A 'disturbing trend': Duke president issues statement following coffee shop firing
Three days after two baristas were fired from a coffee shop on Duke University's campus, President Vincent Price issued a statement linking that clash of cultures - a Duke vice president was offended by rap lyrics playing over the coffeeshop sound system - to other recent racially-tinged incidents on campus, saying they illustrate a "disturbing trend."
Posted — UpdatedOn Friday, Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs at Duke, walked into Joe Van Gogh to purchase some items when he heard music lyrics playing from the speakers that he said were inappropriate.
"I expressed my objections to the staff with whom I’ve always had a cordial relationship," he said in a statement.
Moneta said he then contacted the director of Duke dining to express his concerns, and that was the end of his involvement.
The two employees working at the time were let go from their jobs on Monday.
Moneta went on to say that how the management at Joe Van Gogh, which is a contractor to Duke, responded to the employees' behavior was solely their decision.
Robbie Roberts, the shop's owner, issued a statement Wednesday apologizing to the people involved.
"We attempted to understand Duke’s position in this case, but we should have taken a different approach in making personnel decisions. As the owner of the business, I take full responsibility for Joe Van Gogh’s actions. I apologize to all of the people directly involved and those who have been touched or offended, of which there are many. We are taking steps to remedy this matter, but all company personnel issues are private and will remain private,” Roberts said in part.
The rapper whose song it was responded on Twitter, saying Moneta didn't care about anybody but himself.
Related Topics
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.