Writer of racist slur apologizes to BU community

Residents of an 18th-floor suite at 33 Harry Agganis Way woke up on Monday morning to find a racist slur written on a whiteboard on their door. Following an investigation led by the Boston University Police Department, the student responsible for the epithet has issued an apology to members of the BU community.

In a Thursday email to the residents of the building, Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore provided an update on the result of the investigation and the consequences to come. He also shared the culprit’s apology.

Below is the full email sent to StuVi2 residents from Kenneth Elmore.

Dear Residents of 33 Harry Agganis Way,

I write with a brief update on my February 5, message. The Boston University 
Police have identified the person responsible for writing a vile, racially 
derogatory epithet on an 18th floor suite door within this residence. 
Disappointingly, the person responsible for this act is one of our students.

This behavior has consequences. I am following up with this student via the 
University’s disciplinary system. The Boston University Police Department is 
following up via available civil proceedings.  As additional follow up, 
let’s not support or sanction this behavior from each other.

Should you care to read it, I have attached a letter of apology, to this 
community, that I received from this student responsible for the writing. 
(Privacy considerations do not permit me to publish the student’s name.)

It saddens me that you had to deal with this.

In peace,

Kenneth Elmore
Associate Provost and Dean of Students

_________________________________________


“To Dean Elmore, The students at Stuvi2, and The entire Boston University 
Community. 

Sorry. 

My heart is in shambles right now, and I still cannot fully comprehend the 
audacity I had for my actions I committed following the Superbowl loss late 
Sunday Night/Early Monday morning. What I had done was disgusting, twisted, 
and sickening. Boston University prides itself in the acceptance and respect 
of great diversity, which is a cornerstone foundation to our values here at 
the school. It is a large part as to why we can call ourselves role models 
and great leaders in today’s society. 

I was intoxicated, I was very angry after the Patriots lost, but I cannot 
just automatically excuse myself because of that. In no way, shape, or form 
did I ever mean to offend or hurt anyone. I know that the words ‘sorry’ 
coming out from my mouth may not fix any damages I have already caused but I 
cannot stress how truly and deeply sorry I am for my actions, and I hope 
that people do not see me as that vulgar and racist person. That is not what 
I support, what I stand for, and most importantly who I am. Those words are 
not part of my daily vocabulary. I did not come to this University to 
contradict the values we pride ourselves with. I came to this University 
because I knew I had one of the greatest opportunity to interact and network 
with people from all over the world regardless of their race, gender, or 
ethnicity. That is the beauty of it. 

I’m here today to tell you I’ve made a mistake and not just any mistake, but 
the biggest mistake of my entire life. I put my friends, family, and 
acquaintances into shame. I’ve let myself and my dignity down. And more 
importantly, I’ve let the Boston University Community down. This mistake 
certainly has the capacity to be life changing and I can certainly say that 
I cannot predict the future. But if there’s one thing I can do, that is to 
look back at this horrible mistake and seek a change of heart. As I have 
said before, this is definitely not the the person I see myself as and 
certainly not the person I want others to see me. My parents, my teachers, 
my mentors, and church did not raise me to be this way. They always told me 
to learn from your mistakes, better yourself by bettering others, love your 
neighbors, and to never in any circumstance treat others lesser than 
yourself. 

I can only hope for forgiveness and hope that people will believe that I can 
change and will never do such a thing ever again. Once again, my actions 
were unacceptable and I would like to extend my utmost apology for all those 
that were offended and have been ashamed.

Thank You.”