Jeffrey Lieberman, chairman of Columbia University’s Department of Psychiatry, was removed Wednesday after commenting on “racist and sexist” comments about a black Sudanese model
Columbia University’s chair of psychiatry was removed Wednesday as he apologized for tweeting a “racist and sexist” comment describing a black model as a “freak of nature.”
Jeffrey Lieberman responded to a tweet Monday that falsely cited Sudanese model Someone Gatweh, 29, as the winner of the Guinness Book of World Records for the man with the darkest skin on Earth, something Guinness did not follow.
“Whether it’s a work of art or a freak of nature, it’s a beautiful sight,” Lieberman tweeted to Gatweh, who is known as the “Queen of Darkness.”
After the reaction to the comment, Lieberman deleted the tweet and posted an apology, saying: “My sincere apologies for any insult and indiscretion. Living and learning. ‘
He then sent an email to colleagues on Tuesday, saying he was “deeply ashamed” of the tweets and the “racist and sexist” remark, The New York Times reported.
“An apology from me to the Black Community, to the women and to all of you is not enough,” Lieberman wrote in the email. “I have hurt many and I am beginning to understand the work ahead in order to make the necessary personal changes and regain your trust over time.”
In a statement, Columbia University said Lieberman was removed from his role not only as chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, but also removed as chief psychiatrist at New York’s Presbyterian Hospital on Wednesday. The university said the decision was final.
Lieberman responded to a tweet Monday that falsely cited Sudanese model Someone Gatweh as the Guinness Book of World Records for the man with the darkest skin on Earth.
Lieberman deleted the tweet after the reaction and apologized for “any insult”
Nyakim Gatwech, 29, is a Sudanese model known as the “Queen of Darkness”. She is pictured attending a fashion show in California on July 24
Lieberman also resigned as executive director of the New York State Psychiatric Institute on Tuesday, with new acting director Thomas Smith condemning Lieberman’s actions.
“We condemn the racism and sexism reflected in Dr. Lieberman’s tweets and acknowledge and share the hurt, sadness, confusion and anxious emotions you may be experiencing,” Smith said in a statement.
Gatwech said Lieberman’s tweet drew negative attention to her, saying she had to repeatedly contend with claims that she had the darkest skin in the world.
“Unfortunately, I believe this has negatively affected my Instagram account,” she wrote on Instagram about the problem.
“I worked really hard to create my page and use it as a platform to promote self-acceptance, body positivity and, of course, partnerships with my brand, but it’s about self-love above all else.
I don’t buy followers and for those who believe otherwise, I don’t need to make up lies about likes … I love my dark skin and my nickname “Queen of Darkness”, but I never said I was the darkest person on earth .
Gatwech said Lieberman’s tweet drew negative attention to her. She said she has worked hard on her modeling career and likes her nickname “Queen of Darkness”.
The model revealed that she had to repeatedly refute claims that her skin was the darkest in the world and that she did not want the lie to spread.
Gatwech responded to Lieberman’s tweet on his Instagram page
Lieberman’s comments were heavily criticized before his removal, as many called the doctor for his harsh comment and called for his dismissal.
Dr Daniel Block, a fellow psychiatrist, tweeted that Lieberman’s comments were bad enough in themselves, but even worse given his prestigious position.
“It is unconscious for someone to publish this everywhere – it is nothing but hurtful and promotes racism,” Block wrote. “Being a psychiatrist with such power and authority makes it much worse. An apology is no longer enough – it’s just words.
Twitter user with the handle Nicole Luongo agreed that it is alarming someone in Lieberman’s position to make these comments.
“Being a psychiatrist is extremely important here,” Lungo wrote. “If he had expressed these views during a meeting, any reaction that was not modest, measured and polite would have been pathological.
“By virtue of his profession, he has the power to diagnose and thus control the story.”
Another Twitter user named Ashley wrote “if you don’t fire this person” while tagging the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University.
Lieberman’s tweet received a backlash on Twitter, as many called it inappropriate and called for him to be fired from Columbia University
Jeremy Vandiver, another Twitter user, also criticized Lieberman’s apology, saying: “He apologized only for ‘any insult’ and not for his actual comment.”
Another Twitter user named Erika also criticized Lieberman, writing: “He doesn’t have a job to be a chair OR to teach students. And I said that to the acting dean much earlier today.
Robert Klitzman, a professor of psychiatry in Colombia who has worked with Lieberman for decades, told the Times it was an “unfortunate” episode, adding that he “really emphasizes how deep and widespread some of our own unconscious biases can be.” .
“I think this incident speaks to the need to be always vigilant in realizing our own unconscious biases,” Klitzman said.