Lipscomb University’s president hosted a dinner for the school’s African-American students at his home, one that featured cotton-stalk centerpieces and a menu of traditional soul-food cuisine. The racially insensitive themes and decor — which many took as a sly nod to America’s legacy of slavery — did not, as you can imagine, go over well.
One student in attendance instagramed a photo of the centerpieces, saying that not only was the entire evening deeply offensive, but at a similar dinner for Latino students from the university the night before, the president served tacos.
University president Randy Lowry issued an apology on Facebook. He wrote, “The content of the centerpieces was offensive, and I could have handled the situation with more sensitivity. I sincerely apologize for the discomfort, anger or disappointment we caused and solicit your forgiveness.”
Lowry said he welcomed further dialogue on the matter. Whether any student of color at Lipscomb will actually feel compelled to take the president up on that offer remains to be seen.
