INDIANAPOLIS – A janitor whom a university official had accused of racial harassment for reading a historical book about the Ku Klux Klan on his break has gotten an apology — months later — from the school. Charles Bantz, chancellor at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, apologized to Keith John Sampson in a letter dated Friday, saying the school is committed to free expression.
“I can candidly say that we regret this situation took place,” Bantz wrote. Sampson’s troubles began last year when a co-worker complained after seeing him reading a book titled “Notre Dame vs. the Klan: How the Fighting Irish Defeated the Ku Klux Klan.” The book’s cover features white-robed Klansmen and burning crosses against a backdrop of Notre Dame’s campus. It recounts a 1924 riot between Notre Dame students and the Klan in which the students from the Catholic university prevailed. Sampson, a 58-year-old white janitor and student majoring in communication studies, said he tried to explain that the book was a historical account.
“I have an interest in American history,” Sampson said. “I was trying to educate myself.”
But Sampson says his union official likened the book to bringing pornography to work, and the school’s affirmative action officer in November told Sampson his conduct constituted racial harassment.
The “official” should be forced to trade jobs with the janitor for a semester.
Sounds like an intersting read, I’ll have to pick it up.
“…saying the school is committed to free expression.”
My ass.
I think reviewing the history of terrorism in America might do us all a little good, and the KKK is an excellent place to start.
They got it but rather late and maybe not completely.
Fire the school’s affiramtive action officer, and close the position as racist.
I tend to lean to the idea that…
THOSe that BAN books, should READ THEM FIRST.
]THEN take a TEST on the book, to see if they UNDERSTOOD IT.
He should file a big phat lawsuit.
The accounts of what I have read on this were totally inappropriate and unacceptable.
Plus he should demand whoever filed the complaint be fired.
I was in a university library a week ago and an Arab-looking guy on the computer terminal next to mine was watching what sure seemed like radical videos with fiery preachers, crowds throwing their fists in the air, chanting etc.
I tried not to be bugged by it, but I have to say it did. At the very least, it was highly distracting.
Is this kind of the same situation?
#5 for the win!
I’m totally confused about this story. This janitor was reading at Notre Dame, reading a historical account of Notre Dame students basically kicking the butt of racist KK members who were not ND students, in 1924, which is a good thing. But, reading about that good thing is a bad thing!?!?
It’s equivalent to being reprimanded for reading a book about the Abolitionist movement on a bench in Atlanta.
Teacher can you say”Sh#t for brains”?
#12: I’m totally confused about this story. This janitor was reading at Notre Dame, reading a historical account of Notre Dame
You’re only partially confused. The Janitor was at Indiana University. Not Notre Dame.
Everything else you said was spot on though. Baffling that you can be reprimanded for reading about history…especially a historical event that had a “politically correct” outcome (i.e. KKK getting their asses whupped)
Whatever. Wonders will never cease.
#12, You have it almost right. The janitor (and student) was at the Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, reading a historical account about Notre Dame students fighting against the Klan.
#7: Yes the janitor probably should file a lawsuit.
Shouldn’t he have been cleaning instead of reading?
#16. He was also a student….
#16;
And on his break. RTFA.
is this what you get for being University EDUCATED??
I thought, being University educated MEANT Something..LIKE, that you could READ…
#15, Floyd & others.
Why should he file a lawsuit? Can you name ONE thing he can claim damages on.
He wasn’t disciplined.
He didn’t lose any academic credits.
He wasn’t forced to hire an attorney.
He didn’t lose any time from work defending himself.
After the appeal, the letter was removed from his record.
The mistake was acknowledged.
An apology was forthcoming and it came from the head of the University.
I know wing nuts love to file frivolous lawsuits, but unfortunately one needs something to sue over. Hurt feelings don’t count.
*
#16, Lyin’ Mike,
No. He was on his break plus it was a University Library book. BUT, if you had of bothered to read the article, you would know that.