“This is a tempest in a tea pot,” said Al-Ashkar, adding “It’s not that to Mr. Barrows. It’s his life and it’s a big thing to him.”
Some say Barrows’ position as diversity officer has fueled fire against him among those in Wisconsin who oppose affirmative action and any mention of race in the applications process.
“There are people who put pressure on the university to make sure we are not highlighting race,” said Michael Thornton, professor in the department of Afro-American studies. “The Barrows case played into this.”
-Christina Asquith
Reader comments on this story:
"End it"
It appears that a number of persons have a personl ax to grind. There should be a level of professionalism and general respect to allow the committee's decision to suffice. It appears that someone has to include their feelings into this person's folder. Are they trying to destroy him professionally? Accept he has been demoted, salary reduced and publically humiliated lesson learned, END IT!
-C. Johnson
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