Letters to the Editor

Why ban Gil-White?

I am writing to express concern about the undue restrictions that have been imposed on Professor Francisco Gil-White's course "Psychology of Ethnicity" (PSYC 270), which specifically addresses anti-black racism and anti-Semitism.

The new requirements include taking the prerequisite course "Biocultural Psychology" (PSYC 172) and being a junior or senior psychology major so that roughly 30 people in the entire university are even eligible to take it. The professor says the course should have no restrictions because it is designed so that no special background is necessary.

The Psychology Department supports its actions with claims that Professor Gil-White's teaching style is inadequate. However, the course has received uncommonly high reviews; some even say this is the best course they have taken in the entire University.

Has the Psychology Department placed these restrictions arbitrarily?

Several concerned students, including leaders of campus-wide organizations, have written to the Psychology Department. The response was brief and not explanatory, claiming that Professor Gil-White was providing erroneous information. However, they refused to give students any evidence for this or supply any explanation. This failure to respond appropriately to the students has also stirred great distress.

Given the university's recent history with Professor Gil-White, along with the effective banning of his course, this appears to be another effort to censor him for his political views. Gil-White has repeatedly been threatened that failure to change his political views or keep them to himself could result in his being fired -- threats that it seems are now being acted upon.

But most shocking here is that Professor Gil-White's political views have to do with understanding and combating racism. Why are they trying to suppress that?

If you do not agree with what the University is doing, please reply to rajunov@sas.upenn.edu to have your name added to a petition demanding that the Psychology Department either respond appropriately and provide a clear explanation for the restrictions or lift the restrictions from the course.

Michelle Rajunov

College '08

Katrina Jurn

College '06

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.