Howard University made headlines after replacing the American flag with the Pan-African flag and flying it at half-mast. This was in response to the grand jury’s decision to not indict police officer Darren Wilson for fatally shooting teenager Michael Brown.
Howard University Community:
A flag was raised on Howard University’s main flagpole by an unauthorized individual. While I openly support freedom of expression on our campus, I do not support unauthorized use of University property or official platforms to transmit these expressions of thought and ideas. The flag was removed. Our flagpole is reserved for the American and official Howard University flags.
The events in Ferguson, Mo., have resulted in the loss of a young African-American’s life. That remains the primary concern of the Howard University community. The social construct that exists in our country, which has led to this loss, is one that fortifies why Howard University exists. The core values of our University include truth,service, justice and freedom, which are the same values embodied in the American flag. Howard University must and will lead in finding solutions through our research and scholarship that contributes to our Nation’s betterment.
Wayne A.I. Frederick
President
Howard University
