This petition signed by university professors from around the world asks the President of the United States to stop referring to students, and faculty and staff colleagues from Africa, Haiti and El Salvador as immigrants from "shithole countries." We further request the President to treat students, faculty and staff from Africa, Haiti and El Salvador with complete respect.
Why is this important?
I teach for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, and both on my campus, and in my professional network as a professor of world literatures, I have the good fortune to teach and interact with students, faculty and staff from several countries in Africa, Haiti, and El Salvador.
I respectfully ask the US House and the Senate to publicly censure the president of the United States and rectify the negative and undignified outcomes of the vulgar remarks made by the president against ordinary human beings living their day-to-day lives in Africa, Haiti and El Salvador.
I further request and encourage each university and college in the world to celebrate the literatures and cultures of Africa, Haiti and El Salvador. Organize a book festival by authors from Africa, Haiti, and El Salvador on your campuses. Plan a reading on your campus on the literatures of Africa, Haiti and El Salvador. Celebrate Africa day, Haiti Day and El Salvador day on your campuses. Thank you. Gayatri Devi, Associate Professor of English, Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.
