Law Dean Lectures on Diversity at Lawrence Tech

The Lawrence Technological University College of Arts and Sciences hosted a memorable lecture on diversity on the evening of November 5, 2007.  The speaker was Dean Frank H. Wu of the Wayne State University Law School.

Dr. Hsiao-Ping Moore, Dean of the LTU College of Arts and Sciences, had organized the proceedings and served as moderator.  She first introduced LTU President Lewis Walker who welcomed Dean Wu and then she introduced the very highly credentialed speaker.

His lecture centered on one of the first recognized “hate” crimes in the history of American jurisprudence:  the murder of Vincent Chin, a Chinese-American youth who was mistakenly thought by his assassins to be responsible for their loss of employment in the American automobile industry. 

Dean Wu had the full attention of a packed house (including Provost Maria Vaz and all of the LTU academic Deans) in the Lear Auditorium on campus as he methodically, using his ability to conjure up graphic mental images with the word pictures he painted, set forth the full horror of this American tragedy which occurred in 1982.

The perpetrators managed to escape meaningful punishment.  Vincent Chin died on the evening of his bachelor party prior to his planned marriage.  He died saying “…it’s not fair.”  The audience was, of course, fully aware of the evils of racism and discrimination but Dean Wu left them with renewed determination to escalate the ongoing battle against the forces of bigotry and discrimination.

The applause continued for an extended period of time following the lecture and again after Dean Wu responded to a number of questions from the audience.  It was clear to all that “Discrimination is not just a matter of black and white” but is a disease that threatens all of us.

For those who are interested in viewing the lecture, please contact the Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office (248-204-3500 or scidean@ltu.edu) for a copy of the video recording.