The Ivy League continues to receive unwanted national attention as Yale Dean makes disparaging remarks on Yelp.
A Yale University dean has found herself in hot water after reviews she left on Yelp. June Chu was placed on administrative leave after it was discovered that she had posted incredibly offensive remarks about a Japanese restaurant writing, “If you are white trash, this is the perfect night out for you!”
In addition to this racially disparaging remark, Chu—who is Asian—went on to describe workers at a movie theater as, “barely educated morons.” There were reportedly numerous posts of this nature left by Chu.
Yelp is a popular place online for users to receive reviews on locations they wish to visit. Many find it helpful in choosing where to do business based upon experiences others have had. For not only a member of a minority community in the United States, but an educator, to leave such gross public remarks that will be widely seen is absolutely disgusting. Chu’s remarks come during an especially crucial time in the United States where politics have become so divisive that many groups have found tolerance to be lacking.
By going after customers based on their race, Chu sets progress back decades. Her remarks also invoke seriously flawed views of those without formal Ivy League education. Attacking those who work at movie theaters illustrates the disturbing thinking that still infects those in the United States who feel they are better than those who perform certain jobs. Chu has perpetuated very harmful stereotypes and made a complete mockery out of her position as dean.
Conveniently, upon the discovery of her remarks and subsequent actions taken against her, Chu released a statement to students, acknowledging how wrong her Yelp comments were. “There are no two ways about it,” she wrote. “Not only were they insensitive in matters related to class and race; they demean the values to which I hold myself and which I offer as a member of this community.”
Of course, there would be a decent amount of damage control on Chu’s part. Not only has she been placed on administrative leave, she is barred from participating in commencement or any direct dealings with students at the university for the duration of this academic year. Her seemingly insincere apology is ironically stereotypical for those who have been caught red handed performing dirty deeds they never expected to come to light.
At what point would faith and trust ever be restored in Chu as not only a dean, but decent human being? These are not remarks made by an “uneducated moron” as she would say. This woman has shown that despite her lengthy resume as an educator and advocate, her true colors are not pretty. While she should be fired altogether, the authorities at Yale haven’t commented on June Chu’s future with the university. This isn’t a young college student struggling to find their way who made an err in judgement while ranting about terrible customer service. This is a grown woman who has been selected above her peers by a prestigious university and charged with shaping the future of the United States. There is no excuse for her damaging comments, nor is there a place for them within an institution of higher learning.
