I am writing to express my appreciation for Chancellor James Moeser and Mayor Rosemary Waldorf's swift and effective responses to the profoundly disturbing parody of a person being dragged by a chain behind a pick-up truck that was part of the "Beat Dook" parade which took place Nov. 17.
Their investigations and clear statements of dismay, disappointment and denunciation will prevent this incident from festering into a symbol of callous insensitivity, or worse, on the part of the University and the town of Chapel Hill. Dr. Ervin informed me that the students involved have apologized and are taking steps, with University officials, to prevent any similar occurrence from taking place. I hope that the town and UNC students will still be able to join together to "Beat Dook" in the future.
In resolving this matter, I am especially grateful for the moral clarity of Town Manager W. Calvin Horton, Dean Susan Kitchen, Dr. Archie Ervin, Mayor Aaron Nelson, Professor Sue Estroff, Professor Joel Schwartz, the Reverend Steven Stanley, Professor Chuck Stone and Dean Harold Woodard.
Reginald F. Hildebrand
Associate Professor
Department of African & Afro-American Studies
