The Faculty of Law condemns racism directed at Professor Ubaka Ogbogu

Last week, Associate Professor Ubaka Ogbogu received an anonymous voice mail placed to his Faculty telephone number that was racist, profane, hateful and aggressive.

The content of the voice mail is deeply disturbing. It is upsetting to me, and to the Faculty of Law, that anyone would be subjected to this type of experience. For the target to have been a widely respected member of our own Faculty brings into sharp focus the sad reality that racism is real and that it exists in our community today.

Of further concern, a reference in the voice mail makes it clear that it was, at least in part, a response to Professor Ogbogu’s public commentary on matters within his area of academic scholarship. Free and open academic expression is one of the most basic of principles defining who we are as a Law Faculty, as an academic institution, and as a society. For a member of our Faculty to experience an abusive and deeply personal backlash in response to the airing of academic opinion is an affront to us all. It is an attack on our Faculty and on the university.

The Faculty of Law stands in unqualified solidarity with our colleague Professor Ubaka Ogbogu. Professor Ogbogu is held in the highest of regard in our Faculty and throughout the wider academic community. He is respected for his esteemed scholarship and is a valued colleague and member of our academic family. The Faculty condemns, in the strongest possible terms, this and any act of racism against a member of our community. The Faculty likewise condemns this and any attempt to silence academic participation in public discourse.

Investigative steps are underway with respect to this matter, with the full co-operation of the Faculty of Law. I have been in contact with University President Bill Flanagan and am grateful for his support and engagement in addressing this incident. See the President’s statement here.

This unfortunate incident is a reminder that hate and racism are not easily overcome and that there is much work yet to be done. Personally and on behalf of the Faculty of Law, I affirm my commitment to continuing our efforts.

Barbara Billingsley

Dean, University of Alberta Faculty of Law