
6
If I were a Republican political strategist, I would be licking my chops and toasting my good fortune at today’s events. There is absolutely no doubt that some untold thousands of independent votes fell into the Republican column today, as they did yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that, as the extreme left displays its most unreasonable and idiotic side.
Enjoy your victory, extreme leftists, it will be pyrrhic, and look out for the tidal wave next November.
Enjoy your victory, extreme leftists, it will be pyrrhic, and look out for the tidal wave next November.
28
Those "untold thousands of independent votes" are already leaning Republican. As for "the tidal wave next November", I'm guessing you predicted Romney's victory. This time -- as always -- the result awaits the event.
4
Moderate voters, like myself, often weigh which is scarier at the moment - extreme right or extreme left.
Extreme right was doing such a good job recently at pushing me into the Democrat column. But extreme left is starting to catch up.
Any "movement" - from the anti-abortion "right to lifers" to the "black lives matter crowd" - that attains its goals through intimidation, lies, "us vs. them" dichotomies, shouting, and bullying is antithetical to our social cohesion and institutions.
Extreme right was doing such a good job recently at pushing me into the Democrat column. But extreme left is starting to catch up.
Any "movement" - from the anti-abortion "right to lifers" to the "black lives matter crowd" - that attains its goals through intimidation, lies, "us vs. them" dichotomies, shouting, and bullying is antithetical to our social cohesion and institutions.
13
I find it shocking that you would find the peaceful protests of students, faculty, and staff of a major university MORE frightening than the racisms against which they are protesting. Very unfortunate.
3
This is a sad story for all. It is apparent that Mr. Wolfe did not handle the racial tension in a quick and responsive manner. Saying that, I will just add that growing up as a Catholic in Utah I recall being insulted and even attacked by Mormon youths a few times when we passed on the street at the same time. And once in the 1980s while driving through Provo, Utah with my mother in my car, which sported an Episcopalian sticker, a passing presumably Mormon youth flipped us the bird. In diversified America you just learn to put up with this... and learn that everyone else does not act that way. But I would say that the blacks of Missouri should have thicker skin and more toughness and try to emotionally disable their attackers by asking them what they are angry about and what can they do to help them change their attitude. Sometimes communication helps defuse hostility.
11
So it is up to blacks to bear the racism foisted on them, and not the racists to seek help in changing their own behavior?
How does that work?
How does that work?
3
How thick does our skin need to be...to the point of being bulletproof?
9
Look being Catholic in many parts of the South was no easy task and from what you said that was true in Utah. I lived in the South The state I lived in had the lowest % of Catholics in US. I was in a more cosmopolitan area so did not face many problems, though the coworkers I had were so ill-informed that one asked if Catholics believe in Jesus or "were like the Jews" who do not. Had a strange experience at a hospital when CNAs watched at the door to my room as a priest anointed me before surgery;they told me they watched to ensure he did not hurt me.
BUT, that pales against what black people experienced there-a few decades after integration of the schools and desegregation of facilities. So I believe the students. I also believe institutional racism exists, though I believe cases, such as police actions and use of lethal force should be evaluated individually. Not everything is based on racism. And even racist cops might be justified in action in individual cases. But cops also murder.
Whether the university president should have been forced to resign, I don't know. But how could he ignore a hunger strike? Yet, I say this because I think effectiveness in bringing about change is a criterion for. Will his resignation do this? Time will tell. Let's hope so.
BUT, that pales against what black people experienced there-a few decades after integration of the schools and desegregation of facilities. So I believe the students. I also believe institutional racism exists, though I believe cases, such as police actions and use of lethal force should be evaluated individually. Not everything is based on racism. And even racist cops might be justified in action in individual cases. But cops also murder.
Whether the university president should have been forced to resign, I don't know. But how could he ignore a hunger strike? Yet, I say this because I think effectiveness in bringing about change is a criterion for. Will his resignation do this? Time will tell. Let's hope so.
9
I do hope that these men exited for the sole purpose of living to fight another day, rather than as acts of cowardice. Who in their right mind would put up with the kind of public humiliation and degradation that is the lifeblood of these "social jusstice" efforts? Those screaming about their own self-interest would do well to reflect on whether they have become that which they have decried.
18
Yes, they were cowards for not bravely fighting on to defend UM's long and proud history of racism? Their failure to respond as leaders did what was unthinkable in any American university today: unite profs and students, jocks and nerds, whites and blacks, town and gown to speak out with a single voice against INjustice. It's a proud week to be an American! Way to go, Mizzou.
4
That's exactly the problem with this country though. Left, right, it doesn't matter. There is no self reflection or consideration given to someone with an opposing viewpoint. If you sympathize with someone else, you become one of THEM. It's absolutely absurd.
5
Finally, after 300-plus years, we have reached the tipping point where men and women of color can be recognized as fellow human beings. Maybe, just maybe there is yet hope for this country.
5
You mean: We have finally reached the tipping point where "amateur" athletes are recognized for their enormous financial clout.
2
Wolfe's biggest sin, apparently, is he was tone-deaf - probably because he is a son of the south. Too bad. Sounds like he was an effective administrator, otherwise.
So, now, a good man goes down. But - where is the change??
Inbred racism among the students just doesn't go away because the Chancellor steps down. It's cultural. It's how these kids were raised. The minds and hearts of the racist students need a course correction. I don't see that happening anytime soon - anywhere.
So, now, a good man goes down. But - where is the change??
Inbred racism among the students just doesn't go away because the Chancellor steps down. It's cultural. It's how these kids were raised. The minds and hearts of the racist students need a course correction. I don't see that happening anytime soon - anywhere.
55
An effective college administrator seeks an environment where students can learn and teachers teach, free from harassment.
Apparently he wasn't so effective..
Apparently he wasn't so effective..
4
You assume the perpetrators of the listed events are college students. I didn't see any information indicating that there was evidence that the perpetrators were mizzou students. College campuses are very open and many people cross them all the time. It could be that Wolfe assumed campus security would investigate the incidents; he is probably ill suited to personally conduct such an investigation. What he probably didn't recognize is that the student body wanted lots of public denunciation of the acts and grand rallies and town hall meetings. They wanted someone who understood public politics - which isn't Wolfe's forte (has he ever conducted a rally or town hall meeting for anything?). At this time Mizzou needs someone with more of a public persona rather than an operations approach. With his resignation they will have that opportunity now.
1
One student, when asked how things will change since Wolfe stepped down, had no answer. In reality, nothing has changed. Real change will come when two sides sit down and figure out what the real problems are and come up with some solutions to try.
There will be probably a bigger division on campus than there was before Wolfe was forced out by the mob. No one likes seeing a mob get their way.
The impact this incident will have on alumni who hate to see their university's name trampled on, unjustly or justly, will be quietly felt for years to come.
There will be probably a bigger division on campus than there was before Wolfe was forced out by the mob. No one likes seeing a mob get their way.
The impact this incident will have on alumni who hate to see their university's name trampled on, unjustly or justly, will be quietly felt for years to come.
6
I'm proud and amazed at this change, brought about through nonviolent resistance and community relationship. To all the naysayers out there, I think it's hard for you to understand this without putting yourself in the position of the students facing trenchant racist actions and a slow to respond and "oblivious" administration. I hope that change at the top signals policy and educational changes through and through. This is a great step forward.
10
The ridiculous thing about all this is that it is supposed to mean that NOW; we definitely all need to vote for the Democrat party. Except it's the Democrats who have been encouraging "preventative policing" through subsidy's, since the 1990's. This is what nullify's civil liberties by assuming everyone is a suspect, directs police away from traditional crime and created the hostile environment between police and the community's which are involved (Democrat community's). Voting against Democrats on every level is the real solution, although if your a from the black inner city, you'll only have the opportunity to vote for Democrats and Jim Crow politicians like Obama and Hillary are going to keep it that way.
10
I hope they bring this energy to the voting booths!
13
I hope you are not disappointed.
3
I hope so too. We need a political revolution. Let all the people speak.
Lord, how many times are we going to hear this drivel of "minority privilege"? The very people disapproving of the reaction by aggrieved students are the ones perpetrating the behavior.You are hateful and act that way, then one someone is hurt or disapproves of your behavior you cry foul and say be an adult.Who has privilege ?
And, the individuals who say that the athletes who protested in the "free" UM gear should do it without wearing their "free uniforms" should realize that what they receive in scholarships and attire pales in relation to the money the university receives from their play. UM and the SEC make millions of dollars in tv revenues and merchandise sales that never , ever return to these students but are put into further building the brand and satisfying boosters.
And, the individuals who say that the athletes who protested in the "free" UM gear should do it without wearing their "free uniforms" should realize that what they receive in scholarships and attire pales in relation to the money the university receives from their play. UM and the SEC make millions of dollars in tv revenues and merchandise sales that never , ever return to these students but are put into further building the brand and satisfying boosters.
8
It's 2015 nd Mizzou is going to hire its first diversity officer.
Really.
Time for the Black players at SC to strike.
Really.
Time for the Black players at SC to strike.
4
And what on earth will this diversity officer do?
1
The only time anything changes at Mizzou, my alma mater, is if football is somehow endangered. So good on the players and coach for getting involved.
10
Universities and college were founded as institutions of higher learning . Think sports have taken over the focus.
12
Whaaa? The football team was the last major group on campus to join in! It took such courage because their scholarships could easily have been cancelled. White teamed up with black players to risk everything. That's what America has always been about during its proudest moments. Today, we are all UM.
1
EconProf - Ur joking, obviously. These are entitled brats just trying to do something they -THINK- is important. This was not about real racism... just entitled race bratting. Not a misspelling - I wrote "bratting".
3
Caving into mob rule is never a good policy.
35
"mob rule"? spoken like a true aristocrat.
Maybe giving in to "mob rule" is a bad idea if protestors are throwing moltov cocktails and burning cars, but this is not the case. Being so tone deaf and dollar driven is clearly worse then giving the customers (i.e. students) and faculty employees an environment that they can thrive and be safe in.
Organizational culture starts at the top, executives here clearly were mismatched for the environment in which they operated.
Maybe giving in to "mob rule" is a bad idea if protestors are throwing moltov cocktails and burning cars, but this is not the case. Being so tone deaf and dollar driven is clearly worse then giving the customers (i.e. students) and faculty employees an environment that they can thrive and be safe in.
Organizational culture starts at the top, executives here clearly were mismatched for the environment in which they operated.
9
Unless it's the Tea Party. Then it's Partay on!
4
I see more and more of this coming, and that's a good thing; it's in the demographics. The vast majority of college presidents and upper admin types are white men who came up in a society and time when their dominance was undisputed; the student bodies even in formerly-blindingly-white areas are now, suddenly, diverse. Good. Old white men, old white women: take it as a signal. The world you grew up in is gone. If you think you're going to lead in this one, you'd better know what it is -- and that's going to be some job.
7
Your racial stereotyping is showing. Are you so blind not to see that the words coming from one side of your mouth contradict the words coming out the other?
12
"A graduate student, Jonathan Butler, has been holding a highly publicized hunger strike, saying he would not eat again until Mr. Wolfe was gone"
I would have thought that offers a really convenient solution for getting rid of him.
I would have thought that offers a really convenient solution for getting rid of him.
9
This is what happens when the academic mission is abandoned in favor of extracurricular events. A President with no appropriate credentials is hired and then resigns in response to demonstrations and pressure from a football team. Ole Miss has always been a football institution, apparently it is not much of an academic institution.
8
Ole Miss is in Mississippi. Mizzou is in Columbia, Missouri.
6
You may want to figure out what school it is before you insult them.
8
Be fair. This is the University of Missouri, sometimes known as Mizzou. "Ole Miss" is the University of Mississippi.
This is fantastic news to hear. It shows the power of student integrity and determination against the forces of racism, hostility and indifference. The students have now been hear LOUD and CLEAR!
8
The U of Mo developments mark something new in our slow evolution toward a less racist, more just society. It won't end racist taunts and other displays of hatred. But on a greater scale than we've seen since MLK, it does state loudly and very clearly: White America, stand with us or you will hear from us in new and powerful ways. I like it.
3
For those complaining about a lack of information in this story, that they need more context to make an informed opinion: You are aware of Google ... Yes?
4
Then what is the point of the story? As written, it shows the issue presented by the students to have little or no substance.
19
Both the President and the Provost will be given other positions with less responsibility and the SAME SALARIES....count on it. It is the standard within all of higher education...compensation goes up, it never comes down, no matter what.
1
Yes, this is case of the crows coming home to roost, I wonder how much racism exists in the hollowed halls of the Universities of Alabama; Georgia; Ole Miss et al. MY guess is plenty! But I have to wonder what is the GPA of some of the football students. Perhaps they are taking dance appreciation classes like the footballers at Rutgers. What is sad is the racism does occur when some knuckle heads writes racial slurs or Nazi emblems on public buildings, but lets remember that racism occurs on both sides.
9
As another op-ed observed recently :
“ . . . The fight at the University of Missouri reveals that the football team even at a less-lucrative school can exert significant political power. Which should make the administrations at those more-lucrative schools awfully nervous . . ..”
When the football tail begins to wag the institutional dog, everyone with reasonable priorities should be nervous! The latter tend to believe that the football team should have been admonished to “ take your threat and shove it” That a few 'affirmatively actioned" players had the temerity to make such a threat attests to the increasingly manifest power of wagging tails—tells them, in essence, “anything we want, we can get”.
How refreshing it would have been had Missouii’s top gun told the team (and the coach) to shove it, i.e.,'Cease and desist from making audacious demands, and all temptation to do so, resist. And if you don’t like it here, go elsewhere knowing that you’re on our 'little list of things that will never be missed.”
But, alas, that didn’t happen. Instead the president’s abject resignation, to future exercise of tail-wagging power opened the institutional gate.
Of course the tail- wagging power is real—enough so to overcome any resistance by institutional dogs. That higher institutions have permitted such a state of affairs to come to pass is a sad commentary, indeed,
“ . . . The fight at the University of Missouri reveals that the football team even at a less-lucrative school can exert significant political power. Which should make the administrations at those more-lucrative schools awfully nervous . . ..”
When the football tail begins to wag the institutional dog, everyone with reasonable priorities should be nervous! The latter tend to believe that the football team should have been admonished to “ take your threat and shove it” That a few 'affirmatively actioned" players had the temerity to make such a threat attests to the increasingly manifest power of wagging tails—tells them, in essence, “anything we want, we can get”.
How refreshing it would have been had Missouii’s top gun told the team (and the coach) to shove it, i.e.,'Cease and desist from making audacious demands, and all temptation to do so, resist. And if you don’t like it here, go elsewhere knowing that you’re on our 'little list of things that will never be missed.”
But, alas, that didn’t happen. Instead the president’s abject resignation, to future exercise of tail-wagging power opened the institutional gate.
Of course the tail- wagging power is real—enough so to overcome any resistance by institutional dogs. That higher institutions have permitted such a state of affairs to come to pass is a sad commentary, indeed,
13
It is the alumni and their donations that have the power; no football team, no donations, board get's fired bottom line.
I was struck by the inverted construction of President Timothy M. Wolfe's resignation. I felt the parachute opening as he spoke of "getting frustrated with each other" and forcing "unusual steps" (a hunger strike, for starters).
He continues to blame everyone else until at 1:13 of his 1:17 minute announcement (certainly not an apology or an individual accounting of his utter failure to listen or to lead). Where, or where, was his "love of the university" hiding all these months. It took a hit to their "recruiting ability" and their football player's $1 million dollar threat to forfeit the BYU game to get the Board of Curators to listen to an organized, peaceful and persistent protest. He said that everyone "stopped listening to each other"; when did he start to listen??
He continues to blame everyone else until at 1:13 of his 1:17 minute announcement (certainly not an apology or an individual accounting of his utter failure to listen or to lead). Where, or where, was his "love of the university" hiding all these months. It took a hit to their "recruiting ability" and their football player's $1 million dollar threat to forfeit the BYU game to get the Board of Curators to listen to an organized, peaceful and persistent protest. He said that everyone "stopped listening to each other"; when did he start to listen??
4
I can certainly understand why the African American students are upset. But a swastika written by someone using their feces on a bathroon door is anti- semitic. Why does the NYT not even mention the extreme insult to Jewish students. The word 'anti-semitism' is nowhere to be found in the article. Apparently 'Black lives matter' but, others....not so much.
24
Good on the players for getting involved.
Now if only players on teams accross the nation did this for the right to be properly comensated, the whole rotten edifice of college revenue sports (aka the last plantation in America) would come crashing down.
Now if only players on teams accross the nation did this for the right to be properly comensated, the whole rotten edifice of college revenue sports (aka the last plantation in America) would come crashing down.
4
It's the equivalent of holding a guns to one's head and shooting oneself if the president does not oblige your demands. Than, if you do shoot yourself, just charge the president with your murder. Something is wrong here. The only hero I see is the president, for he saved the student who supposedly would have starved to death.
28
"It was the football team that delivered what might have been the fatal blow to the tenures of the two officials,"
Well, there is something wrong with this that is common to almost all the universities and colleges in the U.S. Why can't we do the right thing unless and until our place in the game -- and the monies associated with that -- is threatened?
Well, there is something wrong with this that is common to almost all the universities and colleges in the U.S. Why can't we do the right thing unless and until our place in the game -- and the monies associated with that -- is threatened?
3
Good. It is only right.
3
Great, two administrators sacked. Now the mob and the football team can get back to their Quantum Physics and Advanced Linear Algebra homework... ha!
34
Like you have any idea--or care--what these students were majoring in. All you apparently want to do is clutch pearls and insult.
The world is full of jerks, but whenever a drunken student utters a racial slur or scrawls graffiti, the college administration must fall on its sword. Where does fashionable outrage and hypersensitivity ever end?
29
Yes, it is SO hypersensitive to be upset about feces-smeared swastikas. Political correctness run amok!
(sarcasm - I figure I'd really better clarify, since apparently what many commenters DO think it is hypersensitive to be upset about a few vicious violence-inciting racial threats. Hey live and let live!)
(sarcasm - I figure I'd really better clarify, since apparently what many commenters DO think it is hypersensitive to be upset about a few vicious violence-inciting racial threats. Hey live and let live!)
6
@DW-It is actually singular, "Swastika" not "Swastikas". And "violence-inciting racial threats" is what Charles Manson and his family tried to provoke. These two incidents, on a campus of 35000 people, are hardly that. Put this in context.
I was an instructor in Political Science back in the late 60's when the anti-war, anti-racism began to get traction. Though a minor player in the protest movement, I still ended up losing my job. Most faculty who supported the administration at the time feared that if my crowd prevailed that adolescent ignorance and emotionality would take over the school. I'm beginning to think they were right and I was wrong. No tears. I caught on at a notch down in the system and loved every minute of my teaching career. But academic honesty has to be respected (once in a while).
13
What nonsense!
If a President of a University is so craven as to be driven out of office by a motley crowd of protesters offended by some personal slight, then I, for one, really wonder why I should pay my daughter's tuition to be "educated" by some spineless weather vanes.
If a President of a University is so craven as to be driven out of office by a motley crowd of protesters offended by some personal slight, then I, for one, really wonder why I should pay my daughter's tuition to be "educated" by some spineless weather vanes.
30
It's a shame you consider racism a mere personal slight.
8
here here
3
It is my fervent hope that college athletes (black & white) take heed of what happened today and realize the power they possess. You don't have to take it anymore!
6
It's really helpful to watch this short NYT video to get insight into the history of racial issues on campus and why the students demanded some response today, not next April:
http://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000004026633/student-president-on-mis...
http://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000004026633/student-president-on-mis...
2
So many of these comments reflect one thing: whites generally believe that racism is a thing of the past that only rarely pops up. Minorities think otherwise because they run into it quite regularly. Perhaps those in the majority might learn something by actually listening to those in the minority rather than assuming that they are wrong because a minority person's statement of how things are differs from the experience that the white person has. We do, in fact, have very different experiences living in the US based solely on the color of our skin.
9
So proud of these young people; it creates new hope for our future. Amazing that the $ perversion that is college (and pro) football can turn into an instrument of political protest and social change.
5
I feel like I'm having a bad flashback to the late 60s with a lot of these comments. They remind me of responses to students protesting the Vietnam War - love it or leave it, etc. By doing a quick google search, I found that Missouri was not just a protest by black students, they were joined by the whole football team and faculty. And the Jewish students were also concerned because a swastika in the dorm makes you feel right at home. And now the chancellor has announced his resignation after the deans objected to his job performance. So the question is, what is with the Board that runs the university. My take is that they are a bunch of political appointees and thought that you could run a school like your local fast food outlet. The University of Iowa has now followed suit by hiring a guy who worked for Boston Market and made some interesting misstatements on his resume about his previous employment. So look for news coming out of Iowa City.
4
Are you surprised? I am not. It was 60 years ago when those same athletes were not allowed to enter the schools of any education; stopped by armed soldiers, snarling dogs, and screaming mobs. So now, they play football, basketball and raise millions for the schools but, they are still humiliated by racist fellow students. Well, at least now we all have a definition of ignorant, uneducated and bigoted. Think of this those same small minded bigots will be in business or government, and will vote. The future looks bleak unless institutions of higher education find the strength and will to help educate racism out of our society. And to the universities out there that need a capitalist justification, it is good for the US economy.
10
Perhaps I missed something, but this seems to boil down to, "Someone called me a name, and now I demand that someone else be fired." What part the loss of revenue from football played isn't clear, but it seems substantial. Nevertheless, this sets a very poor precedent, one of rule by the mob. The protest/intimidation groups concerned seem like the new KKK.
With regard to name-calling, one thought that occurs is that slurs against women are a large part of some popular music, and I wonder how many of those football players like to listen to such music. As a woman and as a mother of girls, I am very much offended by those lyrics.
With regard to name-calling, one thought that occurs is that slurs against women are a large part of some popular music, and I wonder how many of those football players like to listen to such music. As a woman and as a mother of girls, I am very much offended by those lyrics.
37
Again: This was not so much about mere name-calling as it was about inaction regarding racial slurs, including a SWASTIKA MADE OF HUMAN FECES. A university president knows to investigate.
You did not "perhaps" miss something. You are entirely and woefully uninformed. Why be content to be so?
You did not "perhaps" miss something. You are entirely and woefully uninformed. Why be content to be so?
10
Yeah. Sure. The history of race relations in America is all about "Someone called me a name."
Reading these comments, it's surreal. It's like American history never happened. Many commenters seem to have no familiarity with the history of the United States.
So you think blacks are upset because "someone called them a name." That must be it.
Reading these comments, it's surreal. It's like American history never happened. Many commenters seem to have no familiarity with the history of the United States.
So you think blacks are upset because "someone called them a name." That must be it.
5
@Michelle: The swastika should certainly have been investigated and tested for DNA.
@DW: On the contrary, I am quite familiar with the history of the United States, and I have African-American relatives also. But I do think something is wrong when people can go on a witch hunt over something that was allegedly said and someone basically is forced out of a job, apparently without a hearing. It could happen to just about any of us, and, speaking of American history, doesn't seem consistent with the spirit of the Constitution. And misunderstandings can occur, resulting in rushing to judgements that can make everyone look foolish. Some that come to mind are the Tawana Brawley case, the Duke Lacrosse case, and the recent report of a parent filing a formal complaint against a teacher after mistaking the class vocabulary word "denigrate" for a racial slur.
@DW: On the contrary, I am quite familiar with the history of the United States, and I have African-American relatives also. But I do think something is wrong when people can go on a witch hunt over something that was allegedly said and someone basically is forced out of a job, apparently without a hearing. It could happen to just about any of us, and, speaking of American history, doesn't seem consistent with the spirit of the Constitution. And misunderstandings can occur, resulting in rushing to judgements that can make everyone look foolish. Some that come to mind are the Tawana Brawley case, the Duke Lacrosse case, and the recent report of a parent filing a formal complaint against a teacher after mistaking the class vocabulary word "denigrate" for a racial slur.
5
This is dysfunctional to say the least.
So some unknown people shouted racial slurs and another unknown person put a feces swastika on a bathroom wall. It's amazing that nobody has been identified that did these things. But from there a known person was held responsible who does not appear to be a racist but stood pretty tall in his resignation speech taking responsibility. Some, but not all, football players supported the protest which was amazing because they are a "big deal" on campus unlike say a famous Professor who is a known expert in their field.
Now we are post resignation and what has changed? Nobody knows who shouted the slurs. The students don't really know what they want. They may have lost a chance to work with someone who really could have helped them if they weren't busy shouting and verbally assaulting him. The administration still does not know how to fix racism. The football team goes back to their losing football season, which may explain why some of them were so willing to forgo the game this weekend, and people "ooh and ah" that football really is important when it is really a professional farm system that does not belong on campus.
Not much intellect shown on this campus but the mob ruled and now they can live with the hangover.
So some unknown people shouted racial slurs and another unknown person put a feces swastika on a bathroom wall. It's amazing that nobody has been identified that did these things. But from there a known person was held responsible who does not appear to be a racist but stood pretty tall in his resignation speech taking responsibility. Some, but not all, football players supported the protest which was amazing because they are a "big deal" on campus unlike say a famous Professor who is a known expert in their field.
Now we are post resignation and what has changed? Nobody knows who shouted the slurs. The students don't really know what they want. They may have lost a chance to work with someone who really could have helped them if they weren't busy shouting and verbally assaulting him. The administration still does not know how to fix racism. The football team goes back to their losing football season, which may explain why some of them were so willing to forgo the game this weekend, and people "ooh and ah" that football really is important when it is really a professional farm system that does not belong on campus.
Not much intellect shown on this campus but the mob ruled and now they can live with the hangover.
33
The lack of intelligence is not from the protesters.
Names ARE known. Targeted students WERE trying to have those responsible brought to the fore. The president looked the other way; thus, the protests.
Why is that so difficult for you to grasp? Too wedded to the false narrative of "Liberal elites at it again?"
Names ARE known. Targeted students WERE trying to have those responsible brought to the fore. The president looked the other way; thus, the protests.
Why is that so difficult for you to grasp? Too wedded to the false narrative of "Liberal elites at it again?"
5
Right. What's a few feces-smeared swastikas on the bathroom wall in the morning. Kids today. Such special snowflakes.
1
If names were known, then why on earth have they not come out? Contrast this to the public shaming of a Columbia University student by another student alleging sexual assault?
It strains credulity to think that this group would not have outed an alleged perpetrator. And if they had brought the name of a specific individual(s) to the President, why on earth would he have refused to investigate?
It doesn't pass the smell test, sorry.
It strains credulity to think that this group would not have outed an alleged perpetrator. And if they had brought the name of a specific individual(s) to the President, why on earth would he have refused to investigate?
It doesn't pass the smell test, sorry.
1
Wolfe was obviously completely incapable of assessing the seriousness of this situation and controlling the damage. He comes off as a poor administrator and through his inaction demonstrated that he did not take the students' concerns seriously. Even if you are blind to the frustration of these students, you should not dismiss them out of hand and you certainly cannot dispute that the situation had become untenable. Wolfe was an ineffective leader and it's right that he stepped down.
And really, even if I didn't know anything about what's going on here, the completely ugly tone of those against this resignation is appalling enough to know whose side to be on. Racism permeates everything in life, and people sure do love to defend authority and condemn uppity lesser-thans.
And really, even if I didn't know anything about what's going on here, the completely ugly tone of those against this resignation is appalling enough to know whose side to be on. Racism permeates everything in life, and people sure do love to defend authority and condemn uppity lesser-thans.
6
Can The Times please perform its usual journalistic thoroughness and report on the terms under which these university leaders agreed to resign?
For how long will their salary and benefits continue, either under the regular contract or the agreement under which the just resigned? Will they be working as "consultants" to the university for some period of time?
Also, many top academic officers at universities also hold tenured faculty positions. Is that the case with these gentlemen? If so, they will likely go back to these faculty positions at the institution rather than leave it entirely.
Please keep up the good work on this and related stories!
For how long will their salary and benefits continue, either under the regular contract or the agreement under which the just resigned? Will they be working as "consultants" to the university for some period of time?
Also, many top academic officers at universities also hold tenured faculty positions. Is that the case with these gentlemen? If so, they will likely go back to these faculty positions at the institution rather than leave it entirely.
Please keep up the good work on this and related stories!
4
The President was not an educator, probably never taught a college course in his life. So no, he would not be a tenured faculty member. But I'm sure he's getting a nice severance of some sort.
3
I don't understand what is so difficult about NOT tolerating racial slurs and swastikas. This behavior is unacceptable. If the article is to be believed, Mr. Wolfe didn't really call for changes or action about those incidents. The article also speaks to "a series of racist incidents." <br/><br/>Contrast that with the response of David Boren from the University of Oklahoma, and the fraternity singing-on-the-bus video. His reaction was swift, impassioned, unambiguous and highly principled.
22
What action was he supposed to do? I'm just asking, what would have satisfied you, and more to the point, the loud students?
13
This behavior is unacceptable, but it is not illegal, no matter how many colleges students believe 'free speech' only applies to their own 'correct' speech.
10
If you're an official of a midwestern university, don't mess with the football program or there will be consequences.
9
Readers, please calm down. I posted this with another article about the President of MU resigning this morning. THIS IS ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN RACE. The press must be concentrating on the race issue to cause anger and chaos. Apparently President Wolfe is a Koch brothers/radical religious right operative because he cancelled a long-running contract with Planned Parenthood and tried to make graduate students work for slave wages and deny them healthcare. WE do not need religious zealots and Koch brothers operatives running OUR educational facilities. Religious organizations and for-profit-only educational facilities should not get one dime of OUR taxpayer money. WE have had enough. Here are a couple of articles that explain:
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/state-and-regional/university-of-miss...
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/university-of-missouri-grad...
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/state-and-regional/university-of-miss...
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/education/university-of-missouri-grad...
10
Thank you for your intelligent contribution. The President needed to go.
2
Fair enough but I will tell you what got me all up in arms: the student manifesto that begin with a demand that this guy essentially apologize for white privilege. Once his skin color was brought into it, they lost me, sorry.
19
That makes more sense than the paucity of information in the article -
3
Those who criticize the students for "demanding immediate change" do not know history. Those who have been humiliated time and time again, whose rights are disregarded have been very patient. How long did it take slavery to end? And today, more than a century later, African-Americans still have to fight to be treated and seen as human beings. So really, patience? It is the ones who never had to fight for the right to be treated with dignity who do not understand what it feels like to be spat upon time and time again. Kudos to these students who have risked a lot to be heard. Kudos to the others in the student body, including faculty, who sided with these students. Kudos to all those who understand that Americans have a right to assemble and address grievances.
16
"African-Americans still have to fight to be treated and seen as human beings" ?? Really? When we have a black First Lady?
No is being spat on. Spare us the hyperbole.
No is being spat on. Spare us the hyperbole.
15
When it becomes all about the president and not about the institution it is time for the president to step down. A university president has to first and foremost protect the institution. And when he is unable to he needs to step away. Wolfe did that--a bit more slowly than was healthy for the university but at least it is done.
Now others can get on with the healing. Looks like they still need to diagnosis a few of the wounds, such as identifying the systematic insults and barriers minority students face and work towards the prevention of future damage.
Now others can get on with the healing. Looks like they still need to diagnosis a few of the wounds, such as identifying the systematic insults and barriers minority students face and work towards the prevention of future damage.
3
What exactly was accomplished here?
Are there never now going to be any more racial epithets spoken or any new bigoted vandalism ? Doubtful.
It is a typically pointless exercise in futility - we've "done something" , "spoken out", "held someone responsible". What precisely "should" have been done, except a more expeditious "I feel your pain" ? That seems to be the only clear point to all this.
This whole striving for absolute "safety" will ultimately fail, because a world without others who might hurt your feelings is unattainable. And the fevered pursuit itself will finally probably be destructive to that entire quest.
Are there never now going to be any more racial epithets spoken or any new bigoted vandalism ? Doubtful.
It is a typically pointless exercise in futility - we've "done something" , "spoken out", "held someone responsible". What precisely "should" have been done, except a more expeditious "I feel your pain" ? That seems to be the only clear point to all this.
This whole striving for absolute "safety" will ultimately fail, because a world without others who might hurt your feelings is unattainable. And the fevered pursuit itself will finally probably be destructive to that entire quest.
23
Nothing. It will be a something else next week.
As far as the scholarship students refusing to play...fine, renounce your scholarship and play elsewhere.
As far as the scholarship students refusing to play...fine, renounce your scholarship and play elsewhere.
17
What was accomplished? 1) the resignation of the president of the University of Missouri, and 2) the proof that a big university's football team - even one like UM's with a losing record so far this season - is more important than its president. Another president can be found, but Saturday's game can't be stopped.
4
My apologies to the Missouri Tigers football team for misrepresenting their record in my previous post. They're 4-2 so far this season. Their performance in this political confrontation was a winner too.
Good for them all! And yes, Mr. Butler is correct, why does it take this much --- it should have been dealt with immediately. (The nuns of old would have had the perpetrator by the ears!)
4
This issue has me confused, I was impressed with President Wolfe's press conference and his authentic concern over healing. I frankly was quite surprised that Coach Pinkel placed himself in the middle of this dispute: taking the side of his players who blackmailed the University, rather than meeting to mediate some common ground.
23
Put that smiling spokesman in one of the roles he helped to empty, because nobody will really want them, and watch him fade.
2
There are so many important issues at play here--of local, national and universal concern. It's easy to conflate them.
So let's be clear: there are two things we can state without a doubt:
1). despite his quasi-Harvard certification, the guy was ridiculously unqualified to run a major state university, much less a football program with Saturday spots on national television. W., at least, had an actual degree from Harvard--or so we've been told.
2). football is the only thing that matters in American society.
So let's be clear: there are two things we can state without a doubt:
1). despite his quasi-Harvard certification, the guy was ridiculously unqualified to run a major state university, much less a football program with Saturday spots on national television. W., at least, had an actual degree from Harvard--or so we've been told.
2). football is the only thing that matters in American society.
3
Wolfe resigns, giving stature and weight especially to the striking scholarship football players. His resignation merely empowers the perennially dissatisfied. Football once again appears to have more value than academics, and protest more value than classroom instruction.
I would liked to have seen the football players lose their scholarships, and the remaining losing season cancelled.
Don't taxpayers deserve better?
I would liked to have seen the football players lose their scholarships, and the remaining losing season cancelled.
Don't taxpayers deserve better?
23
Ah, the smug ''perennially dissatisfied.''
Lots of classic dog whistles rolled into that one. Congratulations.
But I do agree taxpayers deserve better. As such, Wolfe did the right thing. Why pay a bloated salary to someone who is nothing more than a second-rate accountant?
Lots of classic dog whistles rolled into that one. Congratulations.
But I do agree taxpayers deserve better. As such, Wolfe did the right thing. Why pay a bloated salary to someone who is nothing more than a second-rate accountant?
3
And now, what would make this wonderful is if the best MO (and nearby) football players, inspired and empowered by the new MO legacy (Sam's heroism as well as this wk's success) come to MO, turn the program around (well, actually it is pretty good anyway), go to the NFL and change the culture there too. Impossible? Not really. What is sure is the NCAA and NFL need something like this desperately.
2
So... Black Lives DO matter - if they play football?
Good for them for standing up but wouldn't it be nice if ordinary students got a more meaningful response?
Good for them for standing up but wouldn't it be nice if ordinary students got a more meaningful response?
94
What matters are not the Black lives playing college football, but the greenbacks they generate for their institutions. The resignation of President Wolfe laid bare that crass, cynical reality.
1
I always thought all lives matter. Am I wrong?
3
Now perhaps the football coach will take the job of University President. After all he is behind the students and not much of a coach, so to use a cliche it would be a win win job change.
9
The university president's resignation is appeasement at its worst. Despite all the talk about the importance of diversity, diversity of ideas is completely banned on American college campuses. The president made his opinion known to the students. It was not an irrational or extreme opinion. The students disagreed with him. But rather than tolerate his point of view they basically staged a coup d'état. Who's is next at the University of Missouri? Will any professor have the nerve to say anything controversial or give a black student a "C"? Any employer considering hiring a black graduate of the university will have to ask themselves whether the student actually earned their degree or just intimidated the faculty into giving them good grades.
32
Joe, to say students are going to protest for getting a low grade .... Really??? And the faculty and football coach are taking the side of the students. You should get the entire story, including, but not limited to, the President essentially ignoring the students concerns for months, before you write such an over the top response to what some brave students have done.
2
Psssst ... I think maybe the "diversity of ideas" they were having a tiny problem with related to the feces-smeared swastika, and the bellowing of the "N" word at black students.
4
DW: '...a tiny problem with related to the feces-smeared swastika, and the bellowing of the "N" word at black students...'
By individuals.
Unless you are saying that individual's right to free speech should be curtailed on campuses?
I do have a problem with the bellowing of the "N" word in almost every rap song played in almost every dorm room...shall I sue?
By individuals.
Unless you are saying that individual's right to free speech should be curtailed on campuses?
I do have a problem with the bellowing of the "N" word in almost every rap song played in almost every dorm room...shall I sue?
8
...and, just as the situation is being addressed [finally], a race-baiting tweet by a GOP student group on campus ( as if on cue), couldn't contain itself; giving much credence to the protester's complaints.
2:30 p.m.
"A University of Missouri Republican student group is apologizing for a tweet likening students protesting the school's handling of racial issues with Islamic extremism.
The Mizzou College Republicans deleted the Monday morning tweet"
2:30 p.m.
"A University of Missouri Republican student group is apologizing for a tweet likening students protesting the school's handling of racial issues with Islamic extremism.
The Mizzou College Republicans deleted the Monday morning tweet"
4
I'd rather see what was tweeted than hear your characterization of it.
4
It is their First Amendment right to post even offensive tweets, just as it is rap artists First Amendment right to sing offensive lyrics.
Or should there be 'separate but equal' free speech laws?
Or should there be 'separate but equal' free speech laws?
10
I have heard very little of substance about the students complaints - that does not mean they do not exist - but news reports - as far as I am concerned are sketchy. In my opinion, as currently presented, this situation does not pass a smell test.
24
imagine if all the colleges that have documented sexual assaults, discrimination, and harassment had protests demanding the resignation of their college presidents - not one school would be untouched . Women have been subjected to as bad ,if not regularly worse , experiences on campus .
17
Now THIS should be a NY Times pick.
3
A whole reservoir, tidal wave occurring almost in the center of the nation is emerging new TALENT- Thought Leaders, on issues so fragile and delicate like Race Relations and Cultural Tolerance Sensitivity in real time. Earlier reports about scholar student athletes boycotting sports, of which they love and breathe, all because of actions and/ or in-actions to unsettling Race related events !
These MU's student leaders and organizers will become EXAMPLES for population centers around the world. It's way past time of seeing the traditional national civil rights slide-show parade of the regulars: here the ORDINARY took, complicated issues of Race, Class and Culture Insensitivity; and simply concluded- "ENOUGH": giving birth to becoming EXTRAORDINARY.
Thanks and BLESSINGS for utilizing every ounce of education and style to re-teach MU and world, we really are in another TIME, yall's actions will live into future histories. Stay encouraged and know each of you are appreciated. And thanks to the Board of Curators for letting Mr. Wolfe not make this get worst.
Marvin S. Robinson, II
Quindaro Ruins / Underground Railroad- Exercise 2016
These MU's student leaders and organizers will become EXAMPLES for population centers around the world. It's way past time of seeing the traditional national civil rights slide-show parade of the regulars: here the ORDINARY took, complicated issues of Race, Class and Culture Insensitivity; and simply concluded- "ENOUGH": giving birth to becoming EXTRAORDINARY.
Thanks and BLESSINGS for utilizing every ounce of education and style to re-teach MU and world, we really are in another TIME, yall's actions will live into future histories. Stay encouraged and know each of you are appreciated. And thanks to the Board of Curators for letting Mr. Wolfe not make this get worst.
Marvin S. Robinson, II
Quindaro Ruins / Underground Railroad- Exercise 2016
2
The student body at U of Missouri has only 7% African American students. That's a woeful number for a public institution, in a state with a significant black population. It's not hard to believe the students when they say there are systemic problems and a lack of responsiveness by the powers-that-be in the institution.
Let's remember, too, that a large number of faculty and Deans had expressed a lack of confidence in the leaders as well.
Let's remember, too, that a large number of faculty and Deans had expressed a lack of confidence in the leaders as well.
4
"The student body at U of Missouri has only 7% African American students. "
So what? A university, like life, is not a box of crayons. You don't automatically get one of each.
So what? A university, like life, is not a box of crayons. You don't automatically get one of each.
10
In Response to: "The student body at U of Missouri has only 7% African American students. That's a woeful number for a public institution, in a state with a significant black population."
Yes,7% African American students is low, but African American population of Missouri is 11.8% as of 2014. So it is certainly below general population percent, but would still be only a few percent higher if proportional to state population.
Yes,7% African American students is low, but African American population of Missouri is 11.8% as of 2014. So it is certainly below general population percent, but would still be only a few percent higher if proportional to state population.
11
Zero background information was provided here that would have enabled a reader to understand how the University President was blamed for problems there. As is, one supposes there were problems. "Racial incidents". Did Wolfe use a slur in a meeting? What exactly is he being blamed for?
It seems as though a key part of this story is being left out. My point is, it is terribly bad and frustrating reporting that leaves out a key part of the story.
People are upset, yes, I get it. WHY was Wolfe blamed?
It seems as though a key part of this story is being left out. My point is, it is terribly bad and frustrating reporting that leaves out a key part of the story.
People are upset, yes, I get it. WHY was Wolfe blamed?
26
He did nothing. He didn't offer enough sympathy to protesting students at the homecoming parade/event. He didn't even know WHY they were protesting and did what any rational President would do for those disrupting a homecoming; had them dispersed. He later made a statement sympathetic to what they were protesting about. Aparantly he didn't pander to the level they all wanted. Dispicable. The man has NEVER done a racist thing in his life but takes the fall. The football players and students ought to be ashamed of themselves.
13
For all the hubbub about getting football players paid and treated better (a movement I support) the mobilization of players for change here was perhaps an even more profound use of their power. Of course, the football players were joining many serious protesters who had done much work, but I think this moment may end up being remembered in part as one where a football team realized their worth and used it to leverage change. Great for them and I'll be interested to see what kinds of change other teams pursue.
5
“It is my belief we stopped listening to each other,”...“We have to respect each other enough to stop yelling at each other and start listening, and quit intimidating each other.”
The oft expressed sentiment from both sides repeated all through this period of racial protest and strife...often followed by silent declarations of, "You first."
The oft expressed sentiment from both sides repeated all through this period of racial protest and strife...often followed by silent declarations of, "You first."
1
Racism isn't about hate or lack of understanding. It's about power. Which translates into white entitlement to abuse and humiliate others knowing there will be no consequences.
1
The former UM president should have ordered an investigation into these 3 alleged racial incidences. I hope that the new president will do so. The NY Times reporting does not say, but it would be interested to know if these alleged incidents can be independently verified, or were these only self reports without independent witnesses?
These incidents sound fishy at best to me. In this age of cell phones, were any of these incidents recorded?
(Rachel Dolezal (the white woman who passed herself as black least anyone forget) allegedly reported many incidents of racial harassment, but none could be verified by police investigation, including alleged hate mail that contained no date stamp, cancellation or bar code. The incidents certainly supported her agenda but were not credible, and indeed she was completely discredited.)
Allegations such as these at UM should be investigated, if they are true, the perpetrators should be found, if they cannot be verified, the public has a right to know that. The country has enough legitimate racial problems, it does not need unsubstantiated reports of racism to muddy the waters.
These incidents sound fishy at best to me. In this age of cell phones, were any of these incidents recorded?
(Rachel Dolezal (the white woman who passed herself as black least anyone forget) allegedly reported many incidents of racial harassment, but none could be verified by police investigation, including alleged hate mail that contained no date stamp, cancellation or bar code. The incidents certainly supported her agenda but were not credible, and indeed she was completely discredited.)
Allegations such as these at UM should be investigated, if they are true, the perpetrators should be found, if they cannot be verified, the public has a right to know that. The country has enough legitimate racial problems, it does not need unsubstantiated reports of racism to muddy the waters.
22
Once Gary Pinkel stood with his football players, the tide was turned. Wolfe might be able to go against a single football player, but probably not a large group of them. And certainly not against a football coach aligned with his players.
9
And thats the problem with American universities. If I was appointed president of a University, the first thing I would do, would be to shut down the football and other sports teams. They have no place in a university which is an academic institution for learning.
9
Another victory for political correctness and defeat for America.
39
really really sad.
2
If every time a slur is uttered on or off campus a president has to step down, then universities will descend into chaos.
If every time a university student is angry at not getting the financial support he feels he deserves, a president has to step down, then universities will descend into chaos.
No one says slurs aren't offensive, stupid, vile or worse. But on the scale of possible harms that can happen to you, they are trivial. OK, be offended, and then move on. If you let the low-lifes who utter the slurs get to you, then you have handed them a victory.
If every time a university student is angry at not getting the financial support he feels he deserves, a president has to step down, then universities will descend into chaos.
No one says slurs aren't offensive, stupid, vile or worse. But on the scale of possible harms that can happen to you, they are trivial. OK, be offended, and then move on. If you let the low-lifes who utter the slurs get to you, then you have handed them a victory.
37
At some point, a few slurs become more than a few and become pervasive.
How much learning is possible in a hate-filled environment?
How much learning is possible in a hate-filled environment?
5
Oh, please. Hate-flled? Bit of a reach, unless you're so paranoid and neurotic you should not be on a college campus in the first place.
9
All the coverage I've seen has cited one incident with no uninvolved witnesses or cell phone footage or identified name-callers. It's hard to know what the president was supposed to do.
9
Based on the NYT's reporting, the President did his job. He doesn't have the authority nor the power to address their alleged grievances. The only racism apparent here is the protesting student's attitude towards white people.
60
Exactly. Completely unchallenged by the media, by the way. I am still seething that the first demand on that manifesto was that he apologize for white privilege.. Rather outrageous.
13
The self righteous moral attitude of the protesters is just too much to take.
So, now it is revealed that the football team protestors were in the minority. Get rid of the coach who no doubt is saving his job.
13
Loften's biggest achievement at Texas A&M was moving athletic conferences. He did get a great golden handshake upon leaving and negotiated hard to take his iPad with him along with nearly $1M.
In Rome, the big change was when the Praetorian Guard named the emperors. In the US, this may be the next logical step. Maybe the chair of the JCS will get to name the next president.
4
Read "Seven Days in May". Fictional. but...
2
Stay alert, in any event.
1
Legitimate outrage over racial slurs has turned into yet another opportunity for the righties to take their shopworn jabs at anything remotely intellectual and informed.
What a drag on society. No wonder we never get anywhere.
What a drag on society. No wonder we never get anywhere.
5
Yeah, and it's really exposing once again how authoritarian they are. Followers to a one.
1
I believe the point of those who don't whole -hearted agree with these events is that we are seeing people lose their jobs in recent times because of a perceived lack of empathy for the offended or God forbid, actually offending someone.
One cannot overcome emotions with facts.
One cannot overcome emotions with facts.
7
Do I agree with racial discrimination? Absolutely not! However, its seems sad to me that this should be decided based on the amount of money a university would lose if they didn't play a football game instead of the amount of money, prestige, and recognition they would lose for their academic prowess. This is a poor documentary on the state of our institutions of higher learning when sports outweigh scholastics.
14
Perhaps it's time to use the clout of football to pay the players.
3
I'm more familiar with the C. Brice Ratchford era than the R. Bowen Loftin era, but I gotta wonder...what's with the first-initial, middle name trope that brings down Mizzou chancellors?
2
The coach should be fired and the football ringleaders pulled off the team. The Children should not be running the school. refusing to accept that there might be a better approach.
21
With enlightened adults like you, we'd still be fighting (and dying) in Vietnam.
2
If you want to take credit for the spoils of civil disobedience, you should be willing to suffer the slings and arrows, and consequences.
On the one hand the student activism displayed here is really admirable and an example of what could be accomplished in many other communities struggling with racism, injustice, and discrimination. It's amazing what people can accomplish when they unite and work towards the greater good using non-violent tactics. However, I don't believe that the resignation of one man who seemed sort of oblivious to the severity of these problems will result in a dramatic and immediate improvement in race relations on at Univ of Miss. This will take a lot of time and a lot of work on both sides. Ultimately, there must have been other people, at lower administrative levels who also turned a blind eye to the incidents that were occurring at the university, which in turn enabled the frustrations of the students, as well as the faculty to reach a breaking point. But Wolfe was right to fall on the sword as nothing could be accomplished until he was gone.
8
Make that two people. The Chancellor of the state system just announced he'll leave next month!
1
Seventy-one years ago, Jackie Robinson was stationed at Ft. Riley Kansas. Robinson wanted to play baseball for the Ft. Riley team, but was rebuffed by the baseball coach because of the color of his skin. The Army post commander wanted Robinson, a former star at UCLA to play football for the Ft. Riley team. Robinson was reluctant because of his experience with the baseball coach, but finally agreed to play football.
The first game was against the University of Missouri's lily-White football team in Missouri. The university learned that the visiting Army team had a Black player and told the Army that the Missouri team would not play against a Black. The Army offered Robinson a two-week pass. Robinson accepted the pass, and on his return quit the team, saying if he could not play in Missouri, he would not play any place for the Army team.
The University of Missouri has a shameful past. Good for those Black football team members who said they would quit if the University President did not resign! They are living the legacy of Jackie Robinson.
The first game was against the University of Missouri's lily-White football team in Missouri. The university learned that the visiting Army team had a Black player and told the Army that the Missouri team would not play against a Black. The Army offered Robinson a two-week pass. Robinson accepted the pass, and on his return quit the team, saying if he could not play in Missouri, he would not play any place for the Army team.
The University of Missouri has a shameful past. Good for those Black football team members who said they would quit if the University President did not resign! They are living the legacy of Jackie Robinson.
21
Give me a break that was over 60 years ago. The fact is there are a group of students who think they should run things. Let the football players leave and get new ones. They have a losing record anyway. Who is in charge the children or the adults.
13
But is this a continuation of that past? These were two uncorroborated incidents that, if true, amount to more of the same in the American heartland and certainly do not seem amendable to "investigation" by the President (a sham investigation would have been easy - what was Wolfe thinking not appointing a committee of victims to investigate these instances of banal evil so that the committee could come up with a recommendation that the university invest heavily in navel gazing seminars and town hall meetings?) There is racism and evil that endures in America despite the election of a black president and the declaration of a "post racial era." These protests and the resignation of the president do not ameliorate that reality in any way and do not address Missouri's "shameful past" that you cite in any way. Jackie Robinson would be aghast at the waste of energy by a bunch of privileged college kids and their faculty who just want to be in high dudgeon and have found their feeble spark. This whole incident accomplishes nothing at all.
8
Has anyone, yet, proven there is any systemic racial issue at MU? Didn't think so. If a football team is playing as bad as Missouri no better deflection than to talk about 'race'. Boys, you had better play a little better or your scholarships WILL be gone. Along with your coach no matter how PC he claims to be.
9
I suspect that if the football team went on strike for medicaid expansion they'd get that too.
17
Now there's a thought...
1
Not at 1-5 in the SEC.
3
So, is this about human rights or football money? As a retired psychology professor, I hope it was the former, but fear that, as we've seen at Penn State, that football and big time athletics may have more do to with it than a student who was about to starve to death in protest. In any case, the solidarity of the Missouri students including the members of the football team is encouraging for racial progress in a an area that has spawned the "Ferguson effect." I hope the students will take that energy into the elections in the coming year when the choice and the consequences for racial and social progress couldn't be any starker than anytime since the civil rights era of my college days.
2
What a joke. Most of these students don't even know what they are protesting. Protesting has become a fad for this uninformed age group. My child is a college student and cannot believe the lack of information most college students have. They will protest anything without all of the information and then we have the protesters who get paid. Universities have become a joke.
13
Must have been sent by a cryogenically frozen guy from the 1960s. There are no protests on campuses and student radicalism ended decades ago.
This news reiterates what is control in many higher educational establishments in the US - the corrupting influence of sports revenue derived from an unpaid workforce (student athlete volunteers). These schools are free minor leagues for a few billionaire barons who own major league sports franchises. All of the rest of the people directly involved here, are puppets in a play that has no name but has a guarantee - a very large payoff to the puppeteers.
6
If the football team hadn't been involved this would have gone on for years, and the same sort of people commenting here "what's the big deal about a few racial slurs?" (generally folk who've never been subject to prejudice themselves, or agree with it) would have just kept nodding their heads.
No football, a million $ loss for the university. That's what drove this, not students protesting.
No football, a million $ loss for the university. That's what drove this, not students protesting.
10
The football players are students, therefore yes, it "was students protesting".
2
Someone tell me; what is "this"? The article does not give any evidence of racism at Missouri. They mention one nutjob at theatre rehersal and ancedotal statements about something someone said. That's it?! Feces in the shape of a Nazi symbol...I'd say that is anti-Semitism. And for this the President had to resign? What? Hello?
8
I really hope this spreads to other schools and other teams. These kids have power they are only beginning to understand.
9
Great, just great.
1
I fail to see what a swastika ( written in sh-t) has to do with Blacks? Why weren't Jews complaining about this obviously anti- semitic incident? Is everyone in Missouri an ignoramus?
26
In addition to numerous racial slurs shouted at Black students (including one at Black Collegians dance), the swastika is meaningful.
1
I believe that the swastika has also been adopted by Neo-Nazis and the Aryan Brotherhood - organizations both anti-Semitic and anti-minority.
And, technically, a Semite is a term with both racial and religious connotations.
And, technically, a Semite is a term with both racial and religious connotations.
1
I think the ignoramus is quite clear here! The swastika is an abhorrent symbol of Nazi racism. And racism is abhorrent who ever bestows it!
Just so everyone knows. Yes, Wolfe needed to go, but in fact the real problem is Loftin, the Missouri-Columbia chancellor. Wolfe's primary problem was not handling Loftin (the deans all voted no confidence in him (Loftin) wks ago) and now I can tell you that he feels safe because his boss has gone down. Loftin needs to go; the problems with grad students and the race happened under him -- unfortunately there is now no one around, with Wolfe departure, to fire him. Some will say that he in fact played the ant-Wolfe turn in this whole story: he spent a lot of time with the protesting students when that protest congealed against Wolfe. Remember in the past few days that Wolfe kept saying that he wanted to bring both sides to the table -- do you all know what that meant? Wolfe meant the grad and minority students at UMC and Loftin -- Loftin was on the other side. I understand that the media -- even the NYT -- has about .1 sec of attention to spend on this story. There is little chance of a serious, in-depth discussion of what is really happening. But the NYT readers are better. Know that life for blacks (and grad students -- who are invisible here) will not really change unless the chancellor is also replaced -- ideally by someone who actually understands American academia.
3
Possibly you are right, you claim to have special knowledge not available to us. But for me, I'm going to stick to political correctness run wild, that again, those in the middle will see and move away from Hillary next November.
3
And now he's gone.
The resignation of Mr. Wolfe is unlikely to move our great nation in the direction of better racial harmony.
The activists should hope they are not one day forced to resign as a result of the transgressions of others.
The activists should hope they are not one day forced to resign as a result of the transgressions of others.
23
Imagine what professional athletes would accomplish, if they were as brave and as principled as these young student activists and the young black men of the University of Missouri football team who stood in solidarity with them by refusing to play another day for an administration that was deaf to their cries for justice for the racist harassment they were subjected to.
These young men and women won a victory far more important than a college football game. They won a victory for institutional accountability for the humanity and well-being of its student body. They won a victory for justice. Let it roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.
These young men and women won a victory far more important than a college football game. They won a victory for institutional accountability for the humanity and well-being of its student body. They won a victory for justice. Let it roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.
6
Too little, too late, Wolfe. Another racist white male bites the dust. Now maybe college adminstrators will get serious about real reforms: outlawing offensive language on campus, pressing criminal charges against students who use racist language, and cracking down on white fraternities.
6
I'm glad he's gone, but you can't outlaw offensive language (especially at a state school), and a good thing too. Racist language isn't a crime. And what's with the racism of cracking down on white fraternities? Or did you mean (as I hope) racist fraternities?
1
Don't you see the frightening implications of your foolish demands?
9
Ok...who will determine what language is offensive?? There are speech codes today that deem the phrase "America is the land of opportunity " as offensive. Who the heck is going to police this, not to mention First Amendment issues? And same thing on pressing criminal charges for "racist" language. What will be deemed racist and who will police it?
As far as frats, what "crackdown" are you babbling about?? If you don't like an organization, it's simple: don't join it!
The kind of world you want to live in, fortunately, is not the kind of world most normal people want.
As far as frats, what "crackdown" are you babbling about?? If you don't like an organization, it's simple: don't join it!
The kind of world you want to live in, fortunately, is not the kind of world most normal people want.
7
It is not a matter of if, but when, a Republican in some GOP circle will resign over making an unfortunate statement about these protesters.
On that note, it is amazing, but not surprising, that the commentators who castigate the protesters as hostage-taking troublemakers do not find a shred of fault with the acts of racism that sparked the outrage.
Very telling.
On that note, it is amazing, but not surprising, that the commentators who castigate the protesters as hostage-taking troublemakers do not find a shred of fault with the acts of racism that sparked the outrage.
Very telling.
12
Mx Jones: Beyond the swastika (not obviously racist, though certainly anti-Semitic) and an alleged incident in which unknown persons spoke a racial slur, we're not told of "acts of racism". Please direct your concern at the authors of this article for writing something so unconvincing and filled with holes.
12
And his resignation will accomplish what?
21
Gets him off the hook and makes him another right-wing hero/martyr.
It will make other leaders more likely to notice and respond strongly and more quickly to racism and antisemitism.
1
It will wake up the Board of Curators that they need to find an appropriate president who considers and acts on student concern. You know students--the ones whose tuition pay their salaries.
Hey university administrators,
while you are at it, how about a name change to more accurately describe your mission? I suggest -- Football Club of Missouri.
while you are at it, how about a name change to more accurately describe your mission? I suggest -- Football Club of Missouri.
13
According to the link provided in the article, Johnathan Butler said someone drew a swastika with their own feces in a bathroom in Gateway Hall, but how could he have known the person used his or her own feces? The truth is that no one knows the name, gender, race, or ethnicity of the person who drew the swastika, and no one knows what motivated the person to draw the swastika. Black students alleged they have been the object of racial slurs, but they never seem able to identify the people who made the racial slurs, even though these people are supposedly classmates. Do people go around the campus masked? Why are there no cell phone photos of the offenders? Wouldn't it make more sense to expel students who make racial slurs than firing university presidents and spending millions to build and staff and staff campus social justice centers?
23
The central issue here was precisely that students who were targeted or who believed they were targeted DID name names, and were ignored. Their allegations were never investigated. Ever. Nothing was done. So how do you expel students making racial slurs if you refuse to find out who they are and whether allegations about them are true? What good are cell phone photos if they are just going to be shrugged off? And why split hairs over whether someone used their own feces or someone else's? What difference does that make?
Honestly, I don't get the appeal of choosing to be uninformed.
Honestly, I don't get the appeal of choosing to be uninformed.
5
The students haven't "named names." List some of the names the students have listed. Start with the name of the person who drew the swastika on the dorm wall.
6
A couple of thoughts. First, Wolfe's recent comments were very condescending and patronizing. He said something like "we appreciate the passionate way you've raised these issues." The next words could have been "Now go sit down."
Secondly, we heard about the racist insults thrown at black students and the swastika. But the media have told us nothing about complaints that students made and how, exactly, thing were handled---or ignored. We haven't heard about this.
My last thought is that I read that the white players on the team supported the strike. I read that early on, and then....nothing more about the white players. Why take away the incentive for white people to stand up in support? Why pretend that they didn't exist or didn't help? It must make a better story to only include black players in photos. A better story if a movie gets made or anything like that. It's a bad message to send to white people who want to be part of the solution----we don't need your stinkin' support.
Secondly, we heard about the racist insults thrown at black students and the swastika. But the media have told us nothing about complaints that students made and how, exactly, thing were handled---or ignored. We haven't heard about this.
My last thought is that I read that the white players on the team supported the strike. I read that early on, and then....nothing more about the white players. Why take away the incentive for white people to stand up in support? Why pretend that they didn't exist or didn't help? It must make a better story to only include black players in photos. A better story if a movie gets made or anything like that. It's a bad message to send to white people who want to be part of the solution----we don't need your stinkin' support.
7
You're really showing your privilege. Sounds like you're suggesting that whites should "appropriate" a black movement.
1
I believe you misread the situation regarding the participation of "White players" and other White people in this process. I suspect there would have been no particular action taken the Board of Curators if those White players, students, and most notably, Coach Gary Pinkel, had not stood arm in arm with those protesting. And at this point...
There is an open invitation to ALL PEOPLE of good conscience--REGARDLESS OF RACE OR ETHNICITY--to stand up for Freedom, Justice, Equal Protection under the Law, and unfettered access to educational and economic opportunity for all.
There is an open invitation to ALL PEOPLE of good conscience--REGARDLESS OF RACE OR ETHNICITY--to stand up for Freedom, Justice, Equal Protection under the Law, and unfettered access to educational and economic opportunity for all.
Once again Americans lash out at the person who probably protected them more than anyone else just because the political ''visual'' wasn't right. So, what happens when these students, or the way-out leftists, don't like the next one?
Are some Left-edge billionaires funding these protests like they did the Ferguson ones both times? Is Missouri simply the Mickey Mouse state for the time being, until California or Illinois has their bond ratings reduced to junk status?
Are some Left-edge billionaires funding these protests like they did the Ferguson ones both times? Is Missouri simply the Mickey Mouse state for the time being, until California or Illinois has their bond ratings reduced to junk status?
21
Wow, so in your world 'left-edge billionaires' funded the protests in Ferguson? So they weren't protesting because of mistreatment, they were protesting because of money from 'the Left'?
Let me ask you one additional question, do you wear your tinfoil hat 24 hours a day or do you take it off during nap time?
Let me ask you one additional question, do you wear your tinfoil hat 24 hours a day or do you take it off during nap time?
8
Good grief, what a load.
Wolfe did not do anything to explore the charges of racial slurs. *NOTHING* That was his downfall. As university president, he did *nothing* to address problems brought to him. Even Republicans in the state called for him to resign; his ineffectiveness was that obvious.
As for the silly accusation that outside left-wing billionaires are funding the protests, that's rich, coming from the Prop 8 crowd, which received boatloads of money from outside groups, as did the gubernatorial campaign of Scott Walker.
But never mind facts. Clearly, there is no rationalizing with the right wing, especially those from states that grab more from the federal till than what they contribute.
Wolfe did not do anything to explore the charges of racial slurs. *NOTHING* That was his downfall. As university president, he did *nothing* to address problems brought to him. Even Republicans in the state called for him to resign; his ineffectiveness was that obvious.
As for the silly accusation that outside left-wing billionaires are funding the protests, that's rich, coming from the Prop 8 crowd, which received boatloads of money from outside groups, as did the gubernatorial campaign of Scott Walker.
But never mind facts. Clearly, there is no rationalizing with the right wing, especially those from states that grab more from the federal till than what they contribute.
9
"....the person who probably protected them more than anyone else." Evidence?
So in essence the Radical student body is the judge, jury and executioner. What did he do to warrant his resignation? Maybe, that he is white. Modified mob rules.
37
So any time a black person tries to do something about their mistreatment instead of just take it, they're a radical or extremist? Everything you've just said is a weapon used to silence anyone who disagrees with those who have misused their power.
3
Not everytime. But this time.
5
The same mob rule that shuts down the federal government and screams at busloads of scared child refugees from Central America indignantly denounces obscure protests at a single college campus as the scourge of our times.
Hysterical.
Hysterical.
25
Another absurd victory for "meta-intolerance" - Sooner or later they will run out of people or institutions to blame and then what..? Are all of us supposed to become organic farmers, musicians or goat herders?
26
For those who are unaware, Ladera Ranch is a very wealthy subdivision in Orange County, California. As such, this individual's reaction is unsurprising.
9
Ladera Ranch is awesome.
1
I see in this news story a parallel to how the NYT is covering the presidential campaigns. In both cases, the emphasis is on the superficialities, and the secondary story about the story, rather than the primary story itself.
Here, for example, it would have been good to have a fuller account of what the students' grievances were, what the administrivial response to those grievances was, what the faculty who joined in the protests had to say.
This is not good reporting.
Here, for example, it would have been good to have a fuller account of what the students' grievances were, what the administrivial response to those grievances was, what the faculty who joined in the protests had to say.
This is not good reporting.
56
And a discussion of the protesters' manifesto.....
If society would just for once, put down the historical stereotypes of Africans and African-Americans and embrace the "Truth", they will learn that before this country was formed into a Republic, blacks were here. Blacks have fought in every war in America's history with "distinction." By the constitution and Human Rights they have been American citizens. Because some wanted to circumvent the government to exclude them from full citizenship doesn't make it right. Human Dignity is a Matter of Social Permission. And, when, this "dignity" has been denied we see the vestiges of this in unproductive citizens who contribute little to the vibrancy of the countries well-being. It sickens me to see these set backs generation after generation. African Americans are not Second Class Citizens. Africans are not second class citizens of this world. We are a Great People. We have been the Breadbasket of the World; The laborer that built this country and didn't get paid. I fly my flag, and some of my friends wonder why. I read history. I'm aware of those African American men who won more Medal of Honor Awards during the civil war in one battle: Uncommon Valor, A story of Race, Patriotism, and Glory in the Final Battles of the Civil War, by Melvin Claxton/Mark Puls. Out of the 16 Medal of Honors awarded to AA, 14 were one in The Battle of New Market Heights, Sept., 29, 1864. They don't teach that in your history class in high schools across this country.
5
You know what? No kidding.
I cannot understand why, why, why, why black people think that whites are not on their side! Why?
Ok, I get it--there are racists. I get it, I do. But why paint the rest of us the same way? Why gang up on a man whose primary sin appears to be HIS race?
I cannot understand why, why, why, why black people think that whites are not on their side! Why?
Ok, I get it--there are racists. I get it, I do. But why paint the rest of us the same way? Why gang up on a man whose primary sin appears to be HIS race?
7
Other than a few unique instances, blacks did not serve in the military until after WWII. After seeing your statement on this I quit reading your post. The "with distinction" part was absurd.
3
One again, a failure to figure out how to navigate the distinction between institutional and personal racism. This seems to be the biggest stumbling block the naysaying white people have. When change is demanded from an institution, they think it's personal, and when change is demanded from a person, they rail that it's not about the person, it's the system!
If whites are so Charles Murray 'smart', then why can't they think this through?
If whites are so Charles Murray 'smart', then why can't they think this through?
Ostensibly the University of Missouri is willing to ignore protests that require legitimate administrative response and action, tacitly devaluing civil rights issues.
Until that is, its revenue stream from sports is adversely affected.
This is not a victory for the protesters or activists. This is the affirmation that athletics is the mission statement of our academic institutions.
Capitalism in its most grimly pragmatic use.
Until that is, its revenue stream from sports is adversely affected.
This is not a victory for the protesters or activists. This is the affirmation that athletics is the mission statement of our academic institutions.
Capitalism in its most grimly pragmatic use.
8
I am proud of these students using the peaceful and legal means to cause change. They are educated, intelligent, articulate. Decency and an end to harassment is a worthy goal. I'm proud of them.
12
Will you be proud of them when they get you fired for not liking what you say or don't say. I wonder.
5
Honora: have you seen what once-proud American public universities have become? We think they are anything like the places we went to school back when. Legislative budget cuts have raided their resources, doubled average class sizes and tripled tuition, closed essential research programs, and turned residential flagship universities into binge-drinking vo-techs stamping out uneducated graduates without ever writing a term paper or taking an essay exam. Fewer blacks are admitted than 35 years ago and children of the upper-middle class are the dominant species.
1
I guess you can organize, negotiate and strike in the NCAA after all.
4
Not sure what to make out of this and the fact that the issue didn't seem to attract much attention , from the media or university leadership, until the football team went on strike. Perhaps it's a case of winning the battle but losing the war for those students who worked so hard to obtain redress. They got the justice they were seeking but have to confront the fact that the only black students the university seems to be concerned about losing (or failing to attract in the future) are those who can improve their athletic programs. From what it sounds like, difficulties attracting black athletes appeared to be the primary reason the president was pressured to resign. I'm not sure that's progress.
7
There's a long history here. At least as far back as the 1940s (and possibly the 1950s) the State of Missouri used to pay for its black students to go to the University of Illinois (which ironically was considered a better school) in an effort to keep blacks out of the University of Missouri. Yes, that's quite some time ago, but history frequently plays a role in explaining the present...
12
I'm confused. What was he supposed to do that he didn't? What were the demands of the protest other than the president's resignation? How was he to address the issue that would have helped? Are the incidents mentioned in this article really the cause of the protest? The incidents sound gross but pretty random.
Institutional racism is awful and I believe, pretty pervasive, especially in the south, but this is a weird story.
Institutional racism is awful and I believe, pretty pervasive, especially in the south, but this is a weird story.
17
Actually I'm quite surprised that the NYTimes didn't list the demands so I'll try. Don't know if it will get past censors
"We demand that the University of Missouri System President, Tim Wolfe, writes a handwritten apology to the Concerned Student 1-9-5-0 demonstrators and holds a press conference in the Mizzou Student Center reading the letter. In the letter and at the press conference, Tim Wolfe must acknowledge his white male privilege, recognize that systems of oppression exist, and provide a verbal commitment to fulfilling Concerned Student 1-9-5-0 demands. We want Tim Wolfe to admit to his gross negligence, allowing his driver to hit one of the demonstrators, consenting to the physical violence of bystanders, and lastly refusing to intervene when Columbia Police Department used excessive force with demonstrators."
"II. We demand the immediate removal of Tim Wolfe as UM system president. After his removal a new amendment to UM system policies must be established to have all future UM system president and Chancellor positions be selected by a collective of students, staff, and faculty of diverse backgrounds."
"III. We demand that the University of Missouri meets the Legion of Black Collegians' demands that were presented in 1969 for the betterment of the black community."
"We demand that the University of Missouri System President, Tim Wolfe, writes a handwritten apology to the Concerned Student 1-9-5-0 demonstrators and holds a press conference in the Mizzou Student Center reading the letter. In the letter and at the press conference, Tim Wolfe must acknowledge his white male privilege, recognize that systems of oppression exist, and provide a verbal commitment to fulfilling Concerned Student 1-9-5-0 demands. We want Tim Wolfe to admit to his gross negligence, allowing his driver to hit one of the demonstrators, consenting to the physical violence of bystanders, and lastly refusing to intervene when Columbia Police Department used excessive force with demonstrators."
"II. We demand the immediate removal of Tim Wolfe as UM system president. After his removal a new amendment to UM system policies must be established to have all future UM system president and Chancellor positions be selected by a collective of students, staff, and faculty of diverse backgrounds."
"III. We demand that the University of Missouri meets the Legion of Black Collegians' demands that were presented in 1969 for the betterment of the black community."
3
What about demands IV through VIII? Including the demand that 10 percent of hires be African American and the funding of social justice centers run by blacks?
3
He didn't step out of his car when confronted by an angry mob.
3
Now turn that fervor into votes in the ballot box, otherwise you are doomed to a future much the same.
8
I wish students would do this stuff when we're fighting illegal wars and droning children. Basically, destabilizing the entire world and ruining the MILLIONS of families. Sometimes I think bigger priorities are forgotten about...But good for them nonetheless.
8
Pure and simple: Money talks. A 1 million dollar fine made then difference here.
6
I've been hearing about and following the news story all day. I wish the NYT would have interviewed some of the black students and given us outsiders a clearer picture of exactly what they wanted/expected Mr. Wolfe to say or do. I get that they were angry/frustrated with incidents that had occurred on campus but don't understand and I'm not sure Mr. Wolfe does either what their collective expectations were. I only say this because unless someone is able to articulate this more clearly, i don't hold out much hope for the success of their next president.
17
Just from reading article alone: Not addressing their concerns, dodging them, putting off campus wide dialogues with some promise.of 'inclusion' classes, etc... He should have been a leader in taking these issues on with some alacrity considering the distress of students.
5
Football and money is really what made this guy quit but whatever, I'll take it.
I'm biracial, very light skinned. No one would look at me and say Black. But I know that I *am* Black. I also know that I have white privilege. My own father told me a few weeks ago that he felt uncomfortable going to my mother-in-law's funeral because he would be the only Black person there (besides me).
That really struck me. We are not at a place in this nation where Black folks feel totally comfortable in white spaces. Where we are still a divided America.
That means Black folks need to continue to rise up because WE BELONG in Missouri, we BELONG on the football team and we will not tolerate RACISM.
I'm biracial, very light skinned. No one would look at me and say Black. But I know that I *am* Black. I also know that I have white privilege. My own father told me a few weeks ago that he felt uncomfortable going to my mother-in-law's funeral because he would be the only Black person there (besides me).
That really struck me. We are not at a place in this nation where Black folks feel totally comfortable in white spaces. Where we are still a divided America.
That means Black folks need to continue to rise up because WE BELONG in Missouri, we BELONG on the football team and we will not tolerate RACISM.
11
What you say is very true, but it must also be understood that we are not at a place in this nation where White (note capitalization, with respect, your omission of same is worthy of note) folks feel totally comfortable in Black spaces either. One hand washes the other.
2
Belong on the football team. I think most of the football team is black? What is your point exactly.
3
So Bob R says Whites are the ones in need of accommodation?
How sad that one man takes the fall for his perceived inaction. Perhaps the only thing even more sad is the university's most public figure -- the football coach -- not speaking out over the past year. His decision to stand in solidarity with his players would have appeared more noble if he spent any time over the past year speaking out against the problem. In hindsight, it appears as nothing more than trying to save himself.
9
Why is this sad? He was part of the system and knew full well what he represented. He did not address their concerns in a meaningful, significant way. We have watched the firestorm of hatred and racism unleashed again and rise of bigotry, ugliness wholesale in society, and these kids are suffering. Je suis Missouri students!
How ironic that threat of a million bucks to an institution with its own unique history of racism should be the tipping point. Follow the money.
7
Right now I'm in the Atlantic approaching the coast of Tenerife. This is a 50 day trans-Atlantic cruise. The cruisers are mostly seniors, white, very well to do, upper middle class Americans. There are no African Americans on board save 2. The other 1198 persons are pure white. At the dinner tables we often exchange views and opinions of world events. Almost to man (and woman) the venom that is directed at black Americans is endless. Even when there are no blacks, whites hate them ever more. The whites decry welfare, housing subsidies, food stamps and women who have children out of wedlock. They also decry the flood of immigrants that are overwhelming Los Angeles and now San Francisco. But the greatest hatred is reserved for blacks. I've never seen so much overt racism and deep hatred openly expressed.
America is changing but some Americans haven't changed. They and their children continue to practice the deep racism that lurks just below the surface of many white enclaves. The gated communities of America that have sprung up in Florida, California and Arizona are not exceptions. They are becoming ever more prevalent. While the complaints of blacks are real and legitimate the tragic side story is so are the complaints of many whites. They don't want to live in fear of black crime. No, it's not just and its certainly not politically correct. The white people on this cruise sincerely believe they're earned the right to be here. Blacks, they feel, have not earned it.
America is changing but some Americans haven't changed. They and their children continue to practice the deep racism that lurks just below the surface of many white enclaves. The gated communities of America that have sprung up in Florida, California and Arizona are not exceptions. They are becoming ever more prevalent. While the complaints of blacks are real and legitimate the tragic side story is so are the complaints of many whites. They don't want to live in fear of black crime. No, it's not just and its certainly not politically correct. The white people on this cruise sincerely believe they're earned the right to be here. Blacks, they feel, have not earned it.
13
Your post reminded me of an upscale vacation I went on a few years ago with a bunch of seniors (I'm in my early 50s). I had to deal with racism and anti-Semitism from someone who didn't know they were talking to a (light skinned) Black Jew. I'm sure I would have heard anti-gay comments if this particular woman hadn't just found out I was queer. To be fair, this was coming from just one woman but that didn't make it right. The next day, I had to hear about her complaining why her cleaning woman didn't speak English. Well, when was the last time she spoke Spanish? Someone definitely packed their racism on vacation.
Racism is alive and well in America.
Racism is alive and well in America.
1
I'd be curious to see the itinerary because there are very few 50 day TAs.
2
Sounds like judgmental anger is doing quite well, too, Deb.
3
A salute to Mr. Wolfe for being the ONLY racist to acknowledge his short comings and resign. In Ferguson they still think they did nothing wrong and are being picked on. Missouri has become more like Mississippi and unwilling to change for the most part. In a state where ALL the big pharma is located they have the worst school system in the country.
4
joe hall, keep in mind that Missouri's state government is largely republican so resistance to change emanates from Jefferson City. However, both St. Louis city and county are more progressive and are working toward solutions.
To clarify, I believe you mean Mississippi has the worst school system in the country, not Missouri.
To clarify, I believe you mean Mississippi has the worst school system in the country, not Missouri.
2
Mary: the governor is a Democrat.
2
I found the video with the president of the Missouri Students Association insightful. When asked about systematic oppression, his biggest complaint is that the history of minorities is not discussed frequently enough. Fair enough. But if he thinks that is systematic oppression, then I must have grown up in a prison camp.
18
The strange thing is that the striking football players could easily be replaced with student athletes willing to play without scholarships. The players wouldn’t be as good, but why would that matter? It’s a game. College athletics generate millions of dollars in revenue, but also generate millions of dollars in expenses. Missouri was one of only 20 Football Bowl Subdivision athletic departments with greater revenues than expenses during 2013, according to the NCAA. But this was because the football team went 12-2 in 2013 after leaving the Big 12 and joining the SEC after decades of losing seasons in the Big 12. None of the FBS schools would cover expenses if the cost of building and renovating football stadiums, basketball arenas and other athletic facilities were counted against athletic budgets. The Missouri Athletic Department reported a 2014 “profit” of $3.5 million after decades of multi-million dollar loses in the Big 12, but Missouri’s outstanding athletic debt increased 255 percent — from $22,839,576 to $81,268,862 — according to the Kansas City Star. Missouri athletics was able to report a $3.5 profit only because it received $1.5 million from the university’s general operating fund, $20 million from donations that could have gone to scholastic programs, and a $21.8 million payout from the SEC, based mostly on revenue generated by the University of Alabama football team. Still, athletic departments have more clout than academic departments.
5
Perhaps if you had been paying attention to these issues that have been going on at UM, other campuses across the country, and in our cities for the past year, you wouldn't be so outraged and ignorant of why UM's students, staff AND faculty banded together to demand the president's resignation. It wasn't one or two incidents, it isn't one college campus; it's the kind of harassment black people and other minorities face daily. Anger and activism have been building for months. AS for Planned Parenthood, UM ended their contracts with the women's health organization based on false allegations by anti-choice extremists. Are the students upset? You bet they are! They are paying a high price for their education and they deserve an engaged administration.
15
Yeah, but there's a state law that says they cannot deal with PP. Gov. Nixon signed it.
3
Glad to see the resignation of the Missouri System President. I heard his "statement" about these issues, which could have been written by an accountant. This person was the head of a major university system in a major state, and couldn't say that these kinds of racist incidents would not be tolerated at an institution of higher education. He is absolutely correct, now, that his response was "inadequate." How much was the University system paying him to be inadequate? He was "managing" the university, not leading it.
12
The greatest way to combat racial, ethnic and religious hatred in America is to succeed in spite of it. To put the pressure on a university to fire a hapless individual no more responsible for racism on campus than a broken screw may satisfy some, but it achieves nothing. My advice to black students at Mizzou and across the nation is this: work hard, get smart, make lots of money, be judged a success by any and all means possible and prove the racists of the world wrong. And show them in an obvious way that you are the better person.
21
The fact is black folks do 'work hard, get smart, make lots of money, are judged a success' but are still faced with systematic oppression and racism. That's why it's called white supremacy!
6
And above all else, once educated and successful, realize where it was that you came from and attempt to right the wrongs you encountered.
1
Ridiculous! It is up to ALL OF US to fight the sickness and ugliness and hatred of racism. No one should encounter this kind of hate, nor can people succeed in such a system. Ask how Catholic Irish fared against systemic discrimination, or the Native American Indians. Justice, fairness, kindness, decency is not a carrot to reward a few, but a basic human right in a just society. We as a society have allowed the rise of racist demagogues to go unchallenged assuming it would go away but the noise and violence has gotten louder and bloodied! We must stop it, All of us, now.
2
Now that the university president has resigned, I look forward to the new Mizzou U where there will be no more discriminatory behavior and everyone will get along in sweet and loving harmony. As if. But just how was it that the president was responsible for the ugly behavior of ignorant and bigoted (and likely drunken) adolescents? By not reacting soon enough and strong enough against such student behavior? Perhaps. Institutional leaders are supposed to weather rough water. It's in their job description and why they're paid well. Wolfe should have been leading those miscreants right off the campus. Through the use of his well-trained staff. A zero-tolerance policy. But it is interesting to now see as exposed the self-interest of various groups that would be adversely affected if he would have stayed. Classic fall-guy that likely won't change anything at the school. And this bodes very bad for the future across the schools of this country when a small, unhappy group can take-down admin.
21
Such a good point!
1
Small unhappy group? Ridiculous! They have real greivences you from your chair are not suffering. They have managed to gather significant support, but I guess you object to that and their success! The admin had him walk the plank...they didn't have too.
I lived in Columbia during the 1970s, and graduated from Hickman High School there in 1980. I remember the town as a pleasant place to live for middle class whites like myself. But life didn't appear as pleasant for the substantial black minority. This story reminded me of the sophomore slave auction at the high school. Yes, you read that correctly. It was a fund raiser in which students bid to buy the services of a sophomore as a "slave" for a day. I don't recall any black students taking part. That alone should have given everyone involved pause. But it didn't seem controversial, at least not to white people. To a reader born in, say, 1990, it must sound like I'm talking about the distant past. But it isn't past. This memory helps me to understand and share the outrage of the protesting student activists at Mizzou.
177
I hadn't thought about it in years, but we had "slave" auctions at my high school in Nebraska in the mid-70s.
3
My high school had the same kind of "slave" auctions in high school. It was a tradition of the Latin Club. Girls in the club would bid on cute boys dressed in togas. It was considered a harmless way to raise money for the club. How times have changed.
2
" I don't recall any black students taking part. That alone should have given everyone involved pause."
Are you laboring under the misconception that only blacks have been slaves?
Are you laboring under the misconception that only blacks have been slaves?
2
This is a dangerous precedent. Forcing out the university president this quickly based on such a broad base of loosely coupled accusations is inappropriate. This is what social media can do and lead to group think. It's not really clear if he has really faltered, could have done some things better, or is being blamed for issues outside of his control. More time is needed to assess his culpability and to make a judgement whether he should stay or go. What happens if a university president needs to make a tough choice, and by definition alienates a constituency.
23
Truth is stranger than fiction. I am sure that there will be a follow up on this because out of context this makes it impossible to draw any valid conclusions.
12
What does it say about our school system that "football" is the "decider" rather than academics ?
20
Advertising revenue$, is what it says.
7
C'mon now - football, rather than academics, has been the decider at these kinds of schools for decades!
4
The racist actions are at Mizzou are a sorry statement. But the outspoken protests by the football team are heartening. And, based on the pictures printed and a few accounts, it appears that some white players joined their black teammates. What the anti-football crowd forgets is that the sport promotes racial mixing, probably above all others. At a school like Missouri, football is a significant force for racial understanding, which helps to put the yahoos in their place. In a lot of effete schools without a prominent football program, the practice seems to be whites at one table, blacks at another. There is no overt racism. But there isn't much mixing. Bottom line, to the extent that there is mixing in college, football is a primary catalyst. While football players seldom stand out for academic excellence, they tend to make up for that in promoting racial understanding. Those who see colleges as ivory towers lead the anti-football crusade. But they miss another important mission of our colleges -- mixing those from different backgrounds and graduating, not only scholars, but better people.
59
Don't forget that this is the same team that wholly supported Michael Sam when he came out as the first openly gay football player on a Division 1 football team. It's somewhat ironic that the football team at any D1, let alone a SEC, school is leading the way on civil rights.
1
Thanks for this thoughtful post. I admire the students and keep thinking, as I read comment after comment denigrating their actions and suggesting they just shut up and play football or lose their scholarships, that some of the players might actually be there most of all to get a college degree and advance in life, and that football skill is how they're doing so. Like the hunger striker, these young people risked a lot. What they're doing matters. Some of these kids are going to die in foreign wars. It's a given. Who are we to tell them to just shut up and play football?
1
I am a vocal opponent of big time football for a whole host of reasons, but you make a reasoned and articulate case for the good it is capable of producing. Thank you for making me think differently and not just camp on my own beliefs.
1
There are 2 very disturbing realizations from this story. One of them is not that numerous racial issues were ignored for many months; that's almost to be expected.
Issue 1 is that very few people outside of Columbia would know this was happening and nothing would have been done if the football team did not threaten to forfeit. It was the loss of $1 Million and the attendant bad publicity that caused the resignation and hopefully will lead to changes.
Issue 2 is how can anyone justify a $3.6 Million salary for a football coach at a public university? Sports culture in this country is out of control. Here is one of the very few examples of athletes and their coach standing together to promote a societal good. Otherwise sports are just a modern version of "Bread and Circuses" (except the government doesn't provide enough bread).
Issue 1 is that very few people outside of Columbia would know this was happening and nothing would have been done if the football team did not threaten to forfeit. It was the loss of $1 Million and the attendant bad publicity that caused the resignation and hopefully will lead to changes.
Issue 2 is how can anyone justify a $3.6 Million salary for a football coach at a public university? Sports culture in this country is out of control. Here is one of the very few examples of athletes and their coach standing together to promote a societal good. Otherwise sports are just a modern version of "Bread and Circuses" (except the government doesn't provide enough bread).
18
I understand Wolfe had no business being a President of a major university. He has no academic experience and was probably a political appointee. Running a complex organization such a university requires deep understanding of how the system works. Wolfe was caught in front of the head light and he froze. Thankfully he decided to step down.
9
Prof. Cornel West would be a good fit there. And, as Provost only, Prof. Ward Churchill, 1/88th American Indian, unpublished, and over-qualified for stoned Univ. of Coloradans.
2
This gives me goosebumps of the best kind. Hats off to you, football players for embracing your power and using it so well! You are literally worth one million dollars to the University of Missouri. This is likely the most important thing you'll do all season--maybe the most important thing in your college career. Thank you! And congratulations. This is what real men do.
11
Agree 110% !!!!
3
For the undergrads who thought this would be a fun-filled week of sit-ins and skipping classes, surprise! You got what you asked for, so back to class.
5
I hope the football team doesn't mind playing BYU. I think a lot of them are white.
4
I doubt very much that we will find the BYU players shouting racial epithets at the Mizzou team members, so I suspect that the irony you're looking for isn't really there.
3
So sad Wolfe had to learn the hard way that a good actor gets the prize. He failed to understand that racially we live in a hate mobocracy. The second mob drama rears it's ugly head perception control must be immediate and abandon the ship quickly if unsuccessful. Move on quickly while the noise is still a mumble or hopelessly resist it and become a casualty. He stayed too long.
8
Hope he gets a nice FAT severance and laughs all da way to da bank!
3
ken from atlanta:
Are you suggesting that Wolfe was correct in ignoring a swastika made of human feces?
Are you suggesting that Wolfe was correct in ignoring a swastika made of human feces?
3
Today, racism has been solved because the President lost his job because an athlete had a random encounter with a racist.
Justice is served! At least, BLM-SJW version of "justice." Now back to advocating the shooting deaths of cops.
Justice is served! At least, BLM-SJW version of "justice." Now back to advocating the shooting deaths of cops.
18
A good example of a conflation fallacy.
1
This just confirms what I have long said: the true raison d’être of most American state universities is not education, but their sports programs. You get a lot of jocks to go on strike, and a university president promptly resigns.
16
Can't really blame Mr. Wolfe for resigning. Reading the list of demands as well as some of the 'grievances' makes one shake their head at the absurdity of the protest and its supporters. Who would want to be president of an institution that employs, enrolls and enables such people? Good luck to the next president, the mob has been empowered.
24
They are students, and Wolfe has taught them the wrong lesson twice: first by ignoring them and second by backing down in the face of adversity. He is a failure as a university leader, but I'm sure he'll succeed as a Republican politician, probably his next step.
8
Admittedly many commenters don't know the details about the racial incidents that have been going on for some time. The NYT's article didn't discuss the incidents, which I do believe was a mistake. However, I find myself appalled at the number of writers who want to label the protesters "cry babies". Perhaps they would be able to work and live in an environment where they felt marginalized and even unsafe (swastika in human feces drawn next to your room) without a complaint. It's the 21st Century and we are backtracking our way to Selma. I'm shocked and dismayed by the veiled racism I see in these mocking comments. I've taught in a college for over 20 years. The president sets the tone of what is acceptable. It comes with the job. Wolfe wasn't up to the task. I was born and raised in Missouri and attended college in Columbia many years ago. Systemic racism is not a made up excuse. For Heaven's sake you all read the NYT's educate yourselves.
11
Reading through the comments, it seems that the racism isn't so veiled.
4
Or maybe those commenters are informed enough to be aware of the many "hate crime" hoaxes perpetrated at universities in recent years, and would prefer not to jump to conclusions or help hype them up into more than they were. Some of these alleged incidents have absolutely no corroboration.
6
Unless you are going to tell us what the incidents are, we're entitled to draw our own conclusions. Sorry.
4
This is what affirmative action has brought us to. Mob rule without balance
23
Racism did the same over the course of the 20th century when blacks were just simply trying to get an education at state universities across the south. Remember those days when a black man wanted to sit at a counter to get a meal only to be spat on, stomped, and thrown out of the diner because of the color of his skin? Wouldn't you equate that to being a mob? Or what about Selma when that mob of policemen beat and maimed those citizens who were only exercising their constitutional right to free speech when they marched on that bridge? Since you want to equate those particular students to being mob, consider then the foregoing remarks about those mobs who actually perpetrated violence against innocent citizens.
5
I suppose you would call union organizing, protesting, and striking mob rule. Of course until recently that was done primarily by whites.
4
I've seen some 80-year-old photos of well-attended lynchings that are more obvious examples of "mob rule without balance" than anything going on here, and clearly have nothing to do with affirmative action. Perhaps the problem runs a bit deeper than you may realize.
1
This is an important story that includes several of the most critical issues in American life, history and current events. It involves matters of race, class, freedoms of speech and protest, the right to education, and the freedom for any half-literate MBA to run a state-funded institution anyway he pleases, so long as it makes money and the football team wins on Saturday, even if its players can't read letters beyond x and o, and the University president only speaks in $ and nonsense.
9
So you call a college president who holds an MBA "half-literate"?
That tells me you probably work in acedemia and are a tenured elitist at an institution funded by the very people you look down upon.
That tells me you probably work in acedemia and are a tenured elitist at an institution funded by the very people you look down upon.
8
And, go figure, your intuition is wrong!
I'm not against MBA's. Just against people who think money is the meaning of the world and the panacea for things that actually matter. Also against such people holding positions of power in institutions that actually mean something to people and lives.
Sociopaths are great running companies that create meaningless gadgets and manipulate people into thinking they want them. Not so great in leadership positions of institutions that actually benefit society and humanity,
But go ahead and guess again. It's your right!
I'm not against MBA's. Just against people who think money is the meaning of the world and the panacea for things that actually matter. Also against such people holding positions of power in institutions that actually mean something to people and lives.
Sociopaths are great running companies that create meaningless gadgets and manipulate people into thinking they want them. Not so great in leadership positions of institutions that actually benefit society and humanity,
But go ahead and guess again. It's your right!
2
As Lincoln said, a house divided against itself cannot stand. As Gandhi said, the best way to overcome an enemy is to make him your friend. As Jesus said, don't stand against evil.
But it is still your right to be against people who think money is the meaning of the world, to make enemies of them, and to stand against them because you believe that they are in the wrong. How long do you want to keep that up?
But it is still your right to be against people who think money is the meaning of the world, to make enemies of them, and to stand against them because you believe that they are in the wrong. How long do you want to keep that up?
Attention football players and other college athletes. The football team of Missouri has shown the way to get paid with equity. You bring much to universities and colleges--spirit, unity and money. It's time you are properly rewarded.
Some of you may make it professionally and make big money, but other athletes will not and should be paid in the the present for their athletic services, for their university service.
Some of you may make it professionally and make big money, but other athletes will not and should be paid in the the present for their athletic services, for their university service.
7
And now the faculty is calling for the chancellor to go!
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/education/deans-faculty-members-call...
The same day University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe announced his resignation, the deans of nine different MU departments requested the dismissal of Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/education/deans-faculty-members-call...
The same day University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe announced his resignation, the deans of nine different MU departments requested the dismissal of Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin.
2
Next? The Governor, the President, Oprah, Vladimir Putin, Angela Markel ALL OUGHT TO GO!! HOW COULD THEY ALL ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN?
I think I am going to go on a hunger strike to protest the evil eye somoen gave me the other day in the hopes that Governor Christie hears it and resign, No? That's not how it works?
I think I am going to go on a hunger strike to protest the evil eye somoen gave me the other day in the hopes that Governor Christie hears it and resign, No? That's not how it works?
5
Go for it, I support you. In fact, everyone on this board who thinks this was a dumb move on the part of Mizzou, should all hunger strike ASAP.
He just resigned, too. At any other university, to reaction to scandal is to circle the wagons. Student, profs, townies, and politicians have such a huge stake in protecting the rep of their college, defensiveness drives the reaction. It has to be supremely bad -- as in this case -- for all the stakeholders to risk everything and stand up for change.
I didn't believe the college president should step down...until I learned the school athletic program (not playing an upcoming football game) would have cost the school 1 million dollars. Now there's a valid reason to remove the head of a college. A valuable lesson has been learned. Don't like a person in authority? Strike, protest, and have him/her removed. That will settle the matter, until the next time when the process will be repeated.
11
Haha! Steve, The "authority' didn't have to resign, and the football team doesn't have to play. Simple. Where's your problem? Each made their choices. Oh, you're the opposition?
The fact that the football team threatened to strike and had student support seemed to have been the catalyst that forced the resignation of the president of Missouri. Racial incidents and swastika were handled with insensitivity according to the protesters. I wonder if there were Jewish football players at UC Davis the anti Semitic harassment of Jewish students would have caught the imagination of the media. Let's not conflate what has occurred there with anti Zionism either. No student should have to face this type of odious behavior on camput. It appears when activities lie these do occure, there is a lot of talk about freedom of speech and freedom of expression. It leads me to believe when it comes to this sort of bigotry it depends on whose ox is being gored. The student protesters achieved their ends at the University of Missouri and the press was there covering it all. Maybe in future the last acceptable form of bias in this country that seems to unite people of all backgrounds, religions and ethnicitieswill forever disappear. Perhaps.
3
I had to trot this out when Ferguson rioted, and I will trot it out again; people are people, we are not that different. Ask yourself; what kind of consistent abuse of your basic humanity (with no hope of redress) would you tolerate before it got you up off your couch, mad as he#% and to the streets? Would it be endless unprovoked harassment, beatings, fines and incarceration by local police? Would it be regular hostility and racist comments towards you from other students at your college? If your fellow American is telling you, by protesting (or even rioting) "There is a grave injustice here and it has to be addressed now!". Can you not acknowledge that there is a problem? Do you have to demean, attack and disregard a fellow American who is exercising their democratic rights? (And protestors are not what is wrong with America, far from it....just ask the Tea Party; named after a violent political protest.)
13
I guess none of us will know the whole and true story right away. But I did notice one thing, and unless I missed it, his whole staff surrounding the President were all older white people. I didn't see any minorities. They may want to start there. In some situations it's not what people say during controversies, but what they don't say.
8
Pathetic you look at people based on their skin color. Hope one day you learn to judge each person on their merits.
5
It is refreshing that a CEO apologizes, takes responsibility and accepts the consequences by resigning.
11
Yes, Wolfe was sub-par as a university president. Yes, he appears to have been a bit of a corporate right wing tool who was ill suited to his position, for many reasons, but of which these faux grievances are the least.
If was to lose his job, it should have been because of a reasoned process and evaluation of his overall job performance, not in response to to a sudden outburst of mob rule and juvenile Critical Theory sloganeering.
It is not a university president's job to submit to the "demands" of extreme student groups on either the left or right wing fringes, nor is it his job to personally address and police every alleged uncomfortable, drunk, or unfortunate interpersonal interaction between students or between a student and the community.
Crimes, like vandalism, should be punished. Students who harass or abuse others should be expelled and racism denounced.
But this sets a terrible precedent, and teaches students that the mob trumps discussion and due process.
The extreme right wing and extreme left wing in the US are BOTH anti-democratic, anti-civil discourse, and anti-social. They are terrifying.
It is probably good for higher education that Wolfe is no longer a college president. But the means by which it came about, in response to an emotional mob response to unproven, unconnected, and ultimately trivial allegations that had NOTHING to do with the president himself or his job, diminishes the civil foundations of our institutions.
If was to lose his job, it should have been because of a reasoned process and evaluation of his overall job performance, not in response to to a sudden outburst of mob rule and juvenile Critical Theory sloganeering.
It is not a university president's job to submit to the "demands" of extreme student groups on either the left or right wing fringes, nor is it his job to personally address and police every alleged uncomfortable, drunk, or unfortunate interpersonal interaction between students or between a student and the community.
Crimes, like vandalism, should be punished. Students who harass or abuse others should be expelled and racism denounced.
But this sets a terrible precedent, and teaches students that the mob trumps discussion and due process.
The extreme right wing and extreme left wing in the US are BOTH anti-democratic, anti-civil discourse, and anti-social. They are terrifying.
It is probably good for higher education that Wolfe is no longer a college president. But the means by which it came about, in response to an emotional mob response to unproven, unconnected, and ultimately trivial allegations that had NOTHING to do with the president himself or his job, diminishes the civil foundations of our institutions.
272
Sir or Madame, there was far more to this than is indicated by the articles that have made national news, and the problems have existed far longer than was tenable. There was no "mob" as you put it, but peaceful protest from the faculty and students. Students who have worked hard to get into the University of Missouri, only to find themselves regarded as second-class and unworthy once they were on the campus.
1
Well, blocking the car of a university president, negating his freedom of movement, no doubt is an honorable action. Is anyone on that campus exempt from that treatment? Should there be a "trigger warning" about that also?
Who is rushing to take his place, and what scintillating words will s/he bring to bear to change racist hearts and minds? Perhaps s/he will go out on nightly patrol and catch some of these miscreants.
Who is rushing to take his place, and what scintillating words will s/he bring to bear to change racist hearts and minds? Perhaps s/he will go out on nightly patrol and catch some of these miscreants.
2
I don not believe that protests by minorities that address inequality, name calling, threats and insults because of a human's color is "extreme". What is extreme is the lack of tolerance, bigotry and the casual way it is carried out in a publicly funded institution of higher learning. What is extreme is that the loss of $1,000,000 in football revenue was considered a factor in the decision by those in charge.
It is getting late America, do the right thing, do the constitutional thing, and do the christian thing.
It is getting late America, do the right thing, do the constitutional thing, and do the christian thing.
1
The profound racism and second class status being displayed across our nation to our black American citizens has touched a nerve that has been painfully growing raw for decades. To not understand the depth of this pain demonstrates how incredibly bigoted and stupid a white person of today must be. You're tired of complaints of racism? Then stop raising your children like it's the 1950's . ALL students should be treated with respect. Wolfe's last minute apology does not sound genuine at all. Ignore today's young people at your own peril. How long will this last? As long as anyone does not accept that black students should be treated with respect and fairness. Their complaints are not at all minor. Not protecting the civil rights of black students is s very big deal. If the bigots are tired of hearing complaints and wish to deny there is something profoundly wrong, let the bigots leave. They will not be missed.
16
I recall applying for a job and the agency said, never mind they wanted a minority or a woman!
3
I echo what Ken said. When I was working towards my undergraduate, the only biology research jobs at my university for which there were funding required one be part of a student group that required you to be either a minority or female. As a consequence, being a white male, I spent one and a half years working unpaid to gain research experience and working 20-30 hours on the side in retail to support myself. My colleagues who were part of the student group, who were either minorites and/ or female, were able to support themselves with the job I had to work for free for. You can experience second class racial treatment and be white, I have experienced it.
2
And that would have been actionable in court, had it actually happened. Since it didn't, cute fiction.
This seems like an over-reaction to some highly inflammatory accusations. The school is now president-less and filled with students who think they are in charge. What is going on in America, why have the youth become so lacking in respect for authority?
23
Because they were brought up by their Baby Boomer parents to be that way. I have 7 younger siblings born 1951-62, married parents one and all in NJ, and their kids (11 boys, 2 girls) never had a cross word said to them. A nephew just sired his 2nd child and is shacked up, unmarried, shabbily. My sister is mortified, and forgets that she shacked up with a classmate of mine, 8 years older than her, when she was in 12th grade (they're married for 38 years now.) Le plus ca change, Sis.
4
So far, the media has failed to report (assuming they exist) the kind of incidents that would seem to justify the demands of students and faculty for Mr. Wolfe's resignation or dismissal. Perhaps that reporting will be forthcoming.
17
Maybe this is the beginning of something really big.
Think about all the black players in Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, etc. refusing to play until those state's legislatures agree to rescind their recently enacted and racist voter restrictions laws.
Think about all the black players in Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, etc. refusing to play until those state's legislatures agree to rescind their recently enacted and racist voter restrictions laws.
11
Or maybe white people are going to get tired of being held accountable for every bad day that our black brothers and sisters experience.
I am white. I have never ever hurt another black person that I know of......so I would appreciate not being stereotyped or held accountable for the worlds ill. As this man was....
I am white. I have never ever hurt another black person that I know of......so I would appreciate not being stereotyped or held accountable for the worlds ill. As this man was....
5
This is a day I am extremely proud of my black people and the people of all races and gender. It was a peaceful protest that created a positive ending. Let that be a lesson to all young people of today. Do not follow the ones who are seeking non-peaceful ways to get their point across. For all of them have different agendas than what the primary factor is. Black on White, Black on Black, race against race, race against their same race. All should be placed in the same circle. So that we can truly work on clossing that circle entirely.
9
How disappointing: Wolfe got "frustrated" with protesters. Really? Gee, that must have been tough on him.
Now what about the white elites in Missouri getting together and deciding that they need to get their act together. The "Show Me" state is getting shown up on every occasion involving race as, at the very least, insensitive, inert or inept, and unimaginative.
Now what about the white elites in Missouri getting together and deciding that they need to get their act together. The "Show Me" state is getting shown up on every occasion involving race as, at the very least, insensitive, inert or inept, and unimaginative.
11
I love how some of the commenters here deride the students as being "whiners" or "childish" for protesting racism on campus. I wonder how many of these commenters holding this view have actually ever experienced being called a racist name either in school or walking down the street? The university should be the one space in society that we as a society should aspire to - equality, knowledge in the pursuit of a better humanity, and a respect for others based on understanding and appreciation of all our histories in the struggle for a society that lives up to our Constitution. The university should be a place and indeed a refuge of sorts where students should not fear being victims of racist attacks; for if it is not, then what is the purpose of a university?
18
This wasn't a protest - it was a witch hunt.
14
Exactly. I don't believe college students should be coddled, but downplaying and ignoring racism on campus should not and can not be tolerated. The best lesson these students can be taught is that when you stand up for what is right, the situation will change. Thank you to those who stood up for themselves and their fellow students to change a bad situation.
7
When a white person doesn't like the results , it's a witch hunt. Code for dont upset the white folks. Lost in the past & refusing to see that America is not standing up for a large portion of America.
2
The college's loss of its decent president may actually be the wrong event; neither, he, nor any one academic there, could suddenly change a culture of racism that describes Missouri. Consider our history, for instance: The Missouri Compromise; it allowed slavery in this very state.
Personally, my classmate from rural MO was a racist; moreover, whenever I visited K.C., I was well aware that everyone whom I met there was also, as it happened, to be a racist.
So my point is: one university president's departure is a sad and unfortunate attempt to alter an atmosphere (racist) that has described MO for generations. Unfortunately.
Personally, my classmate from rural MO was a racist; moreover, whenever I visited K.C., I was well aware that everyone whom I met there was also, as it happened, to be a racist.
So my point is: one university president's departure is a sad and unfortunate attempt to alter an atmosphere (racist) that has described MO for generations. Unfortunately.
3
With all due respect, I went to Mizzou in the early 1980's. The kinds of incidents happening now would never have gone on while I was there. If any of my classmates held racist views, they were never spoken or acted on. It would not have been tolerated.
4
Where's the response of BYU athletes going on strike as well, so no one would have to pay the million dollar fine? Something is wrong that BYU would stand there and not immediately tell the world that it would back up Mizzou.
2
It wasn't it a million dollar fine. It was one million in lost revenue. BYU sitting out wouldn't do anything to help with that.
1
The list of demands is truly frightening. Have you all read their demands? They are something out of a Stalinist show trial. It is a giant ultimatum replete with demands for public confession to crimes, submission, and then professional execution. The second set of demands is frightening depending on your idea of educational excellence. But the first part - don't see how anyone can defend the approach they are taking -
21
They are students, ages 18-22. They should be encouraged to list their demands, and the adults in their lives (i.e., faculty and administration) should engage with them, no matter how much they disagree. Sitting back and saying "We'll have a full study on this topic by April" is not engagement. This is really part of the university president's job, but someone must have forgotten to tell that to Wolfe. Of course he doesn't have to cave to all their demands; he only needs to acknowledge what's at the root of those demands and take substantive steps toward change. He did not do that.
6
Yes, you are exactly correct. I was appalled at the "demands." Everyone should read them before commenting further on this story,
10
I'm familiar with student movements and their general failure to change the school administration over issues related to education. Somehow, it never occurred to us that the threat to shorten the football season was the most powerful tool. We were foolish, I admit, to ignore the relative salaries of football coaches and academics.
8
While we all hear "follow the money" repeatedly, we are rarely coached as to which "monies" to follow for greatest efficacy.
1
We need to have a national discussion on these topics. This does not appear to be a result of anything Mr. Wolfe did, but he seems to be the recipient of the anger boiling out of Ferguson. It strikes me as sad that everyone wants the issue to go away by not talking about it. It reminds me of when I was at UPENN and Elijah Anderson accused Kathy Edin of "conceptual plagiarism" for only citing "Code of the Street" 11 times instead of 17 times. The faculty was simply "too scared" to tell him that he had lost his mind and gave in to whatever demands he asked for. Elijah -- you lost your mind and "conceptual plagiarism" is merely writing about the same topic as someone else (in this case women not getting married). True change occurs when we discuss our issues and learn to see a new point of view not when we run in fear and plead guilty to crimes never committed.
3
Coward, surrendering to the worst instinct of the mob. This isn't freedom, this isn't liberty it is they stifling of the same. And one we get is more narrative not based in fact but rather imagined victim hood pulling us further apart as a nation.
19
I'm about sick of hearing student protesters referred to as "the mob." This is inexcusable and, yes, blatantly racist. These young people have actually done everything they've been asked to do, everything they learned about in their history and civics classes, and absolutely nothing illegal or uncivil. The "mob" of which you speak includes students and student-athletes, faculty, elected officials, and community activists.
Wolfe obviously didn't have the skills to work with this "mob," and so he's moving on to other pastures, and I doubt he'll have any trouble finding green ones given the amount of right-wing support he's sure to garner. My guess is he'll be running for senator or governor soon enough.
Wolfe obviously didn't have the skills to work with this "mob," and so he's moving on to other pastures, and I doubt he'll have any trouble finding green ones given the amount of right-wing support he's sure to garner. My guess is he'll be running for senator or governor soon enough.
12
As the American colleges sow so shall they reap in this politically correct witch hunt where words trump actions. Regardless of the wisdom or lack thereof of Timothy M. Wolfe in posting the images subjected to Savonarola like scrutiny, the sentence does not fit the crime. The U.S. is not far from destroying itself from decay within via a continual vitriolic intolerance brought on by those whom are not subjected to their own wave of hate.
Tolerance and changing behavior via learning used to be a hallmark of higher education if not a primary purpose. However, that has recently been jettisoned by one mind think. This is a dangerous precedent, and one need only look back to the last mid-century to the destruction that narrow views have affecting mass extermination and ultimate societal destruction.
Tolerance and changing behavior via learning used to be a hallmark of higher education if not a primary purpose. However, that has recently been jettisoned by one mind think. This is a dangerous precedent, and one need only look back to the last mid-century to the destruction that narrow views have affecting mass extermination and ultimate societal destruction.
9
You mean the Vietnam Nam War protests?
6
There are so many problems being exposed here I don't know where to start - except to say to some commenters that if you don't have enough info to know what's going on here, you don't want to know. It's called Racism. It's alive and well and it's everyplace. It's also called HYPOCRISY - using God (and scripture) for cover when your cowardly failure to stand up against injustice. It's also called Gross Miscalculation" when members of the football team finally have enough influence to hit you in where it hurts and finally you must react. It's called Entitlement when you require very little of yourself and expect that will be a"good enough" for the relatively powerless student body. It's called "Inhumane" when you use athletes who leverage their body and brains to entertain you while you line your pockets and those of your rich and powerful friends. Maybe you should just skip the scripture and say "thank you God for allowing this amazing gig last as long as it did."
16
This is exactly what happens when you have a former Blue Chip business executive in charge of a running social institution where when your "constituents" (students, faculty) and 'cash cow" (football team) are fed up with inaction to racial discrimination and tensions. Blaming Jonathan Butler and saying "..this is not, I repeat not the way change should come about." clearly shows complacency and complete lack of pro-activism.
Tim did you really think that just listening and being nice to i.e. Concerned Student 1950 would make the racial tensions go away.
I hope this is a wake-up call to all leaders whether communal, organizational or state leaders. When you hear "Enough Is Enough" it is most likely too late for action.
Tim did you really think that just listening and being nice to i.e. Concerned Student 1950 would make the racial tensions go away.
I hope this is a wake-up call to all leaders whether communal, organizational or state leaders. When you hear "Enough Is Enough" it is most likely too late for action.
6
Why wasn't the 11th paragraph the 2nd? I kept waiting to find out WHY the students were upset, and it took 10 paragraphs to get there.
I applaud the students and feel some empathy for the president, who started at the university in 2012. Unless there's more to his role in the story than this article conveys, the opposition to him doesn't appear to be personal. Nonetheless his symbolic role is important, and the message of the students even more so.
I applaud the students and feel some empathy for the president, who started at the university in 2012. Unless there's more to his role in the story than this article conveys, the opposition to him doesn't appear to be personal. Nonetheless his symbolic role is important, and the message of the students even more so.
2
One bold act, shutting down a leader, alone will only bring scrutiny for those players with ambitions. They may want to think about what potential coach or owner in their future is willing to associate a revolutionary. That, friends, is the false edge on this "terrible swift sword."
3
Mob rule.
This is not what Lincoln meant by "government of the people, by the people, for the people".
Expect more. The government Lincoln sought to preserve will end.
This is not what Lincoln meant by "government of the people, by the people, for the people".
Expect more. The government Lincoln sought to preserve will end.
18
Wolfe is not an elected official and the destiny of the Union does not hinge on his decision to resign. He chose his course of action and this is where it led. This wasn't in those corporate leadership books he read at IBM. So be it. Lincoln also understood that millions of lives would be shattered in order to preserve this union. I hope it doesn't come to that again, don't you? It certainly should not. Listening is definitely better than fighting it out.
6
Sounds like a lot of people don't understand what racism is. Of course anyone whose child was at the receiving end of it, would know what it is! There shouldn't be any tolerance for it on a university campus. There are many behaviors that are wrong and yet not illegal. That's why we need leaders, leaders who know how to respond to wrong cruel behaviors. You condemn it publically for starters. Who would like to step forward and say that calling a black kid the n word isn't cruel and abusive? If you don't think it is, then you don't know what racism is. We understood this at my university campus in 1970! I can only hope that there are a lot of white kids in those tents who can't stomach racist behavior. Some people can't stomach anybody objecting to authority. They say rather vile things that are not worth an ear.
8
I don't think such a strong and unanimous campaign against the university president could come about without a good reason to assume he condoned or dismissed the racist incidents cited. Wolfe was a businessman, not an educator. Maybe that was his problem. The former board chairman praised Wolfe for "focusing limited resources on priorities while reducing or eliminating waste and redundancies". All business. Instead of citing God as his refuge an educator would have used racist incidents as a teaching opportunity about addressing racism and the function of a university as an institution of learning. New policies would have been formed with the participation of concerned students. Before April.
9
Interesting point, and to be fair, racism in business is routinely ignored with no negative consequences.
Perhaps hiring academia's controllers from the corporatocracy is a bad idea.
Perhaps hiring academia's controllers from the corporatocracy is a bad idea.
Would be nice if the NYT would provide some detailed, factual reporting and analysis regarding what the university president is purported to have or not have done that warranted his resignation.
Also have to wonder if the football team would have threatened to boycott their own games if their record right now was 9-0 rather than 4-5. A bit ironic that they're getting all this national attention/praise for threatening to not play when they weren't doing well actually playing.
Also have to wonder if the football team would have threatened to boycott their own games if their record right now was 9-0 rather than 4-5. A bit ironic that they're getting all this national attention/praise for threatening to not play when they weren't doing well actually playing.
20
Let's not overlook the Planned Parenthood angle to this story either.
Once again, politics trumps reality...the University cut ties with Planned Parenthood (over the bogus, discredited, highly edited tapes) and stopped allowing students to train or intern there.
They also cut hospital privileges for Planned Parenthood's doctor - curtailing abortions in Columbia.
Once again, politics trumps reality...the University cut ties with Planned Parenthood (over the bogus, discredited, highly edited tapes) and stopped allowing students to train or intern there.
They also cut hospital privileges for Planned Parenthood's doctor - curtailing abortions in Columbia.
14
Back in the riotous '60's, liberal Father Ted Hesburgh at Notre Dame gave protesters 15 minutes to leave or be expelled. They left. I'm not suggesting that this would be wise or work today, but I am suggesting that President Wolfe should have had more backbone than simply caving in to these unreasonable students.
17
Actually, the only time the rule was violated resulted in (in)famous (take your choice) Notre Dame Ten, who physically prevented other students from holding job interviews with Dow. They were expelled.
1
There is a strong propensity for people in power to downplay concerns and to declare incidents of hatred and violence "isolated." This is just a way to make it all go away. Put enough time into it and people will forget, until the next time.
4
Two points.
1- There is no reason that Universities should have semi-professional football teams, with coaches making salaries an order of magnitude higher than faculty. Ideally, universities should not have football teams at all, since playing football is highly damaging to your brain due to repeated blows to the head. If universities must persist in this archaic barbarism of 19th century bloodsport, do not pay semi-professional "students" with scholarships and other goodies. Sport teams should be merely another student activity, drawn from the regular student body. It completely undermines the integrity of the University as an academic institution to have sporting spectacles in this fashion.
2--This being said, for a University President to not respond in a meaningful way to Racism on campus especially when this school is a stone's throw away from the site of Racially-motivated murder by the Police is quite obviously a fireable offense. Those who think otherwise are doing nothing more than letting their own lack of education show, to say nothing of culture or humanity, Of course it is part of a University president's job to ensure that students are not repeatedly targeted by abuse due to their race during their education at the university. Can you honestly claim otherwise? It is "politically correct" now to oppose swastikas? You must literally be a National Socialist.
3. This man had no business being a University President anywhere in the first place.
1- There is no reason that Universities should have semi-professional football teams, with coaches making salaries an order of magnitude higher than faculty. Ideally, universities should not have football teams at all, since playing football is highly damaging to your brain due to repeated blows to the head. If universities must persist in this archaic barbarism of 19th century bloodsport, do not pay semi-professional "students" with scholarships and other goodies. Sport teams should be merely another student activity, drawn from the regular student body. It completely undermines the integrity of the University as an academic institution to have sporting spectacles in this fashion.
2--This being said, for a University President to not respond in a meaningful way to Racism on campus especially when this school is a stone's throw away from the site of Racially-motivated murder by the Police is quite obviously a fireable offense. Those who think otherwise are doing nothing more than letting their own lack of education show, to say nothing of culture or humanity, Of course it is part of a University president's job to ensure that students are not repeatedly targeted by abuse due to their race during their education at the university. Can you honestly claim otherwise? It is "politically correct" now to oppose swastikas? You must literally be a National Socialist.
3. This man had no business being a University President anywhere in the first place.
8
I attended the University in 1971 with the Vietnam War protests most affecting the students. The University administration then was aware of organized protests and responded with rules and cooperation.But,at that time,minority students were recognized as well with African American studies programs but clearly something went wrong just as it did in Ferguson,Mo.,closer to St.Louis.And if the current leadership was unable to respond in a timely way,then Mr. Wolfe saved a lot of strife in resigning.But,nothing gets solved unless the entire Columbia community is listened to and engages with practical suggestions. Too bad it took this long but Vietnam War protesters did not think the War would end as soon and if you recall,one of the protest leaders is now the Secretary of State,John Kerry.
1
The fact that it was the football team that made the matter of great importance to various U of Missouri stakeholders troubles me. Whose interests take precedence in this university system?
10
Asked and answered long ago, however you're correct that the answer is quite disappointing.
Yes, it's great they stood up to what was happening at the Univ. However, would this have been the case if the Supreme Court hadn't decided that there's no more discrimination? SCOTUS is totally out of touch with racial problems in this country. I'm part of the generation that pushed for integration. This all makes me sick.
7
The systemic issues regarding race and class should be tense. This resignation speaks to the power of football for leverage. Just hope it spreads throughout the SEC, ACC and Big 12. The problem isn't just a few students its the outcomes of lives in terms of life quality, conveniently preordained by the status quo.
Interesting a couple of college Presidents were on CNBC about this today. They remarked that the problem was the President of Missouri's leadership style. How superficial can they be?
Interesting a couple of college Presidents were on CNBC about this today. They remarked that the problem was the President of Missouri's leadership style. How superficial can they be?
4
In these comments today, I am seeing not only readers who are blaming the NYT for their own lack of knowledge regarding what took place before today, but those who fail to look upon (or even know) our own history that is dotted throughout with protests against injustice.
These students are not militant, nor are they a mob. They launched very peaceful protest against the lack of respect for their presence on campus as well as the lack of attentiveness by the administration. Good for them, they did the right thing in the absolutely right way.
These students are not militant, nor are they a mob. They launched very peaceful protest against the lack of respect for their presence on campus as well as the lack of attentiveness by the administration. Good for them, they did the right thing in the absolutely right way.
7
If the University had caved to right-wing pressure about (non)access to birth control, Planned Parenthood services, or abortion, then it opens the door to pressure from other groups, including those protesting here. (Typically, red legislatures are trying to prevent hospitals, including university hospitals, from taking part in the byzantine regulations they are placing on abortion providers.)
However. I am not in Columbia, Missouri, but I do remember student protests of the 1960's, including some that defamed Hubert Humphrey. Can we identify the people who were the alleged perpetrators in the "series of racist incidents"? Without actual evidence, incidents can be exaggerated or misenfabricated. I have seen protesters become a mob, and we all know what kind of justice mobs impose.
However. I am not in Columbia, Missouri, but I do remember student protests of the 1960's, including some that defamed Hubert Humphrey. Can we identify the people who were the alleged perpetrators in the "series of racist incidents"? Without actual evidence, incidents can be exaggerated or misenfabricated. I have seen protesters become a mob, and we all know what kind of justice mobs impose.
4
What message does this send to the disgruntled students? That's my concern with this man's resignation. It's great that the students have a social conscience but racism is the fault of racists not the leaders of institutions where racism persists. So, if a college is supposed to prepare students for society at large then this resignation was wrong. Leaders can be held responsible for the culture at hand to only a certain degree. Mr. Wolfe missed out on an amazing opportunity to address race in this country and instead he caved in to the money interests of the University. Disgraceful.
59
He missed his chance and took himself out of the conversation just the other day when asked by his students to define "systematic oppression," and he said, "...systematic oppression is because you don’t believe that you have the equal opportunity for success." That is about as tone deaf as a leader of his stature can sound in this day and age.
2
Hum. So it's okay for a university president to knowing allow racists to have their way on campus, because there's nothing they can or should do about it?
5
I agree. And what will REALLY change? Like removing him will have about as much effect as removing the Confederate flag. The flag has no place on government buildings I agree. Maybe we should get rid of the "rainbow" flag as well? Since the shooter out west was gay. Fair is fair right?
College football money talks - Mizzou stood to lose $1M if they canceled their next game with BYU.
Well, I guess if you are going to run a university like a business, welcome to business and contracts.
Well, I guess if you are going to run a university like a business, welcome to business and contracts.
4
It had to happen. Now we'll see if the "Curators" are still stuck in their racist, homophobic nineteenth century -- I mean, what's wrong with a White male quarterback with a corporate history running a modern state university, right?
But I think there is real hope in the coming generation -- that's the good news here.
But I think there is real hope in the coming generation -- that's the good news here.
2
How can a University President prevent some red necked hooligans from yelling the "N" word from their pickup trucks? How does the resignation of the University President deter future red necked ignoramuses from yelling the "N" word from their pickup trucks? It appears that civil rights activists think they will make some kind of headway by attacking their friends (See, disruptions of Bernie Sanders speeches). This is counterintuitive to say the least and leaves me scratching my head.
19
Capitulating to the demands of the mob never leads to progress. In this instance the mob had no proof of racial discrimination other than vague unsubstantiated claims. The athletes who declared they would boycott the game should have had their scholarships revoked and been issued a bill for tuition, room and boards should they wish to remain students at the university. And the rest of the race baiters should have been told to get back to class or quite school. Pandora's Box has now been opened for any athlete or student unhappy with perceived racial bias on campus.
16
I'm sure the Queen will be overjoyed to hear that the Boston Tea Party led to nought and that the U.S. is still a property of the Crown.
While the UM protesters' claims have merit, the tactics used seem to mirror the Tea Party's scorched earth type of methods. After a point, there was no chance nor desire for meaningful discussion. Dogmatic tirades will not lead us to better governance.
4
Good lord why waste an opportunity to get rid of college football? At U. of Missouri as at far too many other supposed institutions of higher education semi-pro sports have come to dominate campus life & money flows.
Yes it would be nice to return to the epic of true amateur sports, but it ain't going to happen. So let's take advantage of an incident such as this one to stop the obscene expenditure of money on these sports enterprises. Oh, by the way, I wonder how many of the valiantly protesting college football players could really make the grade if their progress at the University just depended on their academic achievements?
Yes it would be nice to return to the epic of true amateur sports, but it ain't going to happen. So let's take advantage of an incident such as this one to stop the obscene expenditure of money on these sports enterprises. Oh, by the way, I wonder how many of the valiantly protesting college football players could really make the grade if their progress at the University just depended on their academic achievements?
4
1950s: Let's get rid of public schools instead of integrate!
2015: Let's get rid of football instead of address racism!
2015: Let's get rid of football instead of address racism!
2
Sorry only, my comment has nothing to do with racism. It has to do with the obscene amount of money that far too many universities spend on sports that are virtually professional rather than on education. Maybe you went to one of those schools since your reading comprehension seems to be lacking.
1
I wish I knew more about what the protests were about. The article doesn't go into much detail. To say that "the university has also seen highly charged clashes over the rights of graduate student teaching assistants, who recently began trying to form a labor union; and over access to abortion and the university’s relationship with Planned Parenthood", doesn't really tell me much. What rights of graduate student teaching assistants? What relationship of the university with Planned Parenthood? And access to abortion? For only once in a long while, I'm disappointed in the NY Times. On another note, it's amazing to me that it took the football players threatening not to play to force the president to resign. What about the other student and faculty protests? Guess they didn't carry as much weight.
9
Actually, the main question is this: what do those other issues have to do with racism? Sounds to me like this protest movement was initiated in response to other issues having nothing to do with racism. Getting no traction, it then shifted its emphasis to supposed "systematic racist oppression" and the stink surrounding that stuck.
2
Good thing they have a football team.
Otherwise the cops would have come in with truncheons.
Way to go. Nice to see humanity win for a change.
Otherwise the cops would have come in with truncheons.
Way to go. Nice to see humanity win for a change.
12
Having now looked at the LATimes article - it seems that there are years of incidents, predating this president, building up to the anguish and fury; it also seems that Wolfe didn't get that he was not a remote "CEO" but actually needed to pay attention to human issues as well as building projects and budgets. It is ironic that, apparently in the face of budget cuts and tuition increases, one of his major projects was a new and expensive stadium; the athletes who bring in income that pays for this expenditure and more were the ones who together had the power to bring the money machine to a standstill.
17
PC really has run amok. A handful of football players and agitators threaten to boycott football game participation and other assorted mayhem if the President of the University does not resign. He gives in to their demands.
He should have called their bluff and told them if they don't play they will have to pay their way through college. Pull their scholarships.
I would have liked to see that scenario play out.
He should have called their bluff and told them if they don't play they will have to pay their way through college. Pull their scholarships.
I would have liked to see that scenario play out.
31
That's exactly what they should've done, but of course football comes before academics at schools these days.
I've also noticed that none of my comments are appearing. I must have violated the safe space of these infantile "agitators".
I've also noticed that none of my comments are appearing. I must have violated the safe space of these infantile "agitators".
2
You obviously have no understanding of the role of football in major universities in the United States today. It's all about money, money, and more money, and the fact that a "handful" (more than half the team) of black players wield such power is beautifully ironic. Even more ironic is how a majority of comments in today's NYT reveal just how entrenched racism really is in this country today.
6
Thousands of students, not a handful. Hundreds of faculty. Donor and alumni. Nice but lame attempt to downplay an ugly situation. This was serious.
6
There are many lessons to be learned from this unfortunate incident, but I fear the most profound is that football is more important to the interests (especially financial) of America's universities than academics or just about anything else. Even the resigning President seems to be conceding that. Is this really good for America?
13
$45,000 a year to attend a school that wants to lower academic standards. Read the demands. Mandatory racial awareness curriculum. Increase retention rates of marginalized students. Have President admit his white privilege. All of these efforts will help these students in an increasingly competitive global economy.
21
In due course they will arrange an auto-da-fe for the retiring president, under the arch in St. Louis, with 1000 "students" bused in from Ferguson. Should he fail the test - renouncing racist anathema - he can be drawn and quartered by the local Clydesdales trotted out from Budweiser HQ, and thrown into the river as cross-dressing Joan of Arc's remains were. And all go home happy.
2
$45,000 is more like the tab for elite universities which are private. State universities cost more in the $20,000 area. How does Mo. want to lower academic standards? It also has either the best or one of the best journalism programs.
1
Indeed. None of the things ronnoco listed were actually in the demands. If I could project that well I'd buy a movie theatre and be set for life!
As a baby boomer I took part in demonstrations against the Vietnam War and supported civil rights. As a result, we initiated change. Time for this generation to do the same. Hats off to those at the Univ. of Missouri for thinking more about their education than a means to getting a job.
11
Yeah, great, bravo -so how come 50 years later the problem is still around.
6
Instead protesting, the football team should just shut up and be grateful they are getting a free college education. Most of the minority football players protesting don't deserve what is given to them! Most of the silent majority are sick of hearing how bad the minorities have it in this country. If it's so bad move out!
18
And go where, exactly?
3
What a thoughtless comment.
What do you mean, "move out"? Who are you to deny the rights of other Americans to protest their treatment at a school they support with their tuition, their athletic skills, and their intellects?? Who are you to encourage other US citizens to leave their country rather than demand the civilized treatment that all Americans deserve?
These student have reasons to protest, and peaceful protest is what has brought about better life in the US for all of us. Even violent protest has been necessary. See: Revolution, American. Should early advocates of tax fairness, women's suffrage, civil rights, voting rights, the 40 hr. work week...should they have simply left their country rather than change it for the better? "If you don't like it, leave" is the refuge of the ignorant and privileged. Others have fought for your rights, and I applaud others who struggle for theirs.
What do you mean, "move out"? Who are you to deny the rights of other Americans to protest their treatment at a school they support with their tuition, their athletic skills, and their intellects?? Who are you to encourage other US citizens to leave their country rather than demand the civilized treatment that all Americans deserve?
These student have reasons to protest, and peaceful protest is what has brought about better life in the US for all of us. Even violent protest has been necessary. See: Revolution, American. Should early advocates of tax fairness, women's suffrage, civil rights, voting rights, the 40 hr. work week...should they have simply left their country rather than change it for the better? "If you don't like it, leave" is the refuge of the ignorant and privileged. Others have fought for your rights, and I applaud others who struggle for theirs.
5
I remain under informed about the specific incidents, complaints, and proposed solutions. Now that the President is gone, what now, what's solved? Is this whole matter a campus matter, or is it a local reflection of broader state/regional problems?
10
The pleading of ignorance of why this is an issue or what it means, is being echoed here over and over and over making it a Bloogie repetition. I am very sure that posters saying things like this know excatly what was at stake. The people at Google have spent an enormous amount of time developing the code to help you with your search. So has Bing and Yahoo
1
Miriam,
I was around in 1950, when Wallace stood in the school house door, when MLK marched, and all the rest. I had no problem understanding the issues. However, the University of Missouri is not currently the center of the universe, and one could usurp a lifetime by Googling about the world's abundant problems. Accordingly, I much depend on such as the NYT and other such outlets to help keep me informed. In this instance think they've been a bit slow on the trigger.
I was around in 1950, when Wallace stood in the school house door, when MLK marched, and all the rest. I had no problem understanding the issues. However, the University of Missouri is not currently the center of the universe, and one could usurp a lifetime by Googling about the world's abundant problems. Accordingly, I much depend on such as the NYT and other such outlets to help keep me informed. In this instance think they've been a bit slow on the trigger.
Interesting illustration of the power of money. The students realized that if they held the BYU game hostage, the university would lose $1 million. Every game missed was probably another million.
7
After reading this I still have no idea what is going on or why. It cannot be that the president resigned because he failed to jump when someone yelled a racial slur and drew a swastika? Surely that can't be the whole story, it doesn't make sense.
29
This recent incident, on video, is a great illustration of why Wolfe is unfit for this particular job. He stood in front of cameras, confronting angry black students, and said this:
Student: “What do you think systematic oppression is?”
Wolfe: “Systematic oppression is because you don’t believe that you have the equal opportunity for success."
You can agree or disagree with what he said, but everyone should be able to see that these are the words of someone unfit for this job.
Student: “What do you think systematic oppression is?”
Wolfe: “Systematic oppression is because you don’t believe that you have the equal opportunity for success."
You can agree or disagree with what he said, but everyone should be able to see that these are the words of someone unfit for this job.
2
It's deeply telling that some of the most highly rated comments on this story are those that are sympathetic to the Mizzou president rather than the students protesting racial hostility they have experienced on that campus. These people just don't get it. Their minds are so deeply infected by white supremacy that they are unwilling and unable to see anything beyond their own white experiences and their own white perspectives. If the University administration has demonstrated themselves unwilling and unable to enact policies that encourage a safe, welcoming and productive learning environment for all students regardless of the color of their skin, then the black students, whose money supports the university, are justified to use whatever means available to them to create change. The last week they used peaceful means, and the Missouri will be a better institution because of it.
21
What's deeply troubling is that you think that someone else's opinion should be silenced because it doesn't agree with yours.
5
Michael: As angry as I have felt all day today on behalf of Mr. Wolf, YOURS is the first counter view I can respect.
However.
Here is what I can't get past: their list of demands. Out of everything that was written, I was HORRIFIED to read that number one expected him to essentially apologize for white privilege. I mean, c'mon. If that doesn't smack of reverse racism what does?
Sure he was inept, perhaps. But to lay the full blame of OTHER PEOPLES BEHAVIOR in the context, by the way, of a very red state, and take down one single person and destroy his reputation and career is simply not ok.
I am liberal. I am prochoice, pro affirmative action, about as left as they come. But what makes me a leftie most and foremost is my commitment to fairness and this just smacks of unfair.
And that angers me.
I don't want my white son, to use one example, to be typecast any more than I want your black son to experience the same. Am I so ignorant I don't understand how much more dangers your boy lives with than mine? Of course not- that is equally horrifying to me. BUT--and this is the point---I don't want my boy to be blamed for the world's ills.....
However.
Here is what I can't get past: their list of demands. Out of everything that was written, I was HORRIFIED to read that number one expected him to essentially apologize for white privilege. I mean, c'mon. If that doesn't smack of reverse racism what does?
Sure he was inept, perhaps. But to lay the full blame of OTHER PEOPLES BEHAVIOR in the context, by the way, of a very red state, and take down one single person and destroy his reputation and career is simply not ok.
I am liberal. I am prochoice, pro affirmative action, about as left as they come. But what makes me a leftie most and foremost is my commitment to fairness and this just smacks of unfair.
And that angers me.
I don't want my white son, to use one example, to be typecast any more than I want your black son to experience the same. Am I so ignorant I don't understand how much more dangers your boy lives with than mine? Of course not- that is equally horrifying to me. BUT--and this is the point---I don't want my boy to be blamed for the world's ills.....
If you're viewpoint is that the racist incidents that occurred at the school are perfectly acceptable, you're free to make that point. That seems to be what you're suggesting.
I had thought freedom of thought and expression had died on campuses. It is refreshing to learn that students are interested more than job training.
6
Oh, it didn't die. There are still trigger warnings and speech codes. The students will still be coddled and expect to be sheltered and if they aren't they'll demand the head of the institution resign.
7
There is no "justice" in this story. Let's start from the assumption that the Times' coverage of this incident will be the most sympathetic to the PC student activists of any major mainstream news outlet. The reporters relate 100 percent to a group of students who see "institutional racism, sexism and homophobia" where most people would not see such a pattern. And yet, even the Times can't make any sense out of this. It can offer some vaguely supportive language, and some cliched advice about crisis management. But should Tim Wolfe's career have ended over these random, isolated incidents? The Times' seems to be supporting it, but is unable to explain why? Is this editorial cowardice or just incompetence?
33
While I admire that the athletes have strong beliefs, the cynic in me wonders if the players would have threatened this boycott if their record were 9-0 and not 4-5.
14
Two thoughts: thanks to the football players for getting involved and why did it take involvement by the football players to get some action? I am tired of the dominance of college sports, especially football. This should serve as a wake-up call about the faux importance of sports -- it really is all just about the money.
1
I am sorry that Tim Wolfe resigned because of a bunch of jerks who are seeking nothing but 5 minutes of fame in the media! They should be expelled and those teachers fired.
These kids are there to be taught -- not to dictate.
These kids are there to be taught -- not to dictate.
28
Don't you mean learn?
3
This was not brought about by a "mob" or "thugs" as so many commenters are quick to judge. This was brought about by students, and students have a long, rich history of protest in this country and all over the world. Remember students? They're the young, energetic, idealistic ones who haven't yet been bruised and disillusioned by adulthood like the rest of us who sit on our couches cheering at televisions on Saturday afternoons.
The president of a university must be ready to deal with students and their protests in constructive ways. This one failed.
The president of a university must be ready to deal with students and their protests in constructive ways. This one failed.
13
In China's Cultural Revolution, there was a reason to quail before the Red Guards, i.e., to save one's life. There's no reason to quail before these people.
I would have told them, "I'm not resigning. You don't want to play? Fine. Your football scholarships are rescinded. You can remain, with whatever other scholarships you qualify for, but only if you meet academic standards. We will cancel the rest of the football season. Next year we'll recruit a new football team."
I would have told them, "I'm not resigning. You don't want to play? Fine. Your football scholarships are rescinded. You can remain, with whatever other scholarships you qualify for, but only if you meet academic standards. We will cancel the rest of the football season. Next year we'll recruit a new football team."
28
Nice solution.
1
If that were the actual response, I don't think they'd be able to recruit anyone next year.
2
I am so very, very inspired by this new wave of student activists. Jonathan Butler, Payton Head, and Bree Newsome whose act of bravery by climbing that flag pole in S.C., and ALL THE STUDENTS on our nation's campuses who STRIVE FOR EQUALITY......I salute you. They are truly the WAY SHOWERS of the brave, new world.
9
We don't know which incidents were real or fabricated! Good luck finding someone to take the job of President! It seems to me that ignorant students believe that all slights real or imagined can be taken care of by a magic wand. Not so! Do these students really even want to be in school? I doubt it!
24
Why do people like Mary Kay Klassen assume these students don't want to be in school? Why have they been characterized as undeserving by others?
Why would students fabricate incidents of racism, and why are they doubted by whites? A racist, intimidating environment is terrible for learning. The Taliban does not tolerate women in school at all, which is terrible for their learning. Do we want to be on that spectrum of intolerance? When we allow students of color to contend with a menacing, hateful, university environment, we are saying "it's ok, they are less than I, so what do I care?" Wolfe clearly did not get it, and that's why he's out. He did not quickly announce "this will not be tolerated", and outline the consequences of racist attacks on fellow students. No magic wand required.
I get the impression that white writers of these comments who are hostile to these kids do not see that black students are as American and as deserving of a safe and welcoming learning environment as they are. These kids are supporting their schools with their athletic skills, their tuition, their brains and their family's tax dollars. Many of these students will go on to be far more successful and contribute more to our society than the comment-writers ever will and many will do this with less support from their schools, school leaders and--obviously--the public.
Why would students fabricate incidents of racism, and why are they doubted by whites? A racist, intimidating environment is terrible for learning. The Taliban does not tolerate women in school at all, which is terrible for their learning. Do we want to be on that spectrum of intolerance? When we allow students of color to contend with a menacing, hateful, university environment, we are saying "it's ok, they are less than I, so what do I care?" Wolfe clearly did not get it, and that's why he's out. He did not quickly announce "this will not be tolerated", and outline the consequences of racist attacks on fellow students. No magic wand required.
I get the impression that white writers of these comments who are hostile to these kids do not see that black students are as American and as deserving of a safe and welcoming learning environment as they are. These kids are supporting their schools with their athletic skills, their tuition, their brains and their family's tax dollars. Many of these students will go on to be far more successful and contribute more to our society than the comment-writers ever will and many will do this with less support from their schools, school leaders and--obviously--the public.
4
This is a Division One campus, the athletic department’s budget is huge, and clearly determines policy...yet these are supposed to be institutions of higher learning...not institutions of higher athletics. But hey...use what you know. I hope that other student groups at other universities pay heed to who you need to have on your side in a righteous fight.
2
Seems that some on this string of comments are suggesting that the best way to handle a hunger strike and a football boycott over institutional racism is more racism. But then again, this is about Missouri. I wouldn't expect anything different.
10
Wolfe, who is an MBA with no experience in an educational setting, was trying to run a university as a corporation.
Health care was been ruined by MBAs, who don't know the 1st thing about health care, turning it into a profit making industry. Now Wolfe and others like him are determined to ruin higher education in the same way.
Health care was been ruined by MBAs, who don't know the 1st thing about health care, turning it into a profit making industry. Now Wolfe and others like him are determined to ruin higher education in the same way.
18
I agree that his approach is completely wrong and counterproductive, but what does it have to do with racism? It has to do with the rapacious love of money and completely unregulated capitalism by radical right-wingers and neo-liberal Democrats.
2
Gosh . . . I hope the Red Guards don't find out I have a MBA . . . a third rate one at that.
1
Awful precedent! All the professional victims' groups around the nation will be empowered by this and will demand the resignations of a bunch of University Presidents, who, though, incredibly liberal, are not keen on enacting the utterly ridiculous demands made by delusional adolescents who have no real conception of what genuine bigotry even looks or sounds like.
39
Oh my.... has anyone read the list of demands by the group. I am speechless.... "Tim Wolfe must acknowledge his white male privilege"
I. We demand that the University of Missouri System President, Tim Wolfe, writes a handwritten apology to the Concerned Student 1950 demonstrators and holds a press conference in the Mizzou Student Center reading the letter. In the letter and at the press conference, Tim Wolfe must acknowledge his white male privilege
I. We demand that the University of Missouri System President, Tim Wolfe, writes a handwritten apology to the Concerned Student 1950 demonstrators and holds a press conference in the Mizzou Student Center reading the letter. In the letter and at the press conference, Tim Wolfe must acknowledge his white male privilege
33
So many comments here demanding more information. The info is out there, folks, if you look for it. This is breaking national news only because the football team got involved. Otherwise, the story and surrounding issues would have continued to fester in Missouri as they have for many months (years?).
I don't doubt that the Times and other media will offer reporting, analysis, and commentary on this piece of breaking news in the coming days. My question for everyone blaming "mob rule" and such: will you bother reading those stories when they come out, or will you simply tuck this away in the cozy narrative you keep for stories about racism that you're sure does not exist?
I don't doubt that the Times and other media will offer reporting, analysis, and commentary on this piece of breaking news in the coming days. My question for everyone blaming "mob rule" and such: will you bother reading those stories when they come out, or will you simply tuck this away in the cozy narrative you keep for stories about racism that you're sure does not exist?
10
Those "demanding more information" already know it, they are pretending to shocked. Its all over the right wing blogs right now.
2
They're at least as likely to read subsequent reports and evidence as BLM was after evidence emerged that Michael Brown attacked the police officer who later shot him.
2
This is absolutely terrible news. This "victory" by the protesters will only encourage more agitation, more trumped-up grievances, and more unreasonable demands. Qualified people won't want to serve as university officials, knowing that they will be subject to this blackmail.
This result will make racial peace and harmony more remote than ever. Such a delicious victory, won with hardly a fight, will only whet the protesters' appetite for more.
White students, for their part, will become more alienated. From the point of view of the black protesters, that's a desirable outcome. The protesters want to keep white students as angry as possible, so that there will be more incidents, more grievances, and more demands, in a never-ending cycle.
This result will make racial peace and harmony more remote than ever. Such a delicious victory, won with hardly a fight, will only whet the protesters' appetite for more.
White students, for their part, will become more alienated. From the point of view of the black protesters, that's a desirable outcome. The protesters want to keep white students as angry as possible, so that there will be more incidents, more grievances, and more demands, in a never-ending cycle.
31
So, you're denying that racism exists on the MU campus. It's all trumped up, and that racial harmony will come about if everyone just sits down and shuts up?
2
That's precisely what I said in the 1950s when those agitators came to my town.
5
Always interesting to see how a racist mind works. Thanks for sharing.
1) Who determines what is a "trumped up" grievance? You? The aggrieved party? The government? Very subject obviously, and you make it clear you have no respect for the students' grievances and consider them to be illegitimate. Of course, you probably can't tell me the last time you attended an educational institution were you were publicly and openly subject to racial slurs and epithets.
2) Who determines what's an unreasonable demand?
You seem very concerned with the "alienated" status of white students. Its pretty clear which side your bread is buttered on. I am a white male but I, amazingly!, have the capacity to attempt to put myself in other people's shoes who have different color skin and different life experiences. Apparently you do not, which is why its clear you have no understanding of what happened here today.
1) Who determines what is a "trumped up" grievance? You? The aggrieved party? The government? Very subject obviously, and you make it clear you have no respect for the students' grievances and consider them to be illegitimate. Of course, you probably can't tell me the last time you attended an educational institution were you were publicly and openly subject to racial slurs and epithets.
2) Who determines what's an unreasonable demand?
You seem very concerned with the "alienated" status of white students. Its pretty clear which side your bread is buttered on. I am a white male but I, amazingly!, have the capacity to attempt to put myself in other people's shoes who have different color skin and different life experiences. Apparently you do not, which is why its clear you have no understanding of what happened here today.
5
I don't mean to be cheeky, but I graduated from college when it only cost $25k per year, so clearly I'm rather long in the tooth.
My college president was a reverend and PhD in Philosophy, a fabulous fund-raiser, beloved by faculty, students and alumni. He managed to increase the school's endowment and, for the most part, kept tuition in line--if not lower--than that of similar schools in our conference. He was on the short list for several Ivy-League presidencies, but retired after almost 20 years leading my small liberal arts college in the midwest.
His replacements were adequate managers. But now the board has followed the fashion and hired a financier with an MBA from--I don't know, Chicago?--presumably to increase the school's endowment and keep pace with those of other small liberal arts schools. Not that anyone will notice, but I'm withdrawing my yearly contributions.
Business people argue that colleges need funding to help with all the free education they offer. But in my experience, tuition--like healthcare, Manhattan rent and big pharma profits--only goes in one direction.
Oh, and endowments, too. Sure, there was a glitch there during W.'s inadvertent global market correction, when Harvard's dropped from $60B to $40B. But, really, the only greater constant than the rise of tuition in the last generation is the sinking value and earning potential of a college degree.
Maybe we should drop the financial geniuses.
My college president was a reverend and PhD in Philosophy, a fabulous fund-raiser, beloved by faculty, students and alumni. He managed to increase the school's endowment and, for the most part, kept tuition in line--if not lower--than that of similar schools in our conference. He was on the short list for several Ivy-League presidencies, but retired after almost 20 years leading my small liberal arts college in the midwest.
His replacements were adequate managers. But now the board has followed the fashion and hired a financier with an MBA from--I don't know, Chicago?--presumably to increase the school's endowment and keep pace with those of other small liberal arts schools. Not that anyone will notice, but I'm withdrawing my yearly contributions.
Business people argue that colleges need funding to help with all the free education they offer. But in my experience, tuition--like healthcare, Manhattan rent and big pharma profits--only goes in one direction.
Oh, and endowments, too. Sure, there was a glitch there during W.'s inadvertent global market correction, when Harvard's dropped from $60B to $40B. But, really, the only greater constant than the rise of tuition in the last generation is the sinking value and earning potential of a college degree.
Maybe we should drop the financial geniuses.
13
He has a certificate not an MBA, so Wolfe doesn't even get to blame business faculty
1
Degree, certificate, weekend conference--whatever. It's not the faculty; it's the lack of it.
The MBA is a global bought-and-paid-for system of certifying sociopaths to bleed consumers for the profit of corporations and their interests.
The MBA is a global bought-and-paid-for system of certifying sociopaths to bleed consumers for the profit of corporations and their interests.
2
He's going to need some ice on that burn.
Do you think that any professor can speak against this movement? Do you think that any professor can be critical the power of the mob here? Are any students empowered to give anything other than a liberal response?
This is the danger - the nature of the university alters (and specifically, the liberal arts within the university) when politics of the mob determines university governance.
This is the danger - the nature of the university alters (and specifically, the liberal arts within the university) when politics of the mob determines university governance.
29
Mob? These student government staged a sit in OUTSIDE on the campus. They were 100% within their rights. The time for the president of any college to SPEAK, period, whether for or, as you say, "against" the incidents leading up to this debacle, IS WHEN THE INCIDENT(S) HAPPEN. Mr. Wolfe said he was going to form some committee and get back with them in April of next year. Looks like he turned his back on the student government.
5
When white Berkeley students rage in the streets, it's "youthful hijinks, nothing to see here". When students of color hold a peaceful protest it's a "mob riot".
Nope, no racism here.
/s
Nope, no racism here.
/s
the world will always be full of hatred...its never going to change... I think these drastic measures to gain attention are just going to create even more hate.
16
Yep. Those protesters are pretty hateful. On the contrary, I look and listen to and read about the President of the U of Missouri and I don't see hate.
Seems his principal transgression is that he is a white male. (See above opening line.)
Seems his principal transgression is that he is a white male. (See above opening line.)
5
People called the 1960'same Selman protests "Drastic Measures"
this result coming so quickly, I truly hope that the athletes at other institutions of higher learning start doing the same thing. it makes me sad to see that the revenue decided this outcome. this is the start of a true movement for racial relations to be addressed. cause the powers that are hate stopping a revenue stream. anyway once again cheers for the quick resolution. also thanks for alerting the rest of the nation to start doing the same.
4
It's interesting to see how iphones and smartphones have become the modern day equivalent of throwing stones - what with hurling Tweets and Facebook posts to incite a response instead. Literally, in East Jerusalem and Palestine it's iphone initiated protests are the greatest catalysts; likewise here with the new Black Lives Matters cause, as well as any other where the tech-savvy youth are inspiring one another to do so.
So does this mean one day, Steve Jobs will be listed up there with Mao and Fidel as leaders of revolutions? Maybe just not the same kind of revolution that people originally boasted of.
So does this mean one day, Steve Jobs will be listed up there with Mao and Fidel as leaders of revolutions? Maybe just not the same kind of revolution that people originally boasted of.
1
For those who wish to know why the students and teachers were protesting, refer to this article in Slate: http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/11/08/missouri_football_play...
1
OK. I read it. So all the protesting was because some mental defective smeared a swastika on a wall. No other specifics are mentioned in the article.
3
Can we please hold off on this torrent of comments generated by at best speculative media coverage until all of the facts are in here please? I can understand why the NYT doesn't want to beat to the punch on this or any other story. But it strikes me we need MUCH more information about what did and didn't happen before we render judgments, whether opinions here or on the news pages of the Times?
4
Go read the student's manifesto. That tells a very sad story of reverse racism and scapegoating.
5
I have, in fact, read their manifesto and it offers only one group's point of view. I'm not doubting the veracity of what they claim but I think all the parties involved here should have a chance to put their views forward before outsiders render judgments, whether they are people here railing on or the NYT publishing stories before all of the critical information in.
"There's a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart that you can't take part! You can't even passively take part! And you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus -- and you've got to make it stop! And you've got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it -- that unless you're free the machine will be prevented from working at all!!"
- Excerpt from Mario Savio's Sit-in Address on the Steps of Sproul Hall, UC Berkeley, December 2nd, 1964
- Excerpt from Mario Savio's Sit-in Address on the Steps of Sproul Hall, UC Berkeley, December 2nd, 1964
9
Change comes in three packages: improved, unimproved, and worse. This time pray you don't have a worse game than the one you destroy, again, so things don't get ugly.
1
The political correctness seen here is going to come out as rage in favor of the Republican candidate, especially if Trump.
18
I'm sure it will be, for the tiny minority of angry racist white males (i.e. Trump supporters). I'm sure this event and blacklivesmatter and all the other events that challenge the very old status quo in this country will help get that 2-3% extra percent of agitated angry "I can't believe these uppity blacks!" types to go to the polls and vote for the anger candidate. Thankfully for the rest of us, the angry vote is tiny. Good luck with Trump! I can guarantee you whoever gets elected to President its not going to be an angry foaming-at-the-mouth faux-populist. It will be a centrist moderate type as it almost always is.
3
Just goes to show the power of minority college - and possibly professional - sports athletes;.the threat of loss of scholarships/salaries notwithstanding. Also gives credence to the college players unionization argument that they are defacto professional. Just imagine if all minority student athletes joined in this effort against racism
4
I guess simply being a white male Republican is grounds to be chased out of a job. Bravo to the Libs!
14
I saw a few of the vids----the students complaints are that TIM WOLFE the U of M president should acknowledge his white priveledge?
the guy is supposed to apologize for being WHITE?
wow talk about an articulated complaint of such weighty value.
the issue it seems after further digging is the black students are angry about existing in a DOMINATE WHITE CULTURE on campus only 8% black student population of 35,000.
well TOUGH
ATTEND a BLACK COLLEGE there are many.
university of missouri is a STATE school its not private.
1 young woman said in a vid `we want to bring the whole system down` wow how 1960s anarchic of her.
IRONY alert- the mizzou football team next game is against BYU yes thats right the MORMON football team of which white priveledge is the status quo.
the guy is supposed to apologize for being WHITE?
wow talk about an articulated complaint of such weighty value.
the issue it seems after further digging is the black students are angry about existing in a DOMINATE WHITE CULTURE on campus only 8% black student population of 35,000.
well TOUGH
ATTEND a BLACK COLLEGE there are many.
university of missouri is a STATE school its not private.
1 young woman said in a vid `we want to bring the whole system down` wow how 1960s anarchic of her.
IRONY alert- the mizzou football team next game is against BYU yes thats right the MORMON football team of which white priveledge is the status quo.
28
Perhaps this may reverse the trend to appoint unqualified, non-academics as university presidents and chancellors. They are unfamiliar with campus dynamics or academic leadership. State universities have changed so dramatically from when we went to college -- from massive budget cuts to the disappearance of liberal arts -- that outsiders have too much catch-up challenges to run a storied, sprawling statewide university system. Missouri need to finally break from its Southern-like racist roots. This is not a sad development. It is very hopeful!
8
Next step, browbeat an A out of every professor.
It turns out that our institutions are relatively fragile, particularly given the organizing power of social media. I suspect that it's possible to substantially damage a school in pretty short order. Anyone want to guess whether these kids overplay their hands and give it a shot here? I think I'd be crossing Mizzou off my list about now if I was a high school senior otherwise thinking about going there.
It turns out that our institutions are relatively fragile, particularly given the organizing power of social media. I suspect that it's possible to substantially damage a school in pretty short order. Anyone want to guess whether these kids overplay their hands and give it a shot here? I think I'd be crossing Mizzou off my list about now if I was a high school senior otherwise thinking about going there.
25
Many faculty supported the protesters in calling for Wolfe's resignation. And this did not happen overnight. It's been festering for years. Furthermore, it reminds us of the organizing power of STUDENTS, the same ones who protested Vietnam and marched for Civil Rights. The same ones who stand up and lead righteous protests all over the world.
9
Clearly, the number one priority at the University of Missouri is FOOTBALL. Surely, as the night follows the day the football players on scholarship, said that the President of the entire University System had to go, and they were immediately followed by the professors and the Board of Directors. Missouri is the place to go if your main concern is football, for surely, less than a 100 scholarship students run the University. I would like to know how the quality of their applicants is affected by this in December.
10
Why are the people here who don't understand the situation asking the NYTimes to explain it to them? Why not go do some research yourself and find out what the issues where and the history of the incidents that occurred on campus and the administration's reaction to them? To comment here you have to be connected to the Internet already - go ahead and use it.
3
It's just easier to call everyone a liberal, and bashing the media is the
way to explain away anything that makes some people uncomfortable.
See Dr Carson.
way to explain away anything that makes some people uncomfortable.
See Dr Carson.
4
As a national publication, the onus is on the NYTimes to present a balanced report. These half-stories lend themselves to half-truths and reinforce in their over-simplicity narratives that are already dangerously exaggerated in this country.
1
I have. I have seen zero evidence of the "systematic oppression" that the students were complaining about. There isn't even any hard evidence that the fecal swastika and other racist gestures were perpetrated by the boogeyman (a.k.a. white people). There was an incident where a couple of idiots hurled racist epithets at a black football player. This happens everywhere, both ways. Wolfe was guilty of handling the situation poorly. He didn't know the right buzzwords and didn't play the role of a compassionate figure. Maybe a president of a university should be more refined in response to angry student mobs. Maybe not. Regardless, if this is the new standard by which all people in powerful positions will be judged, lets see that applied across the board, to all races. Right now this standard applies only to white people. Nobody likes to be on the losing end of double standards. Hint hint.
2
The breathtaking racism in many of these comments gives me, a white man, some inkling of what black people have to live with every day.
16
Well Robert, being from Maine, where black people are scarce, you're probably unaccustomed to being the target of microagressions and being viewed as a racist solely on the basis of your skin color.
1
According to the university newspaper ( http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2015/8/26/start-movement-graduate-stu... ), the protesters' original demands had nothing to do with racism. They were protesting cuts in the university healthcare, which were mandated by the IRS as part of the Affordable Care Act. When that didn't get any traction, they made it about racism, which as they know full well gets you anything you want in this country. They should take their complaints to the IRS or, better yet, Obama.
17
In an era when the common complaint is that young people don't seem to care about the world around them, we should applaud these athletes and the student protesters. They are shaping a better world.
Enough is enough.
Enough is enough.
12
So were Mao and Fidel Castro. How did that turn out?
3
Yes. They are shaping a better world, for themselves only. Hardly altruistic. In the process they're advancing their own racist agenda: namely, that all white people are at least implicitly racist in their failure to acknowledge their racism and white privilege. It's a wonderful, uplifting, unifying message.
2
To be perfectly honest I have absolutely no sympathy for him. None at all.
Handling race relations successfully is a bare minimum requirement of the job. The choices are lead or get out of the way, there's no following allowed so it was time for him to go. Poor thing's going to have to go off to the private sector and make hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars now.
Bottom line, he didn't do the job.
Handling race relations successfully is a bare minimum requirement of the job. The choices are lead or get out of the way, there's no following allowed so it was time for him to go. Poor thing's going to have to go off to the private sector and make hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars now.
Bottom line, he didn't do the job.
14
So was he supposed to admit to his white privelege?
5
It's a sad capitulation to "social justice" when not only professors, but even presidents too, must knuckle under to the whims and demands of these world class approval-seeking students. Of course, it's not that the must, but so few have the nerve to stand up for themselves and say no to this.
Look at what the actual demands were -- here's the list: http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/columbiatribune.com/content/...
It reads like something from a Communist brainwashing camp.
All of this goes back to a basic element in psychology. The student learned at a young age, "If I say I'm upset, then people will give me what I want because they are afraid of a lawsuit." And now, you don't even need a suit. Twitter seems to be enough. The students abuse this dynamic to engage in a power grab, even if they need to create a few hoaxes along the way.
Look at what the actual demands were -- here's the list: http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/columbiatribune.com/content/...
It reads like something from a Communist brainwashing camp.
All of this goes back to a basic element in psychology. The student learned at a young age, "If I say I'm upset, then people will give me what I want because they are afraid of a lawsuit." And now, you don't even need a suit. Twitter seems to be enough. The students abuse this dynamic to engage in a power grab, even if they need to create a few hoaxes along the way.
21
white privileged americans have ruined the world. I commend him for coming out of denial of his stupidity towards racism.
2
For all of those who worry that "student power" or the power of football players is the wrong way to correct problems, remember this, please: those who have power use it every day to shape the world around us. They usually do it quietly, behind closed doors. They do so to serve their own interests and those to whom they answer, like boards of directors and those who give large donations. If "we the people" don't push back from time to time, if the people can't have any victories about matters of great concern, then the wheels of power just keep turning in their own way, in their own time, mainly ignoring the problems of those who are out of sight and out of mind.
Students seem to be the purpose of great universities. In fact, they are not. First comes faculty. Next, administrators who must be paid and otherwise taken care of. Then, there is the state legislature, rich donors, influential alumni, etc. Students are the product, like cheese or sausage from a factory. They occasionally must be mollified, but they are not on the radar screen of day to day responsibilities of presidents. Students pass through, hoping for the best but ruled over by the permanent powers who decide things and let the chips fall where they may.
It is only proper that students have a role in influencing how things are being run. They are in training to take on much larger responsibilities in life and major problems, like persistent racism, are a legitimate concern of all.
Students seem to be the purpose of great universities. In fact, they are not. First comes faculty. Next, administrators who must be paid and otherwise taken care of. Then, there is the state legislature, rich donors, influential alumni, etc. Students are the product, like cheese or sausage from a factory. They occasionally must be mollified, but they are not on the radar screen of day to day responsibilities of presidents. Students pass through, hoping for the best but ruled over by the permanent powers who decide things and let the chips fall where they may.
It is only proper that students have a role in influencing how things are being run. They are in training to take on much larger responsibilities in life and major problems, like persistent racism, are a legitimate concern of all.
250
Racism is everybody problem, and it must be dealt with.
2
While I agree with you in general, your order of influence at state universities is wrong. First comes the governor and his appointed university trustees. Then comes the legislature that must pass the university's budget. After those two groups are satisfied, the university must deal with its alumni (read football fans). Next comes the university administration. Only then do we see any influence from faculty and students. Among the student body, the majority usually rule and preserve the order of privilege.
No, faculty do not come first!
1
I can't wait to see how Fox News spins this into an unjust action against the Tim Wolfe that was caused by President Obama.
5
Bravo to the students at Mizzou! I hope that Black athletes at other D1 schools, the NBA and the NFL are paying close attention.
8
This shows the power of demonstrations. Sometimes it is necessary to take to the streets to make change happen.
4
Our schools now teach by example, make enough noise and you can disassemble our institutions.
13
They have always been "disassembled" by lack of equality.
1
There seems to be a meme developing in this comment thread meant to undermine both, the importance and the significance of this issue. As others have observed, it seems that the message some of the commenters are insisting on revolves around the notion that the reported racist and intimidating incidents are not a big deal, and that regardless, the president of the university can hardly be held responsible for these incidents since he's only just one person among others.
Obviously, this line of argument is absurd on its face, but just in case the absurdity doesn't immediately jump out in the eyes of some readers, here's a basic primer on it...
We live in a deeply racist country. Racism an discrimination affects non-whites in a very disproportional manner, on everything from access to education, health care, housing, employment. This is something that has affected the country since its founding and throughout history people of goodwill (of all colors, creeds, and ethnic backgrounds) have been working hard at addressing this endemic problem.
Given this reality, in the face of blatant incidences of racist and intimidating acts no leader can afford to react in a manner that doesn't properly address the severity and seriousness of this situation.
By all accounts, Mr. Wolfe failed that basic test of leadership by reacting in an almost nonchalant manner to very serious and disturbing racist incidents, precipitating a reaction from students and teachers.
Obviously, this line of argument is absurd on its face, but just in case the absurdity doesn't immediately jump out in the eyes of some readers, here's a basic primer on it...
We live in a deeply racist country. Racism an discrimination affects non-whites in a very disproportional manner, on everything from access to education, health care, housing, employment. This is something that has affected the country since its founding and throughout history people of goodwill (of all colors, creeds, and ethnic backgrounds) have been working hard at addressing this endemic problem.
Given this reality, in the face of blatant incidences of racist and intimidating acts no leader can afford to react in a manner that doesn't properly address the severity and seriousness of this situation.
By all accounts, Mr. Wolfe failed that basic test of leadership by reacting in an almost nonchalant manner to very serious and disturbing racist incidents, precipitating a reaction from students and teachers.
11
"We demand that the University of Missouri System President, Tim Wolfe, writes a handwritten apology to the Concerned Student 1-9-5-0 demonstrators and holds a press conference in the Mizzou Student Center reading the letter. In the letter and at the press conference, Tim Wolfe must acknowledge his white male privilege, recognize that systems of oppression exist, and provide a verbal commitment to fulfilling Concerned Student 1-9-5-0 demands. We want Tim Wolfe to admit to his gross negligence, allowing his driver to hit one of the demonstrators, consenting to the physical violence of bystanders, and lastly refusing to intervene when Columbia Police Department used excessive force with demonstrators. "
1. Apologize for what?
2. Why should he be forced to acknowledge his "white privilege"?
3. I heard the car barely tapped the student.
This does not reflect well on the students, sorry. I went into this with a very open mind until I read the facts.
Racism is NEVER RIGHT even if the target is white. For him to have to apologize for perceived wrongs that mostly circle around his skin color is just as bad as anything these kids experienced at the hands of others.
1. Apologize for what?
2. Why should he be forced to acknowledge his "white privilege"?
3. I heard the car barely tapped the student.
This does not reflect well on the students, sorry. I went into this with a very open mind until I read the facts.
Racism is NEVER RIGHT even if the target is white. For him to have to apologize for perceived wrongs that mostly circle around his skin color is just as bad as anything these kids experienced at the hands of others.
31
I agree. Unfortunately, a lot of people seem to support the mob rule...this whole situation is just ridiculous.
4
I suspect this is just the beginning. There will be more calls for resignations. Perhaps some group will demand higher grades, fewer tests, students picking professors and administrators. Ultimately these students will graduate or not. When they are found unqualified to do even the easiest of tasks employers will be forced to keep them or face the firing squad. How this will impact our economy we will soon know. China and Russia are licking their chops as Europe folds and we follow.
17
For those stating that you do not need a background in academia to run a university, you are absolutely wrong. Running a school like a business is a problem. You must be able to fully understand the system you are guiding and have the ability to empathize with the concerns of faculty and students and address the alumni, who are funding partners and standard bearers of an institution's legacy. It shouldn't be lost upon this issue that faculty also walked out. I'm sure it wasn't solely because of this issue. Just like the students weren't being heard, I'm certain the faculty believed they have been ignored far too long as well.
11
I haven't been following this story till now. But the red flags went up in my mind when reading about Mr. Wolfe's business background as well as the board member's applause for the president's reducing the waste and redundancy, and all the rest of that corporatespeak.
Sorry to buy into stereotyping, but a college president with no academic experience doesn't make sense, despite the role today of being the money raiser. A university system is a special entity and deserves a leader who understands that it isn't a widget maker.
Sorry to buy into stereotyping, but a college president with no academic experience doesn't make sense, despite the role today of being the money raiser. A university system is a special entity and deserves a leader who understands that it isn't a widget maker.
About this:
“It is my belief we stopped listening to each other,” Mr. Wolfe said. “We have to respect each other enough to stop yelling at each other and start listening, and quit intimidating each other.”
It seems to me this gets said just after the time when the speaker himself should be taking the lead by listening.
“It is my belief we stopped listening to each other,” Mr. Wolfe said. “We have to respect each other enough to stop yelling at each other and start listening, and quit intimidating each other.”
It seems to me this gets said just after the time when the speaker himself should be taking the lead by listening.
3
Yes, you're right on the mark. And whether in academia, government, business or the media, for that matter, there's not nearly enough listening going on in recent years on matters large and small. Far too much shooting from the hip in public as well as in private plus too many opinions, hypotheses, speculation, rumor-mongering, etc. masquerading as facts. This country has become all about who can shout the loudest and shrillest rules the news cycles of the day. Enough already! Let's get back to listening to and engaging with rather than talking down to each other?
2
And only 92 years have passed since the James Scott lynching. They certainly respond quickly and effectively to racism in Missouri.
3
The rising intolerance of academia and US society is disturbing...we live in an increasingly fascist society where vocal minorities rule with intimidation and fear.
16
Look up fascist. Usually the minorities are the target, not the authorities. Note Republican rhetoric.
1
Those who see this protest as childish and irresponsible fail to apply the rights of free speech, to assemble, and seek redress to all citizens of the U.S. Now, if these students had taken over the president's office, burned down a building or two or met those who offended them with slurs and other actions in the parking lot with weapons -- they would be labeled thugs unworthy of any consideration. Some days one just has to take the "childish & irresponsible" route to achieve redress. Props to these students.
200
Stopping his car in the Homecoming parade, surrounding it, and threatening those in the car, is the essence of Mob Rule by race-crazed thugs. Watts and Newark and Philly showed us that thuggery in 1964 -- a half-century ago.
2
Let them protest in the streets but not on the athletic field. BULLIES all.
Those who think the university has any role whatsoever in addressing racist speech also don't seem to believe in free speech. The university has no right to discourage free speech of any kind, whether protesting or racism.
I see some commenters here are claiming that anyone not in full agreement with the students demands are basically racists.
The anger in the faces of the students is real but that anger was stoked by an administration that lowered itself to foster lies about Ferguson for political gain.
Black lives matter but so does truth.
The anger in the faces of the students is real but that anger was stoked by an administration that lowered itself to foster lies about Ferguson for political gain.
Black lives matter but so does truth.
15
Wolfe wanted to submit everything for study. His fatal flaw was that he had a tin ear. And black students are not the only ones who insist that their University President lead the way in the right direction, rather than taking missteps. Larry Summers resigned for the same reason.
6
Just can't wrap my head around this one, the State of Missoury was always so progressive. Lush Rimbaugh is a member of the Missoury State Hall of Fame, How something like this there??
5
Those who rail against football are missing a point. Only 5-10% of people care about human rights or care about civil liberties. The others care about whatever agenda they want to push -- fossil fuels, religion, guns, racism, PP hate, nepotism, whatever. So what power would students or concerned citizens have to fight the red neck, racist Mizzou legislature or university administration? The statehouse will continue making stupid anti-rights laws, and the Univ Mizzou will continue to enact anti-academic policies. It is only when met with economic consequences that these groups back down.
It is the talent on the football team by which black citizens can get a fair shake. Deny Mizzou the millions of revenue, and suddenly they listen. Did the Dodgers bring up Jackie Robinson as a great statement on human progress? No, they wanted to win baseball games. Did King John sign the Magna Carta because he was a nice guy? No he signed because the Barons threatened his treasury and his resources.
If it weren't for athletics, black students would be powerless. It isn't the desired base for sociological change but it is a start.
It is the talent on the football team by which black citizens can get a fair shake. Deny Mizzou the millions of revenue, and suddenly they listen. Did the Dodgers bring up Jackie Robinson as a great statement on human progress? No, they wanted to win baseball games. Did King John sign the Magna Carta because he was a nice guy? No he signed because the Barons threatened his treasury and his resources.
If it weren't for athletics, black students would be powerless. It isn't the desired base for sociological change but it is a start.
11
Thank you to the commenter that posted a link to the LATimes article! You know, I come to the NYTimes for the news because I expect to learn something about the context of an event so that I may better understand what has transpired. This article really falls short. Thankfully, reporters at the Los Angeles Times have written a thoughtful and well-researched piece. http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-missouri-campus-racism-201...
3
For those outside of academia, I can shed some light on this. The football thing was probably just an excuse.
Mr. Wolfe was hired in 2011. At that time, the majority of the board of trustees would have been appointees of the previous governor, a Republican. By the time 2015 arrived, the trustees were all appointees of the Democrat governor. Now the majority of the trustees were antagonistic, just waiting for an excuse to force his ouster. Without the trustees' support Mr. Wolfe couldn't take the actions necessary to squash the mob. The faculty and student government also despised him; which wouldn't have mattered if he had the trustee's support. But he didn't. So he had to go.
I don't know if Mr. Wolfe did a good job as president or not. However, I am almost entirely opposed to his politics.
That said, I would have preferred if the board would have just been honest and fired him as soon as the Democratic faction had a majority. I despise these political games as they play out in academia. They make a mockery of higher ed.
Mr. Wolfe was hired in 2011. At that time, the majority of the board of trustees would have been appointees of the previous governor, a Republican. By the time 2015 arrived, the trustees were all appointees of the Democrat governor. Now the majority of the trustees were antagonistic, just waiting for an excuse to force his ouster. Without the trustees' support Mr. Wolfe couldn't take the actions necessary to squash the mob. The faculty and student government also despised him; which wouldn't have mattered if he had the trustee's support. But he didn't. So he had to go.
I don't know if Mr. Wolfe did a good job as president or not. However, I am almost entirely opposed to his politics.
That said, I would have preferred if the board would have just been honest and fired him as soon as the Democratic faction had a majority. I despise these political games as they play out in academia. They make a mockery of higher ed.
3
What is truly breathtaking about this development is the power of competitive, violent sports like football to effect political and social change. The only other groups that could wield such power would be the military, the police and doctors who hold life and death power over us. If enough soldiers said, "We won't fight until there are no homeless people in America," if enough police officers said, "We won't step out of our patrol cars until the minimum wage for all workers is raised to $15 an hour", if enough doctors said, "We won't see another patient until every man, woman and child has good health insurance that costs no more than 15% of their income," we would see these reforms enacted almost overnight. Since Congress is deadlocked and any president virtually powerless to do anything to address the injustices, inequities and unmet human needs in our country, maybe it's time these other powerful groups used their power to force politicians and corporations to do the right thing.
5
Honestly? When I first heard about this story, I figured "it" must be really bad if things got to this level. I heard about it in the morning news, so I went searching online for more info. I looked at all the news stories and then, truly intrigued, read the student's manifesto. The more I read, the more I kept digging until I finally realized a startling conclusion:
THIS IS A CASE OF REVERSE DISCRIMINATION.
The man has absolutely done NOTHING wrong. Nothing. But he is a white guy and that's his biggest sin. The first thing they ask for in the manifesto is that the President apologize and acknowledge white privilege.
Listen, I am about as liberal as they come but if someone asked me to apologize for white privilege, I would tell them to take a hike.
These players and their supporters are coming across like a mob of crybabies. Rather than try to put forth their agenda thoughtfully or trying to be part of the solution, these guys are crying victim all the while victimizing another.
BAD. Just plain bad. Way to undermine the cause, folks!
THIS IS A CASE OF REVERSE DISCRIMINATION.
The man has absolutely done NOTHING wrong. Nothing. But he is a white guy and that's his biggest sin. The first thing they ask for in the manifesto is that the President apologize and acknowledge white privilege.
Listen, I am about as liberal as they come but if someone asked me to apologize for white privilege, I would tell them to take a hike.
These players and their supporters are coming across like a mob of crybabies. Rather than try to put forth their agenda thoughtfully or trying to be part of the solution, these guys are crying victim all the while victimizing another.
BAD. Just plain bad. Way to undermine the cause, folks!
24
GWE,
Your concusions regarding this are competly wrong. This has *nothing* to do with 'reverse discrimination' but it does have to do with permitting a culture of hatred to exist on campus. As the President, when notified of the many, many examples of the taunting and name calling and offensive acts by white students, his JOB was to address the issue.
He did not.
That, is why he was forced out; he *chose* to ignore the issue until it impacted HIM personally.
Your concusions regarding this are competly wrong. This has *nothing* to do with 'reverse discrimination' but it does have to do with permitting a culture of hatred to exist on campus. As the President, when notified of the many, many examples of the taunting and name calling and offensive acts by white students, his JOB was to address the issue.
He did not.
That, is why he was forced out; he *chose* to ignore the issue until it impacted HIM personally.
3
It is interesting that he resigned, but he did not give in the many of the demands listed by the football players.
http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/mizzou-football/heres-list-demands-mizz...
So I wonder if they are going to still not play? If they were serious about their demands I would assume Wolfe's resignation is only a small part of it. If not, does that mean that we do not actually need to take protest demands seriously?
http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/mizzou-football/heres-list-demands-mizz...
So I wonder if they are going to still not play? If they were serious about their demands I would assume Wolfe's resignation is only a small part of it. If not, does that mean that we do not actually need to take protest demands seriously?
You wonder how much of the University`s problem is due to white racism and how much is due to black racism. Manipulative Social media inflamed the situtation. It seems likely that the President wasn't the racism problem, he was sacrificed for political expediency.
13
To those of you wondering why the NYT saw fit to exclude the supposed sins committed by President Wolfe, the answer is that there were none. Progressives only want to focus on the agitation, not whether it was justified or not.
There were a few instances, alleged, of individual students using racially charged language towards other students on campus.
Then, this little proto-terrorist group blocked President Wolfge's car during the Homecoming Parade, but didn't rush out of his car to kiss the protester's $300 Air Jordan sneakers.... that really got them mad.
So now here we are. A guy who did nothing wrong has his reputation ruined as our modern day French Revolutionaries claim another head.
There were a few instances, alleged, of individual students using racially charged language towards other students on campus.
Then, this little proto-terrorist group blocked President Wolfge's car during the Homecoming Parade, but didn't rush out of his car to kiss the protester's $300 Air Jordan sneakers.... that really got them mad.
So now here we are. A guy who did nothing wrong has his reputation ruined as our modern day French Revolutionaries claim another head.
21
So, in your opinion, TPierre Changstien, the president of the university gets a 'pass' on addressing real, actual and pervasive racial acts by the white students, and only needs to address the 'black' student's actions, (who, you ironically label "proto terrorist)?
The world will be a better place when people of your age and background have passed from this earth; for much like the supporters of Jim Crow, you simply can not see that you, sir, are in the wrong.
The world will be a better place when people of your age and background have passed from this earth; for much like the supporters of Jim Crow, you simply can not see that you, sir, are in the wrong.
4
If the alleged "hate crimes" are like the other hate crimes on campuses, the investigators will find progressive students behind it. Fake hate crimes are the norm. If you can't find an oppressor, well, invent one.
I would have much more respect for the progressives commenting here if you just admit that witch hunts and Alinsky-style attacks are part of your game.
Own it. Grab your pitchforks and torches, and do what you do best.
I would have much more respect for the progressives commenting here if you just admit that witch hunts and Alinsky-style attacks are part of your game.
Own it. Grab your pitchforks and torches, and do what you do best.
18
It would have been a more interesting story if Mr. Wolfe had taken the football players up on their threat. If they refused to play, cut them from the team and replace them with men who want to play. It worked for Mr. Reagan with the air traffic controllers.
9
I'm sure the university has a few million dollars lying around that they weren't planning on doing anything in particular with.
As forfeiting each of the remaining games in their football schedule would have cost them at least 1 million dollars each. And it's hard to play a football game when you can't field an entire team.
Or a head coach.
As forfeiting each of the remaining games in their football schedule would have cost them at least 1 million dollars each. And it's hard to play a football game when you can't field an entire team.
Or a head coach.
Perhaps the use of scripture by this public official shines light on his method of dealing wuth ALL issues on a public university campus. Such that this is a public university and by nature is attended to by students from around the world. Perhaps this shows his lack of sensitivity towards ALL people whether black, yellow, white, christian, atheist, muslim, etc
1
When colleges accept unqualified applicants in the name of "affirmative action," then they should be prepared to face irrational arguments and ignorant demands from unqualified students.
18
Yes, RHE....for a student to 'demand' an end to racial harassment?...what a concept! How utterly dreadful of them!
4
Apparently, they want the President to correct the fact that black students were not allowed on campus until 1950 and that slaves potentially built most of the buildings on campus. By the way, that is not systematic oppression. It is historical oppression and there is not much that anyone can do about it now. Also, f the library is celebrating its centennial, then how exactly did slaves build it? That is 50 years after slavery was abolished.
11
Let's remove any questions about race from applications and base admissions on merit only and scholarships on merit and need only, not demographics. That's equality. We oppose racism, so will people complain about removing race from the admissions process?
12
I am always amazed when I read the NYT's normally liberal comments section in stories concerning African-Americans, that the racists rise to the top. Sadly, even racists read the NYT. Or to state it more clearly, even people with progressive values can't hide the racism that lurks in their shadows. Assuming black students with unresolved grievances about racial slurs cast at them are whiners is racist.
9
Wrong. It is not racist to insist that facts get examined with a clear eye and a modicum of rational thought and logic.
Are these students right to complain they were harassed? Absolutely. Are they experiencing an undue level of discrimination because of skin color. Absolutely. Does that give them the right to demand someone who has never, ever done anything racist to resign? NO.
It does not.
Two wrongs do not make a right. Asking someone to apologize for "white privilege" is racism, reverse racism, but racism nonetheless.
We all need to be the change we expect. There is no dignity in a group protest if that protest is a thinly veiled mob on a witch hunt.
Are these students right to complain they were harassed? Absolutely. Are they experiencing an undue level of discrimination because of skin color. Absolutely. Does that give them the right to demand someone who has never, ever done anything racist to resign? NO.
It does not.
Two wrongs do not make a right. Asking someone to apologize for "white privilege" is racism, reverse racism, but racism nonetheless.
We all need to be the change we expect. There is no dignity in a group protest if that protest is a thinly veiled mob on a witch hunt.
5
This is pure appeasement and a weak cave-in to blatant extortion. The hypocrisy here is that college athletics is by far the biggest mechanism of extortion for inner city kids. Often they are brought in on scholarships for questionable education so that they can risk injury to work for free to make millions of dollars for the school. This is what these kids should be protesting, not the fact that the university president won't resign his post because he didn't out of the car surrounded by protesters to hear their grievances. What would Gary do if the fans surrounded his car when he left the parking lot to demand he meet with them and discuss the losing season? The whole situation is preposterous.
12
I hope this success will fuel a trend to get white run institutions to make real changes to colleges and universities across the USA. Football players have a lot of power on campus and the football programs even more so because of the dollars they bring. Many of these talented athletes are black and united can leverage their political power.
5
The best resolution would be to ban competitive college athletics and concentrate on the real reason for college, intellectual development.
3
Racism and intolerance wont be extinguished with this one resignation, but hopefully it sends a message. In all honesty, we need to wait for at least the baby boomers to die off before any real change occurs.
2
Wait for the baby boomers to die: sounds like a plan.
1
Excuse me - I'm a baby boomer and want the same that the Mizzou students want. Don't lump all baby boomers in the same tram!
2
I disagree. As a baby boomer I took part in demonstrations against the Vietnam War and supported civil rights. As a result, we initiated change. Time for this generation to do the same. Hats off to those at the Univ. of Missouri for think more about their education than a means to getting a job.
3
Reading about Pres. Wolfe taking full responsibility for shadowy "crimes" (really non-crimes, since one wonders how he could have prevented or would be responsible for what supposedly had happened) reminded me of the Show Trials and subsequent execution of the old Bolsheviks in the 1930s Soviet Union. That is to say: "political" in the worst sense, making an almost random sacrifice to demonstrate the arbitrary political power of certain actors.
16
If the President doesn't set the tone for zero tolerance of racist abuse on campus, who is supposed to do that? His problem is that of other clueless corporate managers who sweep under the rug discrimination and harassment while focusing on what they think of as the bottom line, then express surprise when those very issues hit the bottom line - and them.
4
If the issue was racism at the University of Missouri - Columbia, the wrong officer was attacked. The President of the University of Missouri system is over four campuses, Columbia, University of Missouri - Kansas City, University of Missouri - St. Louis, and the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Columbia has about 36,000 students, the other three about 40,000 students. The protests seem to be about Columbia. Each of the four campuses is headed by a chancellor and staff. It is their responsibility to manage the social, academic, and cultural aspects of their respective campuses. If the problem is racism, then is should be the Chancellor of the Columbia campus and his staff who should shoulder some of the blame.
They seem to have been exempted, which leads me to think that the ostensible reason, racism, is not what has really driven the protest, rather it is a protest - one old in academia - against an outsider, a non-academic. The protests over financial issues, graduate health coverage and a three percent tuition increase (relative small in todays market), for instance, seem to be the reasons for change. President Wolfe, while perhaps not as understanding of academia as would be best, seems to have been railroaded.
They seem to have been exempted, which leads me to think that the ostensible reason, racism, is not what has really driven the protest, rather it is a protest - one old in academia - against an outsider, a non-academic. The protests over financial issues, graduate health coverage and a three percent tuition increase (relative small in todays market), for instance, seem to be the reasons for change. President Wolfe, while perhaps not as understanding of academia as would be best, seems to have been railroaded.
18
A spineless response to mob rule. I wonder if he simply had no principles or was given a very lucrative deal for throwing his integrity aside.
16
Wow, there is a lot of white male privilege showing in this comment section. People think the protesters are an unruly mob, probably never had to experience the joyous feeling of having made to feel less than human on a daily basis and also to implicitly have to work twice as hard for the same opportunity as a typical comparable white male. When all are treated = then everyone can get to enjoy watching their football games. You cant just go to a football stadium cheer for the team and then treat the non white players with anything less than the dignity all human beings deserve.
21
You do know that "white male privilege" has nothing to do with this right? This guy lost his job BECAUSE he was white and the mob wouldn't rest until they had taken him down. That's reverse racism and it is every bit as intolerant.
7
"white male privilege" = employed, and not in prison.
5
Deadalus:
I challenge you to find ONE example of how Mr. Wolf made students "feel less than human" or expected them to "work twice as hard" or treated "non whites with anything less than dignity."
I challenge you to find ONE example of Mr. Wolf linking race to anyone's performance.
I challenge you to find ONE example of Mr. Wolf scapegoating anyone at that school on the basis of their skin color.
Make no mistake--the racism in THIS incident is against Mr. Wolf. The student manifesto DEMANDED that Mr. Wolf resign and "acknowledge white privilege".
WHAT?I There is no typical white male, just as there is no typical black male, female etc. Underneath the hue of our skin, we are all flawed humans who go to the bathroom and hurt, and pray, and are arrogant, and nice, and jerks, and shy, and mean, and kind in equal measures.
That man, Mr. Wolf, has been the victim of a mob today and the fact his skin color happens to run on the white side doesn't make it any more right.
Sorry. But no.
I challenge you to find ONE example of how Mr. Wolf made students "feel less than human" or expected them to "work twice as hard" or treated "non whites with anything less than dignity."
I challenge you to find ONE example of Mr. Wolf linking race to anyone's performance.
I challenge you to find ONE example of Mr. Wolf scapegoating anyone at that school on the basis of their skin color.
Make no mistake--the racism in THIS incident is against Mr. Wolf. The student manifesto DEMANDED that Mr. Wolf resign and "acknowledge white privilege".
WHAT?I There is no typical white male, just as there is no typical black male, female etc. Underneath the hue of our skin, we are all flawed humans who go to the bathroom and hurt, and pray, and are arrogant, and nice, and jerks, and shy, and mean, and kind in equal measures.
That man, Mr. Wolf, has been the victim of a mob today and the fact his skin color happens to run on the white side doesn't make it any more right.
Sorry. But no.
4
To get a full understanding of what occurred here, readers will have to go to other sources. I suspect that the Times has not provided a more comprehensive version of this story because to do so would disclose just how ludicrous the black activists' case was. A couple of unrelated incidents of name-calling using the n-word, and then the feces/swastika vandalism, which doesn't even have any clear connection to the black students.
Timothy Wolfe was not responsible for these incidents, and appears to be only guilty of being too slow to coddle a group of hyper-sensitive, wailing children, who then proceeded to make "demands," as if they have the slightest clue as to how to run a university. All that happened here is that a group of spoiled, immature "students" blamed the nearest authority figure for the fact that - gasp! - there is racism in America.
Perhaps if they spent more time in class, and less on Twitter and going out on hunger strikes, they might actually learn something, maybe even including that there is a difference between presenting legitimate, actionable grievances in a responsible manner, and throwing temper tantrums when a university president is unable to cure racism in America in one month.
A teachable moment lost.
Timothy Wolfe was not responsible for these incidents, and appears to be only guilty of being too slow to coddle a group of hyper-sensitive, wailing children, who then proceeded to make "demands," as if they have the slightest clue as to how to run a university. All that happened here is that a group of spoiled, immature "students" blamed the nearest authority figure for the fact that - gasp! - there is racism in America.
Perhaps if they spent more time in class, and less on Twitter and going out on hunger strikes, they might actually learn something, maybe even including that there is a difference between presenting legitimate, actionable grievances in a responsible manner, and throwing temper tantrums when a university president is unable to cure racism in America in one month.
A teachable moment lost.
39
Excellent! My thoughts exactly.
4
The "teachable moment" was not lost. Your stereotype-laden, white-supremacist message came through loud and clear!
2
Now that a football team can cause the resignation of a college president, I believe that America has hit rock bottom. You know, if they don't want to play, SO WHAT? Drop football from the college curriculum.
29
bern,
Football is not a college curriculum, it is college money and culture. Curriculum implies that it has something to do with academics. Doing away with football is almost like doing away with half the university. This was a powerful protest.
Football is not a college curriculum, it is college money and culture. Curriculum implies that it has something to do with academics. Doing away with football is almost like doing away with half the university. This was a powerful protest.
1
If you look at their record the team wasn't playing anyway! Even when they were!
2
Shouldn't I expect that an article about such an outcome should include more than "A series of racist incidents in the last few months spurred calls for change" as an explanation of what has caused the student protest, the threat of canceled games, a hunger strike & canceled classes?
There are hyperlinks provided to reactions to the original events, but no further explanation of the genesis. Is this what to expect from journalism these days?
Sorry NYT, John Eligon, Richard Pérez-Peña & Alan Blinder, but that makes for a shoddy article.
There are hyperlinks provided to reactions to the original events, but no further explanation of the genesis. Is this what to expect from journalism these days?
Sorry NYT, John Eligon, Richard Pérez-Peña & Alan Blinder, but that makes for a shoddy article.
29
seriously...is this the best reporting the ny times has to offer....I still do not know what the President did to so enrage the student body that hunger strikes and football boycotts became the order of the day...shouldn't we start with a point of reference as to what has brought us to this point....maybe then we could share a bit of the outrage too...but right now the only rage I have is for this seemingly vapid reporting
35
It seems President Wolfe may have relied too much on the strength of God to solve his issues. He might have acted himself by gathering a handful of dissident leaders, football coach included, and publish an issue list with correction plans in five days. A good business leader could have done this and set a good example for others.
I would like to view the issues reported better in a follow-up article. We might find many other schools have equal or worse situations. I would not mind missing football for a week or forever if racist and other issues get resolved.
I would like to view the issues reported better in a follow-up article. We might find many other schools have equal or worse situations. I would not mind missing football for a week or forever if racist and other issues get resolved.
5
The mob is made up of a bunch of hypersensitive babies. Nothing short of this man's resignation was going to placate them. They have been taught to take maximum offense at any slight, perceived or real.
6
What a poorly written front page breaking news story from the NYT’s. The article was very light on the reasons the president of the university was under fire. I went through the timeline in the link the article provided and saw numerous complaints from the teaching assistants in the graduate programs, something about Planned Parenthood and abortion referrals, campus rape, the Thomas Jefferson statue, a hunger strike, a swastika painted on a wall and people yelling racial slurs. I guess, out of all those things I saw listed, it was the racial slurs that were the most important; especially after the football team threatened to go on strike. That there is already the requisite column from Mr. Rhoden in the sports section, the racial issue is what moved this to breaking news for the NYT’s.
That teaching assistants are close to being indentured servants on college campuses across the country is deserving of a long series of articles in this paper like what you did for nail salon workers. Sadly, all we get is the usual article that emphasizes the demands of some pampered college athletes.
That teaching assistants are close to being indentured servants on college campuses across the country is deserving of a long series of articles in this paper like what you did for nail salon workers. Sadly, all we get is the usual article that emphasizes the demands of some pampered college athletes.
9
My concern is for the young man on the hunger strike. I'm certainly not in Missouri (no way i'd live there) so I don't have the nuts and bolts of what has been going on there, but is just me or did he give far too much power to the ignorant (those yelling slurs, painting swastika's in human excrement) by endangering his life?
1
The comments here reflect the poor writing or editing of this article. There is no information on which people can base the their comments and are left with only their emotion and/or political ideology. Though links are provided, the author and editors should have made efforts to summary the cause of the protest if not itemized what seems to be a series of issues for the grievances. Sad.
17
Democrat agitators are in full election campaign mode but this will help Republicans. When conservatives spend life savings on kid's college tuition, even if it means enrollment in a liberal institution, they expect a better outcome. 'The great society' has matured and it will get worse if not stopped in its tracks. Think this time, before you vote.
7
A great day.
Freedom of thought and expression have no place on a college campus.
Freedom of thought and expression have no place on a college campus.
11
Many comments here show a lack of information or history. Ask Syracuse University if the boycott by African American players in 1970 (yes, 1970) showed the power of athletes to spotlight the need for change. What is needed now is a thoughtful process, not another effort to find easy scapegoats (the whole Greek system or an ignorant one on a campus?). So let that begin and let it lead to real institutional change (like the makeup of the Board of Curators) not an effort to cool current emotions. And in the meantime, many commenters should take the time to investigate the facts.
2
So the University of Missouri has made it clear that muscle power is more important than brain power. Way to go America. Obviously president Wolfe got himself a golden handshake and will now make a fortune giving integrated-race speeches in the Deep South.
12
Let's be clear. It is money that is more important, not muscle.
1
According to our local media, the "racial incidents" included one black student having slurs yelled at him by some guys in a car and a swastika being written in feces on a campus building. How the university president is supposed to be responsible for these individual incidents, I'm not sure.
But I do think it's interesting that the NY Times, like our local media, has decided not to print the student group's actual list of demands. Perhaps it wouldn't shine a positive light on these protestors, who wanted the president to give a "handwritten apology acknowledging his white male privilege and recognizing that systems of oppression exist," among 7 other demands.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/list-of-demands-from-concerned-student-gr...
But I do think it's interesting that the NY Times, like our local media, has decided not to print the student group's actual list of demands. Perhaps it wouldn't shine a positive light on these protestors, who wanted the president to give a "handwritten apology acknowledging his white male privilege and recognizing that systems of oppression exist," among 7 other demands.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/list-of-demands-from-concerned-student-gr...
27
I would have quit too. Who needs it? These race aggitators are never satisfied so why deal with it? I wish him well in his new pursuits.
20
Putting aside the substantial issues of on-campus racism and the administration's management (or even recognition) of the growing crisis, this story is a lesson in power, plain and simple. When people unite, they are infinitely more powerful than they are while acting alone. Now, if only the 4 in 10 citizens would remember that fact on election day and, perhaps, we could effect real change in this country and stop bickering about "shiny things."
11
Yes, mobs can have great power and occasionally they can use that power wisely. It appears in this case they used it frivolously.
6
Hmm-- but isn't the football program with its millions more like a super-pac? Would he have resigned if only "ordinary" people had acted?
Not enough information in this article even to form and opinion. All I get from it is that a football team topples a university president, and that that seems to be good.
15
American colleges and universities long ago sold their souls to the NFL and NBA.
They've since run a plantation of unpaid labor entertaining the masses.
Are we not entertained?
So the rich irony of the entertainers bringing the overseers to heel is quite a wonderful thing to see.
Other plantations, er, colleges and universities are quaking in their shoes today.
Excellent!
They've since run a plantation of unpaid labor entertaining the masses.
Are we not entertained?
So the rich irony of the entertainers bringing the overseers to heel is quite a wonderful thing to see.
Other plantations, er, colleges and universities are quaking in their shoes today.
Excellent!
16
On average, at least 60 athletes compete for every one chance to be on that plantation, Dave T.
3
It's a fool's bet.
Young men are suckered into it by coaches, hangers-on, evcen parents.
For shame.
Young men are suckered into it by coaches, hangers-on, evcen parents.
For shame.
The fact that he resigned shows he was not fit for the job.
10
In the southern United States racist bigots are a source of pride and joy, what would shock me would be if none of those people ever did anything despicable on the local college campus. Now that'd be news. How long has it been since there was Klan rally in Missouri ? Can we blame the university president for that too ?
1
That is my point. If he were the right guy for the job he would have stayed the course.
1
Horrendous. Close the football team down anyway now, and address the issues on another level.
17
Sorry to see so many commenters jumping to conclusions about the protests and why they started in the first place. It was a long time coming.
But do any of these people understand that the protesters knew what risks they were taking by their actions - that they had to weigh a big career loss against a gain of what?
Respect. And if not for them, then for the next generation.
But do any of these people understand that the protesters knew what risks they were taking by their actions - that they had to weigh a big career loss against a gain of what?
Respect. And if not for them, then for the next generation.
20
What risk? A team that is 1-5 in the SEC probably doesn't have many pro prospects.
3
What do you think was accomplished here?
2
What went on? What were the racial incidents? What's the relationship for/against Planned Parenthood?
More info, please.
More info, please.
30
I'm astonished that both that the university president found himself in this situation and that so many commenters don't recognize how much this is his own doing. What would it have taken for him (and his p.r. staff) to stay ahead of it? Instead, he downplayed the incidents, refused to condemn the offenders, lost the faith of his constituents, and brought public shame to the university.
There is nothing commendable about his decision to step down. Had he acted like a reasonable president it should never have come to this.
There is nothing commendable about his decision to step down. Had he acted like a reasonable president it should never have come to this.
14
I think this was probably a "you can't fire me; I quit" kind of situation. I'd imagine it was all over as far as the Board of Trustees was concerned, once it hit the national news.
It's fine with me; I think it's accurate to say that handling race relations successfully is a bare minimum part of the job description.
It's fine with me; I think it's accurate to say that handling race relations successfully is a bare minimum part of the job description.
1
What I find so incredible about this is that it could happen at the major University of such a progressive State. I mean Rush Limbaugh is in the Missouri State Hall of Fame - go figure!
9
Yes, they were so unlucky not to have been born in..... Ohio. Home of Kent State.
3
University presidents get fired/ step down on short notice all the time, although the circumstances here are unusual. It is an extremely high paying job (upwards to a million or more is standard for a even small university) in which the president is expected to set a decisive and positive cultural agenda within the school as well as be a bridge between the school and the public. They are most certainly hired as potential crisis managers, and they are expected to handle difficult situations as a matter of course. It is patently clear that this guy wasn't equipped for the position in this fundamental way.
3
According to salary.com, the median salary for a college president is $258,000. According to USA Today, the 121st ranking college football coach makes $360,000. All the average college president need do to make an additional $100,000 per year is abandon his or her Ph.D. and win some games for Good Ole State U.
I join the commentators expressing confusion here. What did the students want him to do that he failed to do? Why were the acts/omissions complained of the fault of the University President? I don't understand why he was made to resign or what he is accepting responsibility for.
42
He's acceptivg responsibility for failing to lead. ;)
2
Those are my thoughts precisely. What message does this send to the disgruntled students? That's my concern with this man's resignation. It's great that the students have a social conscience but racism is the fault of racists not the leaders of institutions where racism persists. So, if a college is supposed to prepare students for society at large then this resignation was wrong. Leaders can be held responsible for the culture at hand to only a certain degree. Mr. Wolfe missed out on an amazing opportunity to address race in this country and instead he caved in to the money interests of the University. Disgraceful.
3
If you click on Jonathan Butler's name the link will take you to his letter in the college's newspaper. Gave me a bit more clarity.
@TCR: Perhaps some have never heard of systemic racism, nor know the impact it has on a person's environment. You know, where for hundreds of years a people were not allowed to get a leg up by owning property, getting an education, running a business, passing an estate on to their children, etc. Even as little ago as the 50's and 60's in America they were lynching people of color, creating laws banning them from voting, dining out, riding a bus, etc. Protests were held to fight the injustice, and people were killed. Even after Brown v Board of Education, systemic racism continued the tradition of underfunded minority education for the most part. After all, who had legacy scholarships? And what children could relocate to the 'burbs? And then we have the war on drugs which truly separated the black from the white disproportionately, as well as fathers from their children. Now, we expect after two or three generations for these same individuals to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, and golly gee, become a rocket scientist. We (those of us expecting this or those of us participating in the systemic racism) ought to at least put computers in the classrooms, if not updated textbooks first.
And, if we are to condemn groups of protesters for fighting injustice and venting their indignation, let us not forget those in Arizona protesting south-of-the-border people of color, or those in the Rockies protesting federal lands & the federal government - they too are a mob protesting.
And, if we are to condemn groups of protesters for fighting injustice and venting their indignation, let us not forget those in Arizona protesting south-of-the-border people of color, or those in the Rockies protesting federal lands & the federal government - they too are a mob protesting.
9
Actually, perhaps ALL of us have heard of systemic racism and recognize its role in establishing persistent patterns of injustice. Perhaps you are too young to have heard of "affirmative action," which was designed almost 50 years to address that precise problem. There is no lack of awareness of the disparate impacts of racism (as well as class discrimination) on how certain of society's privileges are distributed.
But no one has explained how Tim Wolfe was furthering it, or should be held responsible for it. If you have a social problem that you want to address, it's important to come up with solutions that have some rational relationship to the problem. Pressuring one university leader to resign brings nobody any closer to addressing that problem. It is an empty victory that is, itself, an injustice.
But no one has explained how Tim Wolfe was furthering it, or should be held responsible for it. If you have a social problem that you want to address, it's important to come up with solutions that have some rational relationship to the problem. Pressuring one university leader to resign brings nobody any closer to addressing that problem. It is an empty victory that is, itself, an injustice.
2
If a swastika of human feces were found inside a church we'd never stop hearing the end of it.
But find it on a college campus and it's p.c. liberals over-reacting. Again.
The hypocrisy is as reliable as the setting sun.
But find it on a college campus and it's p.c. liberals over-reacting. Again.
The hypocrisy is as reliable as the setting sun.
22
I agree, the tacit acceptance of racism by simply labeling complaints as PC is vile. For that reason alone most if not all of the GOP candidates for president are unfit to serve. They simply let the racist remarks of their fellow candidates go by without a single word of protest.
At least at Mizzou the football team got sick of it- and when D1 Football protests then civilization as we know it is doomed. Usually that is joke but in this case- the bread and circuses approach to politics and race relations fed by zippy sound bites and programmed nonsense has got to stop.
At least at Mizzou the football team got sick of it- and when D1 Football protests then civilization as we know it is doomed. Usually that is joke but in this case- the bread and circuses approach to politics and race relations fed by zippy sound bites and programmed nonsense has got to stop.
I suspect Wolfe was paid a lot to make a claim of taking responsibility for perceived slights he had no control over. Let's admit that Wolfe was bullied out by mod rule of angry students and fearful faculty.
35
Just like the British were bullied by hunger strikers to leave India. Mizzou, like most other flagship universities is deliberately located much too far from all major urban areas. The result is that black pay taxes for mostly whites from high income families to get a heavily subsidized education. Flagship universities like UM are the vehicle for establishing a lifelong career network that perpetuates and increases racial disparity patterns. Higher ed that once was the great leveler under the GI Bill is now the single greatest cause in inequality in the U.S. The "land of opportunities" today offers the lowest intergenerational mobility opportunities of any developed nation.
This farce reminds me about the line of another university president (was it at Missouri or Oklahoma?) who said: "I want to build a University the football team can be proud of."
Or rather it reminds me of the "Cultural Revolution" in China unleashed by Chairman Mao in which children dragged white-bearded professors out of their classrooms and humiliated and tortured them.
I carefully read the earlier story about this case, and I still am in the dark about what the President did that makes him "racially insensitive." Can the Times please enlighten us.
None of this is to defend President Wolfe whose spineless refusal to stand up to this extortion is a disgrace. Apparently the faculty are no better. They are so politically correct that they threw their President under the bus to appease the bullies -- or should I call them 6 foot 6 babies?
How has the idea gotten around that football players have such fragile and delicate psyches that universities must protect them from slurs or (?) swastikas drawn with feces? Of course universities should punish such behavior if it is egregious and unprovoked -- and if the rights of the accused are respected. But no university president can guarantee that there will be no loonies or racists on a campus with 40,000-odd people.
The Missouri football team should be required to toughen up or they should get themselves to a nunnery. For a start I suggest that the football season should be cancelled.
Or rather it reminds me of the "Cultural Revolution" in China unleashed by Chairman Mao in which children dragged white-bearded professors out of their classrooms and humiliated and tortured them.
I carefully read the earlier story about this case, and I still am in the dark about what the President did that makes him "racially insensitive." Can the Times please enlighten us.
None of this is to defend President Wolfe whose spineless refusal to stand up to this extortion is a disgrace. Apparently the faculty are no better. They are so politically correct that they threw their President under the bus to appease the bullies -- or should I call them 6 foot 6 babies?
How has the idea gotten around that football players have such fragile and delicate psyches that universities must protect them from slurs or (?) swastikas drawn with feces? Of course universities should punish such behavior if it is egregious and unprovoked -- and if the rights of the accused are respected. But no university president can guarantee that there will be no loonies or racists on a campus with 40,000-odd people.
The Missouri football team should be required to toughen up or they should get themselves to a nunnery. For a start I suggest that the football season should be cancelled.
47
How are persistent racial slurs and swastikas painted in feces NOT offensive?
2
If you are3 in the dark about what the President did that makes him racially insensitive, you come into the light and recognize what he didn't do. The Problem with American is that too many people prefer to be in the dark and not recognize that institutional racism is alive and well in America. Hats off to the youth that can see this.
I concur. Well put!
Mr. Wolfe took the President's position because of his love for the University. Being as wealthy and accomplished as he is, he certainly didn't need the income nor the aggravation that went along with the job. That he chose to step down rather than remain the target of the media's
attention, which only injured the University, is not surprising. Here's hoping the school is lucky enough to find someone as remotely capable to replace him.
attention, which only injured the University, is not surprising. Here's hoping the school is lucky enough to find someone as remotely capable to replace him.
22
I have called MU to express my disgust at President Tim Wolfe's resignation. I hope he receives the feedback I gave along with that of others who called in to voice their indignation. I am a proud graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Columbia, MO. Many in the field believe it is the finest undergraduate school of journalism in the country. I agree--it is an awesome institution of learning. It's tragic that a football team was able to
exert so much influence over the leader of the school. To me it seems that ignorance has scored a touchdown while intelligence is forlorn on the back bench.
exert so much influence over the leader of the school. To me it seems that ignorance has scored a touchdown while intelligence is forlorn on the back bench.
4
In many ways the "incident" doesn't really matter when it comes to the his needing to resign. What matters is he failed to maintain the confidence of both the faculty and students. That was ultimately his own fault.
3
Where does someone like Wolfe go after failing so may people on so many levels.
1
Home, to spend more time with his family.
1
Sounds like the French Revolution. I can't imagine who would want to step up to the Guillotine to assume the Presidency or any University of Missouri position of leadership for that matter. Better to form a Student Committee of Public Safety to run the University. It would be entertaining to see what happens.
25
There already is one. The students formed a wall around the protesters and would not let the media though.
3
Or possibly you can't imagine a white man who'd want to do it?
1
I'll take it any time. And other good people would, too. We may not have been QBs back when or bleed Mizzou school colors. But perhaps leadership isn't about that. The French of the time were the ones our Founding Father read and listened to when went all freedomie on King George. Are you saying Louie and Marie Antoinette were good government?
1
I must be missing something really big. What did the president do that was so egregiously wrong? He was dismissive, then he apologized and tried to make amends. Apparently there was no way for the students to forgive him. Very sad on the students, and it's not like the next president is going to be a magical healer.
28
Very simple solution. You make it policy that any racist statements or actions will not be tolerated; that an effort will be made to desegregate the staff and seek a racial balance; that all students will be treated the same no matter what race or ethnicity; and, that there be a student council to vet all grievances and provide suggestions to make the education experience better for all. To apologize for doing nothing is nothing.
Wolfe failed the only important test of a College President in a crisis: get in front of it, and manage it. Resolve it as quickly as possible. Never, ever allow it to fester.
6
I don't exactly understand what this protest was about. They're protesting racism? Great, I think that most people would be able to get behind that.
7
Somebody reportedly shouted the n-word at a recent parade in the area, so that's what got this whole thing going. But understand if Mizzou didn't show up for the weekend game vs BYU, they would have to forfeit a cool million to the Utah school. So the football team had Mizzou by the ying-yang.
1
I'm an African American alum of Mizzou so I am well aware of the host of race problems simmering on that campus. I hope Wolfe's resignation helps to create some fruitful, real solutions to them. But sadly, and clearly it took the football team's entering the fray to bring about Wolfe’s exit. Just as on any Division One campus, the athletic department’s budget determines how affairs are conducted. For example, Mizzou’s football coach, Gary Pinkel will earn $3.63 million this season, while Assistant Professors there have an average nine-month salary of $62,755. So actually missing a practice and the threat of forfeiting a game made things happen.
508
$63k for nine month gig? that works out to an annualised $84k a year. we're supposed to cry for them?
2
Those are standard asst. prof. salaries. But it wasn't just the athletic team that supported this uprising. It was the student body president and the profs and a large segment of the college community. When classes are being cancelled, games not played, a hunger strike on countdown clock, and the nation watching, it's difficult to bury systemic inequities with "crisis management." Presidents and Chancellors get fired over far less!
"I hope Wolfe's resignation helps to create some fruitful, real solutions to them."
What would "fruitful, real solutions" look like? What is the problem, how can it be solved and will the solution create more issues? A lot of "protesting" but not a lot of options being offered to fix anything. I do not see how Wolfe resigning as a step forward or step backwards.
What would "fruitful, real solutions" look like? What is the problem, how can it be solved and will the solution create more issues? A lot of "protesting" but not a lot of options being offered to fix anything. I do not see how Wolfe resigning as a step forward or step backwards.
1
Yeah! This shows that the word of the people still have power whether it is on a university campus, grocery store parking lot, or some other venue. It restores my faith a little in what this country should be.
9
I still cannot believe it. The people never, ever win. Our public higher ed system is so broken in the U.S., it's nearly at the point where we should scrap it and start over. We are the only nation with big-time sports at our universities. We are the only ones to locate most top universities beyond commuting distance of working-class sons and daughters. We are the only ones that have turned once great state universities into glorified vo-techs. The only ones that have doubled and redoubled tuition until students' Mercedes and Lexus' dominate the student parking lots of state flagship campuses. The only ones where beginning juniors have no better analytical skills than entering freshmen. The only ones where student learning during the week is totally offset by lost brain cells during 3-day binge partying weekends. The only one where most of our doctoral students in economics and the sciences are foreign while America is forced to rely on its scientists from the 1950s and 60s to generate innovations and stay globally competitive.
3
Reading most of these comments, I had to double check if I had stumbled onto fox news or brietbart. Most white people simply cannot understand why black people keep protesting against racism in 2015 when the civil rights act has been in existence for nearly 50 years. They do not realize that unconscious bias does exist and tends to affect black people more. You know there is a problem when there is a delay in responding to complaints from the student body president no less! And good on the football players for using their clout to bring about real change in society. With all the bad publicity due to guys like Greg Hardy, this is a welcome change.
33
I just don't get why a few isolated one-off incidents of individuals allegedly saying some racist things gets spun into the president having to resign.it seems to me these campus revolutionaries just wanted to claim a head.
1
"They do not realize that unconscious bias does exist and tends to affect black people more"
It would appear that it is not politically correct to even mention black bias against whites.
It would appear that it is not politically correct to even mention black bias against whites.
1
The real problem - 'that unconscious bias'.
How do you plan to change that? Protesting?
This is why the white people are pleading to the black people to toughen up. Because we all know that these unconscious loyalties to our affiliated group (whatever that may be) trumps liberal utopian fantasies.
How do you plan to change that? Protesting?
This is why the white people are pleading to the black people to toughen up. Because we all know that these unconscious loyalties to our affiliated group (whatever that may be) trumps liberal utopian fantasies.
3
It seems a rather large swath of commenters don't mind a swastika of human feces displayed for all to see under the auspices of a university president who did nothing to investigate the incident.
Indeed, protest against such a display is tattered with accusations of political correctness and lily-livered, thin-skinned whining.
But I would wager that the real problem here are those who do not bother to find out what the protests are about; who engaged in them; their motivations; and their longevity.
Nope. The Archie Bunkers among us choose to only see a group of blacks protesting - AGAIN - and figure it's just more sound and fury signifying nothing.
And that is the good company that produced the indifference of this president.
Indeed, protest against such a display is tattered with accusations of political correctness and lily-livered, thin-skinned whining.
But I would wager that the real problem here are those who do not bother to find out what the protests are about; who engaged in them; their motivations; and their longevity.
Nope. The Archie Bunkers among us choose to only see a group of blacks protesting - AGAIN - and figure it's just more sound and fury signifying nothing.
And that is the good company that produced the indifference of this president.
31
Most commentators are asking for more background, because this makes no sense as it is written in this article.
2
My first response to the resignation was disbelief; but as I contemplated the action of this "president", I realized he acted as he had to act. No president of an American university can withstand a charge - however spurious - of "racism". He had to go. This man has the distinction of being only the first in what will be a long line of university administrators who will find themselves driven from office. And the tragedy is that these administrators brought this upon themselves: by refusing to stand-up to the reckless demands of students that "racist" members of the faculty be disciplined, the administrators only placed themselves in the line of fire. Sooner of later, dissatisfied students would turn their attention from easily intimidated faculty members to members of the university administration.
Oh well, does anyone want to speculate who will be the next...I was going to use the word "victim"? But such a designation is much too generous for a representative of a group who has brought tragedy down on his or her own head.
Oh well, does anyone want to speculate who will be the next...I was going to use the word "victim"? But such a designation is much too generous for a representative of a group who has brought tragedy down on his or her own head.
9
Walk down a hallway where someone has written racist remarks about you in feces. Then have them blow it off as boys will be boys.
2
The admin could have nipped this in the bud by acknowledging /addressing the issues as they came up instead of ignoring them over the years until they reached a boil. Lessons learned.
2
Yes, students are such activist these days. Some of them even vote. Like this is the 60s? It's gotta be pretty bad for students and faculty and athletes to be so desperate. They exposed themselves to losing jobs, to expulsion, and losing athletic scholarships. They took all the risks and did all the work. They realized that the legislature, regents, and alumni only cared about football games, hits to the prestige of their resumes, and losing donors. Those are really selfish and heartless people in this tale.
2
Wolfe caved into a tiny minority of students.
The football team was not entirely behind this
He should have let the graduate hunger striker starve and kicked all the football players who were striking off the team and scholarship
a sad day for a college
The football team was not entirely behind this
He should have let the graduate hunger striker starve and kicked all the football players who were striking off the team and scholarship
a sad day for a college
39
1. Follow the $$$. It has always been about the $$$.
2. It had to be a big issue that has been festering for too long to affect even the normally non political football players to get involved.
3. Even the faculty were involved.
I don't think this was a minor issue.
2. It had to be a big issue that has been festering for too long to affect even the normally non political football players to get involved.
3. Even the faculty were involved.
I don't think this was a minor issue.
1
What you are suggesting is outright racism. An interesting concept - fight racism with racism.
2
I agree with you totally. Thank you for your comments.
1
Wolfe is just another sad measure of the uselessness of business types.
Get a real educator in there, and leave business school graduates to calculating debit and credit columns, where they belong.
Get a real educator in there, and leave business school graduates to calculating debit and credit columns, where they belong.
14
Unfortunately the reality is the main role of a University President is to generate revenue; via alumni, football, debit and credit columns, etc.
It is pretty clear to me what the solution is.
Ban football. It does not belong on university campuses. Universities should be institutions of learning, not promoters of sports in which the players get brain-damaged for life.
Before they get a new president, the University of Missouri should put in place a plan to phase out football, not just at its university, but at all of its high schools.
Let's value learning once again.
Ban football. It does not belong on university campuses. Universities should be institutions of learning, not promoters of sports in which the players get brain-damaged for life.
Before they get a new president, the University of Missouri should put in place a plan to phase out football, not just at its university, but at all of its high schools.
Let's value learning once again.
41
It's sad but it's true. You have to hit them where the money is before they realize racism is unacceptable.
Banning football is the "solution" for what? Isn't this controversy about racism on the U of M campus and a perceived inaction and lack of concern by the administration? Banning football is the solution how, exactly?
None of these racial incidents have been investigated. No honest attempt to apprehend the perpetrators was ever made. The whole approach (as in some of the more lame brained comments) was 'boys will be boys' on a college campus. Racist acts are not pranks. Missouri does not have an enviable track record as a state (and one can only imagine as a college system) with concern about racism on campus or anywhere else. Black college students (and for that matter Jewish college students) do not have to tolerate the ignorant prejudices of others. If the 'gud 'ol boy' President was not going to do anything about the concerns of minority students, then maybe the next one up will. However that plays out, there must be consequences for those who engage in such racist acts or the university system is basically condoning racism. It IS a big deal. And those who do not think it is a big deal need to think about that the next time they explain to someone that they are not racist.
20
Interesting--unions are not a prerequisite to striking! I look forward to the day when a few other teams (Alabama...?) jump on board and college athletes are able to extract additional concessions.
2
That would be fabulous.
1
I have no understanding what the issues are from this article. Part of the problem is that the subject of the article provided only vague quotes from which I could not determine the nature of the conflict.
23
What a dreadful precedent. Certainly the students have a right to be upset if folks are calling them names but their redress is with those individuals. The school can only do so much.
At any rate whoever forced him to resign has made a grave mistake.
At any rate whoever forced him to resign has made a grave mistake.
27
This is pretty shocking stuff. There is not one incident, but a series of very odd and disjointed incidents that appear to be on the left and right. A law professor suing for his right to bear arms on campus. Students fighting over a statue of Thomas Jefferson. Swastikas marked with feces in campus buildings. Odd cancellation and then reinstatement of contracts with Planned Parenthood. This is just plain weird. I am just not sure where the support for the allegations of racism are coming from. This is just plain weird. I think the NY Times should lay this out cogently so we can understand.
14
Unlike POTUS, this president takes responsibility, whether it is directly his fault or not, because he recognizes the buck stops with him. I still don't have a clue to what is going on here but maybe BHO could take a lesson. How can this not be an open and accepting university? Isn't this the place where an openly gay black man played an outstanding role as linebacker on this team just a year or two ago?
2
Bet it was a platinum parachute!
4
Certainly one person, The President, is not larger than the University; particularly a public University. However, what is the plan to solve the problems? I haven't heard one, so it seems the Board of Curators is derelict if they think that simply replacing the president will work. Will they find be able to find someone with greater capacity to improve race relations? That is very challenging. Based on our experiences and observations recruiting talent into higher education administration is difficult. Our last search drew few applications. Another southern public University infamously drew one application for its open president's slot. I wish Mizzou the best.
2
I want to thank the New York Times for having a link to the MU school newspaper (MANEATER) that provided a timeline of events. Not all of the events listed were germane, but the reader could sift the items listed. More information is better than less.
4
I wish this article gave more details about what the University President did or did not do. Also, I wish I knew what the details were involving Planned Parenthood. Maybe the next article will tell me more.
22
I agree. This article doesn't measure up to the journalistic standards of the NY Times.
1
I believe it's Obama who has brought us to this with his, "Trayvon Martin could have been me" and other things he has done and said.
What is the reason Timothy Wolfe is resigning he did absolutely nothing.
What is the reason Timothy Wolfe is resigning he did absolutely nothing.
14
That's correct. He did nothing about hate crimes and hate speech. Too little too late.
6
If President Obama has brought us a renewed focus on the pervasive racism that still persists in our culture then I think he ought to be commended for that. That said, I don't believe we can give him all that credit as you seem to desire.
He is resigning because many at the university are tired of what they perceive to his complete unwillingness to acknowledge them or the issues and to do anything about it.
He is resigning because many at the university are tired of what they perceive to his complete unwillingness to acknowledge them or the issues and to do anything about it.
5
I think the fact he did nothing IS the reason he was pressured to leave.
2
The NY Times writes that students were protesting over"racial tensions" - why not say hate speech or hate crimes? A University President resigning over "tensions" seems odd - someone resigning because they didn't adequately address swastikas drawn on a building is something else.
21
"There were also highly charged clashes recently over the rights of graduate student teaching assistants, and over access to abortion and the university’s relationship with Planned Parenthood." What were the respective positions of the University, Mr. Wolfe, and the protesting students?
15
Why is the president of a state school quoting the Book of Psalms? That concerns me even more than the fact that he may be the scapegoat for some longtime issues--but THAT part isn't apparent from reading this article.
11
Football players running the university. Such is the state of American "academia": a football program with a college inside it.
18
This is a poorly written article. What were the students protesting? Is there a specific incident or is Mr. Wolfe, specifically culpable? This article does not give any background information on the protest, or the controversy surrounding these events.
35
I believe NYT is relying upon the links in the article to provide the background rather than repeating the information.
2
I agree. I can't figure out what the bottom-line issue is?
1
The best thing he could have done. Once the media was on him he would not have survived. Resignation is always the best answer.
1
Would opposition from Black students have led to the resignation of the UM president? I doubt it. But opposition from athletes, Black and White, as well as their coaches, did him in pretty fast. Raises an interesting question -- could opposition from the nation's football players, say, change our political system? No more Monday night football, or at any other time, until rightwing Republicans stop trying to deny the vote to minorities?
46
Great question? Add this: The NCAA should investigate what'g going on with the athletes of its members. Would like to imagine the athletes and coach combining together really helped but it probably had to do more with the threat of $$$ millions being lost.
IRONY ALERT mizzous next game BYU the mormon UNI--white priveledge at its best
I was reading about this on another website and most of the comments were nakedly racist. Here they're just not so naked.
A lot of the negative comments about this story seem to fall into one of two categories: 1) the "what's the big deal?" variety that seem to assume that absent well-publicized, violent incidents racism pretty much just doesn't exist. Or 2), the scolding type that lecture the protesters about the proper way to conduct a protest (most definitely threatening to boycott football games is not appropriate).
I'm guessing that most of the commenters don't have to experience the kind of deep-seated, institutionalized racism that African Americans do on a daily basis, especially in the South. I'm white myself, but I taught at a southern university for a number of years, and what I saw was pretty terrible. Everything from classes on the civil war that ignore slavery, to white fraternities having Confederate parties, to constant reminders that black students were seen differently than their white peers (i.e., being hassled by campus security for no reason, etc.). And yes, there was also naked racism as well--slurs, etc.
So don't assume that something you've never experienced is no big deal, or that forcing the resignation of an insensitive administrator is an overreaction. Maybe Wolfe's biggest sin was inaction, but it's a positive step that black voices are starting to matter--even if it takes the football team to make people pay attention.
A lot of the negative comments about this story seem to fall into one of two categories: 1) the "what's the big deal?" variety that seem to assume that absent well-publicized, violent incidents racism pretty much just doesn't exist. Or 2), the scolding type that lecture the protesters about the proper way to conduct a protest (most definitely threatening to boycott football games is not appropriate).
I'm guessing that most of the commenters don't have to experience the kind of deep-seated, institutionalized racism that African Americans do on a daily basis, especially in the South. I'm white myself, but I taught at a southern university for a number of years, and what I saw was pretty terrible. Everything from classes on the civil war that ignore slavery, to white fraternities having Confederate parties, to constant reminders that black students were seen differently than their white peers (i.e., being hassled by campus security for no reason, etc.). And yes, there was also naked racism as well--slurs, etc.
So don't assume that something you've never experienced is no big deal, or that forcing the resignation of an insensitive administrator is an overreaction. Maybe Wolfe's biggest sin was inaction, but it's a positive step that black voices are starting to matter--even if it takes the football team to make people pay attention.
981
That may be so. I'm still curious what the big deal is. What did the university president do that warranted losing his job? Are we always obligated to recompense if we're offended? This smells of a witch hunt, and a sacrificial toss onto the pyre to appease the masses.
14
I disagree. The "what's the big deal" crowd aren't denying racism exists unless fully documented. The attitude is "how is the president of the university responsible for random people yelling slurs from their cars or spreading poop on the walls"? Can you answer that?
2
Define "institutionalized racism". None of what you mentioned, with the exception of black students being hassled by campus security for no reason, is what I would consider "institutionalized". The example you gave of teaching the Civil War without mentioning slavery, is not racism but sheer incompetence and that teacher should be fired for that reason.
There isn't much good to being old, but one the few good things is having seen real institutionalized racism and being able to tell the difference from the non-institutionalized racism of a few bigots.
There isn't much good to being old, but one the few good things is having seen real institutionalized racism and being able to tell the difference from the non-institutionalized racism of a few bigots.
2
I conclude that a lot of people are angry with the University of Missouri's president, but the article tell me little about the issues. What has happened? What has the president done that has caused or increased the tensions? And what does Planned Parenthood have to do with all this?
74
It is a pattern, a broad and well-documented- pattern. He has no advanced degree, no experience in education. He was wait for it... a business man...which evidently makes you qualified for whatever the GOPTP would like you to be. Scott Walker and the GOPTP want(s), it to prepare the worker for whatever factory is temporarily functioning in a state (Missouri is not doing so well there in any event). These guys come in and begin to dismantle higher education because not only have they never experienced it, that flat out don't value it, they believe it is something to be tamed or dismantled as quickly as they can if it doesn't respond to their Rynian principles. THere is nothing scarier to them than an educated populace.
9
Concerned - Thank you. I read the article thinking I would be informed as to why the President had to resign, I wasn't. Suffice to know there was racism involved, which says it all in today's society.
4
Sure there is, the liberal mis-educated establishment teaching our populace. College students today have been overfed on the entitlement pablum and politically corrected to absurdity. They are disrespectful, "offended" by everything and act like petulant children when they don't get what want the instant they want it.
2
Unlike an a typical Al Sharpton publicity stunt or Jessie Jackson shakedown, this is a fine example of call to action with a result campaign. Bravo to the organizers and to the football team who understood their leverage and acted to get results. There was a lack of resposible leadership from Tim Wolfe and this is unacceptable, full stop!
20
Yes, bravo. With the football team calling the shots, let's see what happens to enrollment, donations, and the overall well-being of the university. Just like all the new businesses and homebuyers flocking to Ferguson when they saw the leverage of the rioters there.
2
What does matter is that we live in a nation where protest is lawfully permissible and protected.
How unfortunate that on the eve of this year's Veterans' Day, which honors the freedoms fought and died for by our brave soldiers, the protesters in this event are sneered and scorned and held in public contempt by many in this forum.