LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A law professor at the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas Little Rock is suing two African American students who he claims damaged his reputation by insinuating he is racist.
The professor, Richard Peltz is also suing the W. Harold Flowers Law Society, the university’s chapter of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), and the president of the organization. Peltz claims that all named in the lawsuit have defamed his character and distorted his remarks about affirmative action.
Students wrote a six-page memo to the law school’s dean, Charles Goldner, reporting on the class discussion about race and affirmative action. In the memo, Goldner said, students accused Peltz of saying things that were meant to attack and demean African Americans.
Many educators and students are concerned about the impact the lawsuit will have on the freedom of expression and academic liberties at campuses throughout the nation.
Since filing the lawsuit, Peltz has been removed from teaching all required courses.
