A College of Wisconsin-Madison pupil concerned in a racist social media video that sparked outrage and protests on campus has not been expelled regardless of an ongoing petition to completely take away her from the attendance rolls of the college.
Audrey Godlewski has stepped ahead to subject an apology for her offensive feedback in an interview with The Every day Cardinal, a pupil newspaper, a month after the video went viral, expressing regret.
My phrases have been totally disgusting and unacceptable, whether or not in public or personal,” Godlewski stated. “That is fully inexcusable, and I settle for full duty for the ache and anger that I’ve induced throughout campus. Furthermore, I do know that no phrases can undo the harm I’ve induced all through the neighborhood, and for that I’m deeply sorry.”
The video, which circulated on numerous social media platforms in Could, depicted her utilizing racist slurs and expressing disturbing ideas of returning Black folks to slavery and abusing them.
“I’m going to return and hunt each f—ing little n—-r who f—ing did me fallacious. I actually hate all of them, I’m going to make them decide f—ing cotton within the fields all day lengthy till they die of fg of thirst…….their our bodies are going to dry out due to how a lot cotton they’re choosing for me,” she stated within the video.
Greater than 66,000 folks have signed a web based petition urging her expulsion from the college, which was nonetheless being circulated on-line. Tons of of scholars additionally march down the streets of Madison and held a sit-in on campus, demanding she be punished.
UW-Madison officers condemned the racist language however famous that, as a public establishment, it should adhere to First Modification rights, even when they defend hateful speech on private social media accounts.
“Whereas the college can’t restrict what college students and workers publish to their private social media accounts and might’t take motion towards posts that aren’t illegal, racist slurs don’t signify or replicate UW–Madison values round creating an inclusive neighborhood,” an announcement from the college stated.
The Blk Pwr Coalition, a newly fashioned pupil group in response to Godlewski’s video, met with campus directors to deal with campus local weather enchancment. Nonetheless, Godlewski’s profession continues. As of Friday, July 21, she is listed as a nurse aide within the state caregiver registry.
