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Faculty Senate
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Message of Support for Sirry Alang |
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Dear Lehigh Community, In the last week and a half, one of our valued community members, Professor Sirry Alang, has come under unyielding attack for exercising her First Amendment right to freedom of speech. The attacks against Dr. Alang are racist, threatening, and hateful. The Faculty Senate condemns these attacks, and all threats of violence and hate speech directed against any member of our community: faculty, staff, and students. It is especially important to make public our support for Dr. Alang in light of the June 3, 2020 email from President John Simon and Board Chair Kevin Clayton committing Lehigh to becoming an actively anti-racist institution. In order to make progress toward that goal, we must continue to speak out against hateful and racist acts, demonstrating our commitment in both word and deed. On June 4, the Senate Chair and Vice-Chair communicated that “Our goal is a Lehigh where all members feel empowered to express their voice on all matters especially those of civic and social importance and where all feel emboldened and equipped to affect needed change.” We affirm our June 4 email in this moment, and we offer our full support for Dr. Alang. Sincerely, |