OU Addresses Protesters

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University of Oklahoma officials released a statement Wednesday night, several hours after students staged a sit-in at Evans Hall after a second incident of a professor using a racial slur during class.

“We join with OU’s concerned and hurt students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends, and we echo the need for equal respect for everyone,” interim President Joseph Harroz said. “Our community has experienced incidents in the last two weeks that have certainly caused pain, but more importantly have been reminders of trauma caused by racism and structural issues both past and present.

“As a university, one of our responsibilities is to not simply reflect society, but to engage in productive, positive discourse, come together, and make society better.”