Clear Epic

Hate mail stirs faculty tension

“As Doane continues to strive for diversity, not everyone is happy with its current face.

Last November, professor of education Marilyn Johnson-Farr received a letter at her home reminding her of that.

“Dr. Johnson-Farr far away,” the letter began. “If you feel so unwelcome here, get the fuck out.”

“We’re well on our way to a diverse community, and don’t need your whining token ass anymore,” it continued.

The quarter-page letter was signed “Faculty for a new Doane.”

Please click on the title of the article to read the full article. I went to Doane. It’s my alma mater, I gave four years and a whole lot of money to Doane. We still support Doane, Raymonn coaches football there, the head track coach was a groomsmen in our wedding. I support the school, but this makes me sad. I am beyond mad, beyond outraged and just plain sad.

As I have mentioned before, I KNOW racism exists. I get that it does. But to have it happen on a campus that views and markets itself as progressive, open minded, paving the way to a better future with it’s liberal arts education, and to have that school just leaving it soley in the hands of the authorities??? Honestly, I am embarrassed. The local authorities are not on campus, DO SOMETHING DOANE!!! Do more to support a faculty member that has made a huge impact and has given blood, sweat, and tears to the cause. Dr. Johnson-Farr has worked tirelessly to make a majority white campus more diverse. Stand up for her and actively work to find who wrote this letter and take action against them!

And to you, whoever wrote this letter. You coward. You have the right to your own opinions, you even have the right to express them. To write hate mail and then not have the guts to sign your own name takes away that right. You are disgusting. If you have an issue with Dr. Johnson-Farr or anyone for that matter, be a man or woman and discuss it. You are a coward hiding behind anonymity. You obviously don’t want any outcome except perhaps to stir the pot. If you did then you would step forward and explain what you meant. Only with open discussion can we ever move forward as a society. I hope to God that you aren’t really a part of the faculty. If so, I can only pray that I never had a class with you. I hope I never looked at you as a mentor, I hope I never looked at you with respect as someone who was/is helping to shape and form future leaders. If so, please resign. You don’t deserve the PRIVILEGE of teaching. Get out. I will say it to your face and even sign my name.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Adams