Christian Head, Black UCLA Medical School Doctor, Files Lawsuit After Alleged Gorilla Depiction

A faculty professor who filed a racial discrimination suit against UCLA, saying that the school ignored racial slights against him over his career, has taken to YouTube to air his grievances.

In a six-minute YouTube video, Dr. Christian Head, an otolaryntologist at the UCLA's medical school, says he was the subject of repeated criticism during an annual event in which residents performed mocking roasts of their professors.

"In the final slide was a photo…of a gorilla, on all fours, with my head Photoshopped onto the gorilla with a smile on my face," Head says in the video. "And a Caucasian man, completely naked, sodomizing me from behind, and my boss' head Photoshopped onto the person smiling."

Head later complained to his superiors at the hospital, but says he was told "if you want tenure, [and] make a big stink about this, they're going to crush you."

After he was awarded tenure, Head said that the university cut his pay in retaliation for his complaints and blocked him from teaching.

The video states that Head is the first and only African-American tenured professor at UCLA's department of head and neck surgery. Late last month, Head filed suit against the California Board of Regents, the body that governs the University of California system. According to the L.A. Times, the suit specifically names Marilene Wang and Gerald Burke, who are also otolaryntologists. Head accuses them of making "inappropriate racial comments and insinuations about blacks" over several years.

But a spokesperson for the university told the Los Angeles Times that university officials had "investigated this matter and found that the evidence does not substantiate the claims of unlawful activity."

An online petition accompanying the video was addressed to UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, and called on him "to take the necessary actions to restore UCLA’s reputation as a renowned academic institution that embraces diversity, promotes equality and treats its diverse employees, faculty and students with the dignity they deserve." The petition amassed 1700 signatures as of press time.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that the video referred to Head as the only African-American tenured professor at UCLA's school of medicine. The video actually states that Head is the only African-American tenured professor at the school's department of head and neck surgery.

From our partners

• Modern Day Matchmaker: 10 Ways To Improve Your Marriage While You're Still Single - ESSENCE
• In Hedge Fund Manager's Last Hours Of Freedom, An Attempt At One Last Victim - www.blackenterprise.com
• ‘I Can't Stop Sexting My Ex-Hubby! Am I Cheating?' - www.essence.com

Comments

[DrTCH]

01:29 PM on 06/29/2012

Am just now hearing an interview with Dr. Head, and find his account convincing. Pretty shame- ful treatment.

[Juan Pablo Rivas]

12:21 PM on 05/31/2012

I know that asians have similar living standards with whites (understanding this as the highter and "more worthy" living conditions), but it sucks when they also buy the idea that they are somewhat superior just because they live better and have a lighter skin color, you're not white, and i'm not saying white is better or superior, but when asians cooperate in racial slurs against other minorities is a prove that the they are not really aware about what are they doing, I wonder what Dr. Wang would think about videos like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNuyDZevKrU

[lxlee86]

04:30 PM on 06/05/2012

Way to grossly generalize what's going on. I'm not going to label every single white person in the world as racist because this Dr. Burke is. By the same token, I don't think I'll be going ahead to say that all Asians are racist because this Dr. Wang is. You think you're better than Burke and Wang because you think you're not racist, but by the way that you've just singled out and implied an inferior mindset to an entire race shows how much better you are compared to the people that are really reprehensible in this article.

[Juan Pablo Rivas]

08:47 AM on 06/06/2012

where I did say all whites are racist because this? where I did say all asians are racist because this?, you should understand that racism is not a reciprocal issue, it doesn't affect us in the same way, when I put asians and whites in the same "racism's bag" is because this society has established a range of hierarchical order where whites are in the first place and asians are very close to them, this often implies that Asians feel more licensed to be superior to people of other races, as if they were not victims of racism and other prejudices, you don't know probably what means to be denigrated as a monkey because you're not black and you don't have to deal with it, it sucks when people treats you like that it in spite of your educational and professional success, this is not an inferiority complex, is a call for respect

[roissyman]

10:48 PM on 05/30/2012

It’s just a coincidence that this “racism problem” only exists in White countries; and it’s just a coincidence that this “racism problem” can only be solved by bringing in hundreds of millions of third worlders into White countries and ONLY White countries? It's genocide. Anti-racism is code word for anti-White.

[toorude369]

04:00 PM on 06/04/2012

actually in africa there is racism by "ligher skinned" africans against "darker skinned" africans. and millions of people may not know that slavery was alive and well in africa before any slaves were imported into the US. not saying any of this is right, just a fact.

[phawk3]

10:49 AM on 07/18/2012

There are very dark, indigenous people of America...all were not "imported...anyway, you can get white from black, but you can't get black from white, genetically speaking...original humans were of melanin rich pigmentation and all have been scientifically proven to have derived in that manner, We are all human with no innate superior qualities assigned to any "so-called" race. Except maybe the protection provided by melanin. Frances Cress Welsing had an eye opening theory as to why Europeans have re-written history to depict themselves in a more favorable light...they are a monority that will loose their identity upon "mixing"

[dbest38420]

04:23 PM on 06/04/2012

What? This post is a code for ignorance. Racism is found in black countries too - ever heard of South Africa?

[TurnToTheLeft]

03:19 PM on 05/26/2012

2012 - Things have not gotten that much better. Institutional racism is endemic. UCLA will try to cover it up by saying Dr. Head has a "Chip On His Shoulder" - The same response whites have been giving to those who decry institutional racism decades after we started cracking the all-white ceiling. Secretly punishing those who dare to criticize.

[karvictho]

01:47 AM on 06/11/2012

I agree, but want to add that Wang and Burke's actions are also forms of workplace bullying. I have read that bullying is not only done by angry/mean oafs to hurt people's feelings but is perhaps more often done in order to keep the bully high up on the hierarchy (of what ever group -- school/work/sports team). There is no way for me to know why these incidents happened, but I wouldn't be surprised if Dr. Head's colleagues felt their jobs or opportunities to advance were threatened by Dr. Head -- which is why they would try and intimidate him out of his position. I'm glad he's taken notes and is making this public. I hope those folks who made the comments and slides, etc. also get brought in to if nothing else, explain themselves and offer a public apology.

[Alverene Dixon Butler]

12:25 AM on 06/12/2012

No, they'll just say, "he's playing the race card".

[tonester64]

12:35 PM on 05/26/2012

Here's a question for everyone, just to try to be more inclusive: is the reason why the issue of race and bigotry, which persists in all forms from benign to extreme, probably due to the overarching competing force of capitalism and free enterprise? And, is it possible the social constructs developed since (from as far back when Darwin's Theory of Evolution was published) are designed to lend to the notion of racial superiority Whites are privileged with?

I hope that wasn't too leading. I'll say upfront, I happen believe so on both questions. In the end, I feel it's nothing to consider your race so grand if the gains you perceived to have made were achieved through plunder, denial of, exploit of, dominance of, or conquering of non-white peoples. In other words, Whites can claim to have won battles but not with respect to winning the minds and hearts of those denied, exploited, dominated, and conquered.

[phawk3]

11:26 AM on 07/18/2012

Let the church say..."AMEN!!!"

[tonester64]

11:26 AM on 05/26/2012

I have a teenage son aspiring to be a doctor. He was surprised to learn there could be this mindset in the healthcare industry. I corrected him, of course, by helping understand that unfortunately there are still people out in power who carry on their twisted views. Basically, I told my son to walk with his eyes open and to be aware and to confront it whenever possible. This issue sounds justified. I hope the Doctor wins his lawsuit.

[SouthAustin]

11:21 AM on 05/26/2012

He's better man than me. If I were at that event they'd need all the surgeons in the room and then some to remove my size 12 foot from up the derriere of the guy's boss.

[RhymeAndReason]

07:54 PM on 06/04/2012

LOL

[Aaliyah tayor]

11:20 AM on 05/26/2012

I haven't seen the video but just the description is horrifing and discusting. To become a doctor requires tremendous sacrifies and commentment. To achieve success and recognition is wonderful ,however, the way you express that does matter. To attempt strip this man of his manhood and dignity is discusting...

WE AS A NATION WE NEED TO RESPECT AND RAISE OUR LEVEL OF CONCIOUSNESS AND UNDERSTAND THAT DIGNITY IS A BIRTHRIGHT NOT A PRIVILEDGE....

[tonester64]

10:55 AM on 05/26/2012

Unbelievable. If this is endemic as the example of idiocy demonstrates, then perhaps it's best to not 'try' to assimilate. I used to believe in assimilation myself to the extent it meant learning as much as possible to respect and absorb into one's being the culture and identity of one's own country, but I'm rethinking this over the years as it usually meant -- at the expense of one's own dignity and self worth. So my view is slowly evolving to a different notion that believes assimilation may no longer apply. The American ideal for everyone is to strive but reality is extend to few based on the color of the skin. It's pitiful that many of us know (who have even the slightest intellectual capacity) we're not unalike, except to the extent one was nurtured, and yet we create social systems to perpetuate inequity. It's pitiful that when the inequity yields its sum, we point and dare say the proof is in the pudding.

I'd rather teach my kids the facts -- prejudice is the same no matter how it's portrayed, and that bigotry and hypocracy are all social cousins, no matter if the 'white' person is Hispanic, Aisan, or White and whether they 'educated' or not. Shoot for expanding one's own mind through education and developing capability, and for the economic advantages it offers instead.

[INCLUSIVETHINK]

10:14 AM on 05/26/2012

The fact that so many people are surprised that this happens is itself a commentary on white denial. African Americans and other peoples of color are ROUTINELY and PROFOUNDLY disadvantaged while whites are advantaged in the United States of America. We who are white need to acknowledge this, and work like hell to change this. In every facet of life, from the granting of credit, to the access of education and medical treatment, to the treatment by the "justice" system, whites are advantaged and blacks and other people of color are disadvantaged - and we have a legacy of this from generation to generation.

The time for change is now! Recognize the inequity, and work to overcome it!

[Alverene Dixon Butler]

02:03 PM on 06/11/2012

They would rather burst hell wide open than right these wrongs!!

[kasele1]

10:14 AM on 05/24/2012

The truth about how this country was built needs to be taught in school to all of our (US) children. The truth of the shameful practice of enslaving other human beings. The truth of the lies, manilpulations, cruelties and utter horrors used to keep those human beings subjugated.
As a healthy human being, can you imagine treating another human being as such?

Does the truth have a place here? Are we willing to see the truth?

Racism is insanity. People have the strongest hate against people they have never met. Once you get to know people as they are, it is difficult to hate. It is easy to hate from a distance. If truth and love are at the forefront-the hate will fall away.

The truth of our history needs to be faced, before we move on in any real way. There is still a lot of pain that has not been acknowledged. Maybe then we can look at each other and see each other for the first time.
We are taught to compare ourselves to one another. This does not help us to see each other in truth. Comparing ourselves to one another keeps us in battle...it keeps us wanting to be seen as better than others. Stop. Take a real look-not comparing-simply seeing that other being as he/she is. We are all quite beauty as we are.

[Truth 19]

12:49 AM on 05/25/2012

Truth has no color. This is why Black people must learn and respect our history( which starts with the origin of The Creators of the heavens and earth. Slavery is a part of our history, but it is vital to know. We should take some notes from the Jewish people.

Peace !

[kasele1]

12:36 PM on 05/25/2012

We all (whites and blacks in America-particularly) need to respect our history. There is so much of a sense of shame in the consciousness of having been enslaved. It is even more shameful to be an enslaver---This is the part that people pretend they do not see. I don't say this in judgment, but in recognition of the truth.
The truth of it...many horrible acts were committed on this land. The truth is sometimes painful, but the truth is healing. Many horrible things have happened and if one is honest-it is painful to be any part of a terrible act (the one committing the act or the victim).

"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places"
-Ernest Hemingway

That quote is so true-when we are willing to see the truth.

[tonester64]

11:00 AM on 05/26/2012

Hmm. Truth19, are you suggesting Black people don't know or respect American history? And your reference to 'the creators' means what?

[Alverene Dixon Butler]

12:31 AM on 06/12/2012

Very well put!

[franklma]

08:45 AM on 05/23/2012

Thanks Dr. Martin Luther King for integration and assimilation!

[Truth 19]

10:40 AM on 05/24/2012

Integration made our race weak. After 1865, Blacks established numerous towns within twelve years of being "freed". However, The Great Comprise of 1877, KKK and black codes stop this growth.

We even had a Black Wall street. They burned it down.

Genesis 15:13-15 Let's do it again.

[franklma]

07:57 PM on 05/25/2012

I was being sarcastic by my remark. I meant thanks for nothing MLK!

[franklma]

08:41 AM on 05/23/2012

Black people, we went around the block during 45 years, and ended up right where we started - Jim Crow, Lynching, peonage, etc. The list goes on and on.

[RhymeAndReason]

08:00 PM on 06/04/2012

Nope, blacks aren't back where they started and don't let anyone really make you think that. Sure it's still hard and there are problems but much has changed and there is still more to do. Frankly, some whts are working overtime to pull blks back because the fact that so many have caught up and passed them is a thorn in their side—of course I say, if they're not further along after all the advantages of the head-start, in Herman speak, I say to them : don't blame affirmative action.....blame yourselves.

[AnthroDem]

10:39 PM on 05/22/2012

Actually, its not an insult to sue over if your White and get called a 'Gorilla'. Racism is not the actual problem, cultural 'diversity' would be.

[Janel Forsythe]

11:51 AM on 05/22/2012

Well, this just goes to show you how race is still a problem in society.