Dear Dean Dorothy Bland,

We hope this email message finds you well. We at the AEJMC’s Minorities and Communication Division (MAC) and Commission on the Status of Minorities (CSM) are aware of the issues surrounding reaction to your Dallas Morning News article, “I Was Caught ‘Walking While Black.’” We wanted to inform you that we strongly condemn the move and online petition to remove you from the Dean’s position of the Mayborn School of Journalism.

We believe you have every right to express your perspective and feelings about the incident you encountered during your walk in your neighborhood on Oct. 24. The AEJMC’s Minorities and Communication Division (MAC) is committed to advancing research, teaching and professional freedom and responsibility scholarship and initiatives that explore the relationship between racial and ethnic minorities and mass communication. The Commission on the Status of Minorities (CSM) fights to advance the cause of historically underrepresented groups in media, academia and AEJMC.

MAC and CSM recognize the importance of leadership diversity in journalism and mass communication education. Therefore, we wish you much success as you continue to lead journalism and mass communication programs. You have been a valued member of the Minorities and Communication Division and Commission on the Status of Minorities. We greatly appreciate your contribution to our division and commission.

Please let us know if we can be supportive to you in any way since the situation you have experienced and are experiencing is not an easy process.

Sincerely,

Officers of Minorities and Communication Division (2015 – 2016)

Officers of Commission on the Status of Minorities (2015 – 2016)