On Monday, posters like the one above were put up all over campus, including on most (if not all) senior house doors. The posters call for the removal of Daniel Handler ’92 as Commencement Speaker after repeated instances of racism and sexual harassment. They also call attention to the fact that Dr. Anita Hill, who is known for speaking out against workplace harassment, will receive an honorary degree (a lesser honor and a shorter speech) at the same event.
The poster also links to Wesleying’s Write-In: “Commencement 2018: Lemony Snicket, Anita Hill, and Silencing Women of Color in the Age of #MeToo” and a recent article in Pacific Standard by David M. Perry ’95 detailing Handler’s history of sexual harassment.
The full text of the poster:
Author Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket) ’92 has been chosen to deliver the Commencement Address despite a history of racism and sexual harassment. Anita Hill, who famously spoke out against Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s sexual harassment, will also be given an honorary doctorate and a smaller time slot. She is an accomplished author and professor in her own right. Time is up on workplace harassment. It is an insult to survivors, women, people of color, and Dr. Hill to give this honor to Handler. We call for the removal of Handler as Commencement Speaker.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Go to Roth’s Office Hours: (Call ahead to schedule)
- Mondays 4:30-5:30pm, 229 High St.
- Call or Email Roth:
- 860-685-3500 & presoffice[at]wesleyan[dot]edu
- See your Class Dean
For further information on this issue, visit