UO professor who donned blackface apologizes
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A University of Oregon law professor who donned blackface as part of a costume at her Halloween party has apologized.
The Register-Guard reports Saturday (http://bit.ly/2ep3AyS) that Nancy Shurtz says she wore the costume in hopes of stimulating a discussion about race relations.
Shurtz says she dressed up as Dr. Damon Tweedy, who wrote a best-selling memoir called “Black Man in a White Coat: A Doctor’s Reflections on Race and Medicine.”
The recent autobiography recounts the racism Tweedy encountered in medical school.
Shurtz remains on paid administrative leave.
A petition is circulating that asks for her resignation but another petition is circulating that defends her actions as free speech.
Shurtz wore a white coat and stethoscope with her black face paint.