Several professors on Grounds collaborated to write a letter to University President Teresa Sullivan against the inclusion of a Thomas Jefferson quote in her post-election email Nov. 9.

In the email, Sullivan encouraged students to unite in the wake of contentious results, arguing that University students have the responsibility of creating the future they want for themselves.

Professors-ask-Sullivan-to-stop-quoting-Jefferson. Their letter to Sullivan argued that in light of Jefferson’s owning of slaves and other racist beliefs, she should refrain from quoting Jefferson in email communications.

The letter garnered 469 signatures — from both students and professors — before being sent out via email Nov. 11. Signees included Politics Prof. Nicholas Winter, Psychology Prof. Chad Dodson, Women, Gender and Sexuality Prof. Corinne Field, College Assistant Dean Shilpa Davé, Politics Prof. Lynn Sanders and many more. Asst. Psychology Prof. Noelle Hurd drafted the letter.

“The intention of the email was to start a conversation with our administration regarding ways to be more inclusive,” Hurd said in an email statement. “In the current climate, we must seize every opportunity to communicate that this university welcomes individuals from all backgrounds.”

Except, of course, dead white former Presidents, author of the Declaration of Independence, founder of the very school that they attend and slave holders. However you can’t hold an oxymoron like that against the signatories. Look at the list, not one scientist, not one professor from an intellectually significant discipline, instead the list is populated with hacks, frauds and poseurs.

Don’t tell Women, Gender and Sexuality Prof. Corinne Field that there is a Memorial dedicated to Jefferson in D.C.. She would probably agitate to have Jefferson’s statute removed in favor of the statute of a naked fat girl armed with a flashlight and hand mirror with legs splayed trying to observe the flower that is womanhood.