Faculty members, students, and others at Texas A&M University at College Station are pushing back against its president’s criticism of what a philosophy professor said were his remarks taken out of context by a conservative critic.
Several graduate students have started an online petition in which they denounce a statement by the president, Michael K. Young, as “incredibly irresponsible.” By Friday morning, roughly 300 people had signed the petition in support of Tommy Curry, an associate professor of philosophy.
“As members of the Texas A&M community, Aggies, and former students, particularly those of us who identify as Aggies of color, we are deeply alarmed and saddened by President Young’s decision to not support Dr. Curry in the face of these attacks,” the petition reads. “President Young’s response has not only exacerbated the situation but has legitimized dangerous and harmful rhetoric against a black professor at Texas A&M University.”
