Fallout from Wright award won't linger, experts say
Landon Dinnin
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Despite negative reactions from many students, alumni and faculty over the Brite Divinity School's decision to honor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the public effects of its decision might fade fast, a public relations expert said.
Brite plans to honor Wright, Barack Obama's pastor whose controversial remarks set off what Wright described as a "media frenzy," in absentia during an event in Dallas tomorrow.
Doug Newsom, director of graduate studies in advertising/public relations, said if it were not an election year and Sen. Barack Obama were not a presidential candidate, no one would have had any complaints.
She said she would be surprised if there were many long-term negative effects to Brite's reputation for honoring Wright.
The event hosted by Brite, an independent institution but an official graduate school of the university, was scheduled to be held on TCU's campus. Newsom said the TCU Board of Trustees' decision to move the event off campus and Wright's eventual cancellation of his Dallas trip Wednesday for security reasons is of little importance and won't impact the public's opinion of Brite.
The ceremonies Wright was scheduled to participate in will go ahead as planned, beginning with events at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas. Another event scheduled for the Kelly Alumni Center will take place at Paul Quinn College in Dallas and the award ceremony honoring Wright will be at Friendship-West on Saturday.
Britt Todd, president of the public relations firm Todd Co. and a TCU alumnus, said he doesn't believe prospective students or employers will look down on Brite for honoring Wright because of the school's established image.
"I think that the long-standing reputation of the Brite Divinity School is so well entrenched and well branded that this is just a fleeting moment that will be forgotten quickly," Todd said.
On campus, student and alumni reactions have been mixed, with some expressing disgust for the decision to continue to honor Wright, and others coming to defense of the Chicago pastor.
Sophomore religion major Joel Wassner said although he does not agree with what Wright said, he does think his comments were taken out of context and that other people are uncomfortable with what he has to say.
Wright timeline
March 13: ABC News airs snippets of Wright’s sermons, in which he accuses the U.S. government of terrorism and racism.
March 14: Obama’s campaign announces Wright’s removal from its African American Religious Leadership Committee.
Wright’s church in Chicago reports a bomb threat.
Wright’s church releases a statement defending the pastor.
March 17: Brite Divinity School issues a statement reaffirming its decision to honor Wright at the State of the Black Church Summit.
Chancellor Victor Boschini issues a statement distancing the university from Brite, stating TCU would not give the award.
March 18: Obama condemns Wright’s remarks in a speech in Philadelphia.
March 25: Wright cancels his appearances at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston and Bible-Based Fellowship Church of Temple Terrace in Tampa, Fla.
March 26: Wright cancels his appearance at Black Church Summit.
COMPILED BY: Staff reporter Julieta Chiquillo
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Sharon Thomas
posted 3/28/08 @ 8:51 AM CST
You noted that if it were not an election year noone would have objected to Mr. Wright coming to the Brite Divinity School to be honored. Most people would still object, the only problem being we would not have known what he had said in the past. (Continued…)
experts say?
posted 3/30/08 @ 4:29 PM CST
Is that a typo... don't you meant "experts pray"?
Jeff
posted 4/03/08 @ 10:10 PM CST
What expert? I don't think people are going to forget. The media will not let people forget. Rev Wright is still in the news.
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