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Dear Colleagues,
Last Thursday, Joy Johnson emailed all SFU faculty, staff and students, re: the campus security incident that took place on December 11th, 2020. President Johnson’s email contained (1) a link to the summary version of the independent external review she commissioned into the Dec. 11th incident. And (2) her own commentary on the results of the review. I am troubled by what seems to me an inconsistency, on a very important point, between (1) and (2).
Conclusion 10 (a) of the review summary states: “there is no evidence” that “racial profiling” contributed to the Dec. 11th incident. This seems to me very welcome news—indeed quite a relief.
President Johnson, however, seems to see it differently. She states that the Dec. 11th incident “has reinforced concerns about racism on our campuses.”
I frankly do not understand how a non-racist incident can reinforce concerns about racism.
Conversely, if President Johnson holds to the view that the Dec. 11th incident was indeed generated by racism, that would seem to mean she rejects Conclusion 10 (a) of the external review.
This is not an occasion for ambiguity. In my opinion, President Johnson should clarify her remarks—for the benefit of all SFU faculty, staff, and students. She should tell the university whether she accepts, or rejects, Conclusion 10 (a) of the external review.
Sincerely, JD Fleming
Professor, Department of English Simon Fraser University Burnaby/Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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