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T H E I N D E P E N D E N T D A I LY AT D U K E U N I V E R S I T Y
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019 DUKECHRONICLE.COM
Keohane painting removed ‘Untitled 1’ taken down after student complaints
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEENTH YEAR, ISSUE 13
Professor files discrimination lawsuit against Duke By Mona Tong Local and National News Editor
The humble origins of “Untitled 1” began around 2012— not 2016, as the painting’s placard claimed—according to Fick. He mentioned he was present when the work was created by Dobson, who paints under the Big Trouble Studios name.
A Duke professor of medicine is suing the University for gender and racial discrimination. The plaintiff, Manal Abdelmalek, a tenured professor of medicine and physician at Duke Medical Center in the gastroenterology division, filed the suit against Duke July 3. Abdemalek, who is Egyptian and immigrated to the United States as a child, had been “subjected to discrimination on the basis of her gender and her race/ national origin,” according to her complaint. Duke filed a defense in the case Sept. 13. Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations, wrote in an email that as a matter of policy, the University does not comment on active litigation or personnel matters. He added that “as an employer, Duke is deeply committed to equity and inclusion for all faculty and staff.” Stewart Fisher—Abdemalek’s attorney from the Glenn, Mills, Fisher and Mahoney law firm in Durham—told The Chronicle that it will be “a long time” before the court decides the outcome of this case, as the lawsuit is still in its beginning stages. “I really admire Dr. Abdemalek and I think she’s been treated wrongfully, so I look forward to moving forward with her case,” Fisher said. Lawyers from Ogletree Deakins, the firm representing Duke, did not respond to a request for comment. The complaint claimed Duke Medical Center has a “history of favoring men over women [for] promotion and compensation” and a “pattern and practice” of paying male employees and white employees more than female employees and non-white employees who have “equal or better training, experience and performance.” Abdelmalek’s complaint also accused Duke Medical Center of “more readily promoting men over women,” and of denying leadership position opportunities to ethnic minority women with equal or more experience than others. Duke denied these allegations in its answer to the complaint. Andrew Muir, professor of medicine and GI division chair, presented salary equity data for the division Nov. 28, 2017, according to the complaint. The presentation demonstrated that women were being paid at least 10% less than men working in the same jobs. Duke’s answer stated that Muir examined salary equity data and presented his findings but denies that the presentation showed that women are paid less than men. Although the salary data wasn’t sorted by ethnicity, the complaint stated, “on information and belief, nonwhite doctors in the GI Division are paid less than comparable white doctors” and “non-US origin doctors in the GI Division are paid less than comparable US origin doctors.” The complaint also noted that Muir developed a bias against her that was consistent with “historical norms and culture of the Duke University and its leadership.”
See PAINTING on Page 3
See LAWSUIT on Page 4
Nathan Luzum | Managing Editor The painting entitled “Untitled 1” has been removed from Keohane 4B dorm after students complained that it freaked them out.
By Nathan Luzum Managing Editor
Carter Fornash Features Managing Editor
The Louvre displays the “Mona Lisa,” the Metropolitan Museum of Art features “Starry Night” and Keohane 4B dormitory boasts a work of art known as “Untitled 1.” The piece—an abstract work that was created at the Mural Durham Festival—stood near the entrance to Keohane 4B for around two years. However, in response to a post on the Fix My Campus Facebook page and a survey revealing student concerns about the artwork, “Untitled 1” has been taken down and temporarily placed in storage. Multiple students told The Chronicle that the style of the piece elicited a feeling of unease. For senior Lucia Helena Mees, the artwork’s appearance only adds to an already stressful atmosphere at Duke. “It’s just not the sort of relaxing, colorful painting I was expecting to see on a college dorm hallway, and it’s a frightening scene to see late at night,” Mees wrote in an email. “In a high-stress environment like Duke, I’d expect to go home and relax, which is hard when you see paintings like those around.” Artist Joe Dobson, who created the work, acknowledged that the painting might make some people feel uneasy. He explained that he often created works while “sneaking around at night” and that his pieces might reflect some of that energy.
Econ 101 first-years can’t get Dean’s List First-years taking Economics won’t be eligible for Dean’s List.
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“So what fits, at least in my humble opinion, in the street doesn’t always translate to the comforts of a dorm, living room, etc.,” he wrote in an email to The Chronicle. “So if [Duke] would ever like to have me back, I’d be happy to paint something with some more of that positive energy, and hopefully bring them nothing but good vibes.” Bill Fick, a lecturing fellow in the department of art, art history and visual studies, was present when the painting was created. He admitted it was understandable that some students might not find it pleasing to the eye, but argued in favor of the work. “I can understand the image not being of interest or folks not liking it, but it’s definitely a very well made spray painted work of art,” he wrote in an email. “Does it have aesthetic value? I definitely think it does and follows a wellestablished tradition of street art and graffiti.” Fick added that if the work ended up being removed for good, he would be “more than happy” to welcome it into the art department’s building.
The origins of Keohane’s iconic work
Women’s basketball schedule released fall
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Key matchups include marquee Notre Dame and North Carolina.
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