The contention over President Wagner's comments praising the Three-Fifths Compromise in the winter 2013 edition of Emory Magazine has partially subsided. We can all agree that his statement was insensitive, misguided and detrimental to the Emory community.
President Wagner's comments also lacked historical perspective. As a United States history major with a particular interest in the civil rights movement and the struggle for African-American equality, I was stunned that President Wagner would reference the infamous Three-Fifths Compromise, a stain on the nation and the cause of the bloodiest war in American history, to advocate for compromise and inclusiveness. President Wagner's comments brought national shame to the University at a time in which the spotlight should have been on the opening of the archives of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Emory's commitment to advancing social justice.
I was there on that moving evening of the opening of the SCLC exhibit and heard veteran civil rights leaders like John Lewis, Bernard LaFayette and Dorothy Cotton recount their experiences during the watershed 1950s and 1960s years and the continued struggle for African-American equality across the nation. It was an emotional night and one that I'll remember for a long time.
I also heard President Wagner's speech that evening. He entered the exhibit with Congressman Lewis and proceeded to stand up and address the audience amid student and faculty demonstration calling for his resignation.
His remarks were brief, but I saw a man who was deeply remorseful and humbled by the humiliation that he had brought on his university.
He commemorated the civil rights heroes who dedicated their lives to the cause of social justice.
Pledging to learn and grow from his mistakes, President Wagner apologized to the audience for his divisive comments.
Although I may not always agree with President Wagner and have been critical of the cuts to the journalism program and the economics department under his tenure, I signed the online petition to keep him. I was also encouraged by the Emory faculty's recent decision to reject the "no confidence" motion.
We must take a step back and remember that all of us, students, faculty and even presidents of universities, make mistakes.
One ill-advised comment should not overshadow the success President Wagner has enjoyed at Emory and the strides the university has made under his leadership.
I believe President Wagner has shown genuine contrition, and I have been impressed by his response to make amends for his blunder and to help the Emory community heal and move forward.
During this tumultuous time at Emory, the student body and the faculty need to come together to reaffirm the values that make Emory such a wonderful institution.
Meaningful discussion and debate is required, but pointing the blame at one individual causes division within the community and fails to lead to effective solutions.
We can only move forward by acknowledging our mistakes and striving to learn from them.
President Wagner deserves the chance to be a part of the effort.
Nathaniel Meyersohn is a College sophomore from New York City.
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