When I first heard that Professor Valorie Thomas had been physically and verbally attacked, I was disgusted. All I could think about was what a great resource she has been for me and many other students. I know that without respectable, knowledgeable, and compassionate professors like Professor Thomas, I would not have been able to reach my senior year in the racially hostile environment of Pomona College. I could only think about how undeserving she was of these attacks. I expected the entire campus to be outraged. After all, an outstanding Professor of English and Black Studies had been physically assaulted and called a "black bitch", among other verbal attacks. Instead, scores of students rallied in support of the perpetrators. Once again, all I could feel was disgust. Articles appeared (and continue to appear) in our student newspaper challenging Professor Thomas’ "professionalism", honesty, credibility, and integrity. At least one petition circulated in support of the perpetrators and messages of anonymous origin defending the perpetrators appeared on campus. Would this have happened if a white student or professor had been the victim of assault? No, not on this campus. In fact I cannot remember a case in the past where the victim was disrespected as much as Professor Thomas has been in the aftermath. Usually people encourage the victim to come forward with her story and there is an attempt to create a comfortable environment for the victim to speak freely. Yet, the opposite happened in this case concerning a Black professor and two white students.

To question Professor Thomas’ honesty is not only unwarranted, but also absurd. Who would you believe? A professor or two admittedly drunk students? A motiveless victim or the assailants? Apparently, a significant portion of our community would believe the latter. What reason would Professor Thomas have to lie? It’s obvious why the accused, who bore the risk of severe punishments, would lie.

As a black woman, the campus’ reaction to Professor Thomas’ assault makes me afraid. What if someone pushed me four times and called me a "black bitch" and I chose to speak out about it? Would I be forced to face the same hostile environment as Professor Thomas has? Would all my supporters be silenced? Would I have to fear my property being vandalized? My fear is legitimate and is shared by members of all marginalized groups at Pomona College.

I SUPPORT PROFESSOR VALORIE THOMAS! Before the appeals were over, I was advised not to express my support for Professor Thomas, while the perpetrators’ supporters swayed public opinion with articles, petitions, and rumors. Now it’s time that the truth is heard. What happened to Professor Thomas on September 9 was an example of the racism and sexism that is prevalent on our campus and the campus’ reaction proves it.

Sincerely,

Misa Luthuli ’02