Harley Barber expulsion from University of Alabama a missed opportunity
The University of Alabama (UA) missed an opportunity to do what it exists to do: teach. In response to the national attention it received this week, the university expelled student Harley Barber after Barber filmed herself repeatedly making racist comments which then went viral. Before I get to where the University went wrong, let me say so that there is zero doubt — Barber’s comments are disgusting, inexcusable, and indefensible. My commentary on the consequences of her actions should in no way be taken as an effort to defend her hateful speech. That said, this is/was an opportunity for UA to take someone who is clearly immature and ignorant and teach her better. To teach others like her better. Would that have required an investment of time and resources? Yes. Would that investment be worth it for the university, its student body and its community? Yes. There is zero chance that this won’t happen again, a student is found to show intolerance towards another individual or group of individuals, in the digital age that we live in. Rather than expelling her and sending her home, what the administration of UA should have done is offered her guidance and an opportunity to grow and learn. That is after all what going to college is about. If we kicked out people for narrow-mindedness and/or ignorant behavior most campuses would be empty. We don’t know many details about her expulsion, but if it was not conditional on her being able to come back at a later date, I think that’s a tragedy for her and the university. Despite popular opinion at the moment, this young lady is probably not evil. She probably is not going to have a lifetime of racist actions or behaviors. Really what she needs is to have her eyes opened to the realities that hateful discrimination like hers cause. Sit her down with students or facility and put a face and a story behind the effects of hate. Show her the pain that hate has caused. Teach her the history of the intolerable word she used. I’ve never understood the “Zero Tolerance” policy when it comes to mistakes that come from ignorance, insensitivity or even stupidity, as opposed to ones of malice. There is a difference in posting an offensive video saying horrifically stupid thing and committing an act of violence or promoting hateful actions by others. Treating them as equal undermines the concept of personal growth. Barber cannot learn from her bigotry by being sent home, shamed and bullied. She could learn from those around her in an academic setting. She could be placed on probation. Given community service. Given a mentor. Sent to learn about others and hear from them. The opportunities are endless to expand this young woman’s views. Contrary to what has happened in our campuses over the last several years, if not the last decade — our universities are a place for people to grow. Growth requires that we hear contradictory ideas without the comfort of “safe spaces.” Growth requires that we look at our personal biases and challenge what we may strongly believe about ourselves or others. If we can rehabilitate career criminals we can rehabilitate someone who clearly has not been exposed to racial diversity. UA missed an opportunity to better this young lady’s life and to strengthen their campus by making it a place of growth for all. Does she deserve a second chance today? Maybe not. Does she deserve the time and the opportunity to grow? She does. People make mistakes big and small. Who better to educate her and help change her backwards point of views than the diverse staff and student body at UA? If we continue to condemn every backwards thinking individual, rather than take the time to educate them, then we’re dooming our society to continuing in this wayward cycle of hate.
Harley Barber expelled from University of Alabama for racist rants, removed from sorority
University of Alabama (UA) has officially expelled a student for a series of racist video rants that surfaced and went viral Tuesday afternoon. UA President Stuart Bell confirmed Wednesday afternoon Harley Barber, 19, is no longer a student at the university. “The actions of this student do not represent the larger student body or the values of our University, and she is no longer enrolled here,” Bell said in a statement. “We hold our students to much higher standards, and we apologize to everyone who has seen the videos and been hurt by this hateful, ignorant and offensive behavior. This is not who we are; it is unacceptable and unwelcome here at UA.” Barber was also removed from her sorority at UA, Alpha Phi. Late Tuesday night, the national organization responded to the rant by posting a statement on Facebook, noting Barber is no longer a member of the organization: Alpha Phi is a diverse, values-based organization and condemns the language and opinions in these videos. They are offensive and hateful to both our own members and to other members of the Greek and campus community. The Beta Mu chapter leadership and supporting alumnae moved quickly to address the offense, and Ms. Barber is no longer a member of Alpha Phi. Linda Kahangi, executive director of Alpha Phi International Fraternity confirmed the news to Alabama Today. Twitter user @TabisBack outed Barber’s videos Tuesday afternoon. The first video showed Barber turning off a water faucet in an undisclosed bathroom. She ranted: “We do not waste water… because of the poor people in Syria. We don’t waste water. I love how I act like I love black people because I (expletive) hate (n-word) so that’s really interesting but I just saved the (expletive) (n-word) by shutting that water off.” In a second video, Barber ranted about those who were calling her for her use of the n-word on Martin Luther King Jr. Day no less, saying: “I’ve wanted to be an Alpha Phi since I was (expletive) in high school and nobody (expletive) understands how much I love Alpha Phi. And now someone wants to say I’m offensive because I said (n-word)’? You know what? (n-word), (n-word), (n-word). I don’t care if it’s Martin Luther King Day. (n-word), (n-word), (n-word). I’m in the south now, (expletive). So everyone can (expletive) off. I’m from New Jersey, so I can say (n-word) as much as I want. (n-word), (n-word), (n-word). And if anyone else wants to (expletive) snake me on my (expletive) Finsta for saying (n-word)?” Following her ouster from her sorority and the University, Barber told the NY Post she felt horrible and was “so sorry.” “I feel horrible,” Barber told the Post on the way back to her hometown in New Jersey. “I feel so, so bad and I am so sorry… I did something really, really bad. I don’t know what to do and I feel horrible. I’m wrong and there’s just no excuse for what I did.” Read Bell’s entire message below: In light of the racist and disturbing videos posted by one of our students on social media, I want to express my personal disgust and disappointment. Like many of you, I find the videos highly offensive and deeply hurtful, not only to our students and our entire University community, but to everyone who viewed them. The actions of this student do not represent the larger student body or the values of our University, and she is no longer enrolled here. We hold our students to much higher standards, and we apologize to everyone who has seen the videos and been hurt by this hateful, ignorant and offensive behavior. This is not who we are; it is unacceptable and unwelcome here at UA. These types of incidents affect community members differently. If you have been impacted and would like additional support, please access resources here that are available to you on our campus. Over the last year, I have had conversations with many of you who shared your UA experiences with me. You have voiced your pride in the progress we have made, but we still have much work to do. I want to thank all of the students, faculty and staff who met today to have conversations about this event and the steps we can take, individually and collectively, to create a more welcoming and inclusive campus. You have my commitment and the commitment of our leadership team to sustain progress and address directly any issues that arise. I know you join me in taking a stand against this and all reprehensible behavior. As members of this community, we are a family and this is our home. Everyone has a right to feel safe and welcome here. Stuart R. Bell President
