Boston University president responds to neo-Nazi fliers

Two days after posters with neo-Nazi messages on them appeared on the campus of Boston University, the school’s president has responded with a letter to the school’s community.

In an Tuesday afternoon email obtained by Metro,BU President Robert Brown condemned the fliers, said he was “heartsick,” and that the incident is a”reminder that the human capacity for hate is deeply rooted and never as far from our daily lives as we would like or hope.”

Brown also said he would provide updates after campus police complete their investigation into who was responsible for the fliers and would “take action that is consistent with our established rules of conduct” if the culprit is identified.

Here is the letter in full:

Dear Friends,

Many of you will have seen or read news accounts about placards containing very hateful messages and symbols that were posted around our campus within the last 48 hours. I am heartsick that our community has to experience the hatefulness displayed by the individual or individuals who posted this material.

The Boston University Police Department is currently investigating the circumstances relating to the posting of these ugly placards in order to determine what actions we may take under law. If we determine that the individual or individuals responsible for the posting are Boston University affiliates, we will also take action that is consistent with our established rules of conduct. We willreport on this investigationinBU Todaywhen we have information that we can convey.

This incident is a reminder that the human capacity for hate is deeply rooted and never as far from our daily lives as we would like or hope. We also know that the human capacity for healing and renewal in a spirit of generosity and understanding is deeply rooted. I hope you readmy letterlast Friday about our commitment to broaden the mission of the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground. This commitment reflects our recognition that the work of finding common ground and promoting and nurturing respect for others never ends.

Sincerely,

Robert A. Brown

President