Speaking Chinese = No Job? The Full Story of Duke's Anti-Chinese Incident
On January 26, 2019, a piece of news exploded among international students.
Megan Neely, the director of graduate studies in Duke's biostatistics department, sent a mass email demanding that Chinese not be spoken in the department, using unreasonable language and implying a threat that faculty would note the names of students speaking Chinese and "keep an eye on" these Chinese students when providing internships and other opportunities.
The original email reads:
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The content of the email is as follows, with threatening parts highlighted:
"Today, two faculty members came to ask me if I had photos of the students in the department, and I shared them. They then picked out some photos of Chinese students from those and said that they were speaking Chinese very loudly in the student lounge.
I asked them why they wanted to know who these Chinese students were, and they replied that this way they could remember them when these students apply for internships, interview, or request to work with them in the master's program.
These faculty members were very disappointed that these Chinese students did not cherish the great opportunity to practice English, and found it very impolite that they communicated in a language that not everyone on this floor could understand.
To all international students, I want to say: when you feel like speaking Chinese in this building, please make sure to keep this lesson firmly in mind.
I cannot imagine how difficult it is for you to come to the US and use a non-native language, but I still have great respect for what you do.
Nevertheless, I still recommend that you use 100% English on campus.
Those second-year students who are applying for internships, bear this in mind even more."
After this email was sent, it immediately drew protests from Duke students and the wider Chinese international student community. The email contained not only severe discrimination but even direct threats.
Previous Offenses: Neely Has Threatened Chinese Students for a Long Time
In fact, this was not the first time Ms. Neely had banned international students from speaking Chinese, nor the first time she threatened Chinese students with withholding internship opportunities.
Original email:
"Bottom line: continuing this practice may make it harder for you and future international students to get research opportunities while in the program."
(Continuing to speak Chinese will make it harder for you and future international students to access research opportunities in the biostatistics program at Duke.)
Neely's words are particularly ironic in the context of Duke's biostatistics department. Duke University has long promoted its diversity and has a long history of collaboration with China, including jointly establishing Duke Kunshan University.
From the student information posted on the biostats department's website, it is clear that the majority of both PhD and master's students are Asian, particularly Chinese. And these Asian students have contributed immensely to the school and department's research output and achievements.
Imagine, under the same circumstances,
Would the school ban Middle Eastern students from speaking Arabic?
Would it ban Mexican students from speaking Spanish?
What if it was French, German, or Hindi?
And what if the situation were reversed in China: would our professors ban foreign students from speaking English? Such a scenario is simply unimaginable in a country of etiquette like China.
Chinese International Students Strike Back
Chinese international students in the US are known for being humble and polite, and not aggressive, but that does not mean they can be pushed around. Even as newcomers in a foreign land, Chinese students will unite and defend their rights without giving an inch!
Chinese students at Duke came together, joined by law students and Chinese students from other schools, and drafted a protest letter overnight. According to insiders, a rights-protection group of over 100 people was formed that evening at Duke, and they also received legal assistance from professional lawyers.
One Chinese student at Duke said: "What we wanted to do was to play by their rules and win approval."
From its release at 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., they collected over 1,000 signatures in four hours from students on campus and supporters of Chinese students from all walks of life.
"As members of the Duke community, we embrace what the University espouses as its core institutional values: nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and mutual respect. We also believe that the University has the responsibility to invest in the personal growth of all of its members, regardless of their race, ethnicity, and national origin."
(As members of the Duke community, we believe that Duke University's teaching principles should be: non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and mutual respect. We also believe that the university has a responsibility to support the self-identity of all students, regardless of their race, creed, or national origin.)
A day later, the dean of Duke Medical School issued an apology, and the professor involved was removed from her position as director of the master's program.
"We want to clarify: when communicating with others, we will never impose any restrictions on the language used. Your job opportunities and recommendation letters will absolutely not be affected by the language you use outside of class, and your privacy will be well protected."
"Furthermore, Dr. Neely has been explicitly asked to step down from the master's program immediately."
In this incident, the rationality, calmness, and swift response of Chinese international students were praised by all sectors. According to insiders in the program, the department arranged for program leaders to meet with three Chinese student representatives on Sunday, January 26, at noon to discuss the matter. The university's response was very timely and also received widespread attention from American media.
Rights Protection: CheersYou（清柚教育） Has Always Been Taking Action
Although the university's response was relatively timely, the severity of the measures was far from satisfactory to students. Neely was only removed from the nominal position of master's program director but could still hold a faculty position at Duke, and she did not publicly apologize to the students. Moreover, any handling of the two faculty members mentioned in the letter was not addressed.
On the day of the incident, all staff at CheersYou（清柚教育） were outraged and immediately sent letters to the dean in charge of the program at Duke and the Chinese Embassy in the US, demanding justice for the students. We will continue to follow up on this matter.
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Over 90% of CheersYou（清柚教育） team members have been international students themselves. We have firsthand experience and deep empathy for the hardships and difficulties of international students.
Chinese international students seek truth and knowledge, traveling to the US to pursue their dreams and advanced learning. They leave their homes behind, facing an entirely unknown foreign land, with anxious parents and loved ones back home.
You are not alone!
CheersYou（清柚教育） is based in New York. In addition to helping students find suitable academic programs, for the past three years, CheersYou（清柚教育） has never stopped helping international students protect their rights.
We have exposed fraudulent summer schools and unscrupulous education agencies. When parents in China lose contact with their children, we mobilize our entire team to help locate them and reassure the parents. When students encounter scammers for 'currency exchange,' we help collect evidence and contact lawyers.
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In 2018, a CheersYou（清柚教育） student got into a conflict over a parking permit with a black person and was assaulted. When both the police and the school were slow to act, CheersYou（清柚教育） helped the student write a petition, comforted both the student and parents, contacted the embassy, and pressured the school, ultimately leading to a proper resolution.
CheersYou（清柚教育） has always maintained a mentor and friend relationship with international students. Students who receive offers and go on to their desired programs are called 'CheersYou（清柚教育） alumni' or 'CheersYou（清柚教育） graduates.' Chinese people are never pushovers. At any time, even a student studying alone is not vulnerable—thousands upon thousands of Chinese students will unite to back you up.
As an old Chinese saying goes, 'Don't stir up trouble when there is none, but don't be afraid when trouble comes.' This is the principle by which CheersYou（清柚教育） takes full responsibility for our students. International students cross oceans for their ideals and knowledge; we can endure hardships, but we will not be bullied.
No tolerance, no compromise, constant effort, continuous progress.
