Breadcrumb Navigation:
Statement from the Chancellor in Response to Free Expression Tunnel Incident
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Statement from the Chancellor in Response to Free Expression Tunnel Incident
Early this morning, students and campus employees discovered racist and derogatory statements associated with the election of our president spray painted on our Free Expression Tunnel.
There is no question that a presidential election tends to bring out our emotional as well as our political sides. It makes for good debate, which makes us a stronger nation.
However, the strength and positive force of spirited debate is sapped when we resort to name-calling and negativity. Worse, when we lower ourselves to engaging in racist characterizations and inappropriate statements of anger and hate, we make a mockery of our right to free speech.
Today, we celebrate a historic milestone in American politics and society – the election of our nation’s first African-American president. Whether we agree or disagree with the president-elect’s political views is irrelevant to the accomplishment itself.
In a society that values individual achievement against all odds, on a campus that embraces diversity and the constructive exchange of ideas, we’ve seen the very symbol of NC State’s dedication to free speech – the Free Expression Tunnel – suffer the insult of racist and inflammatory language.
I denounce these shameful acts and have asked our campus police to investigate this incident.
We as a campus community and I as your chancellor – and as a private citizen – value free speech but will not tolerate hateful speech designed to incite violence and undermine the safe operation of campus. To those who insist on such negative communication: cease and desist.
We are North Carolina State University and we wear the name with pride and honor. Our values speak to an expectation that being a citizen of our campus calls us all to be a better person.
We can and will protect and value free speech. I completely agree with and support the statement made recently by our student leaders:
“Any speech that is intended to harass, intimidate, or degrade others is unacceptable and together we must confront and denounce it in every corner of our university.”
Today is a day for respect... respect for our nation, our political system, and our newly elected president. We look forward to taking on the challenges our state and our country must face together, rather than letting our differences divide us.
James L. Oblinger