Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, Chair of Psychiatry at Columbia University, has been suspended indefinitely after a tweet in which he referred to a Black model as a "freak of nature."
Lieberman's suspension stems from his reaction to a photo of American model Nyakim Gatwech, who is of South Sudanese descent, shared to Twitter on February 17. He tweeted "Whether a work of art or freak of nature she’s a beautiful sight to behold" in response to the photo of Gatwech, which resulted in nearly immediate public outcry.
The post, which erroneously stated Gatwech was in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the darkest skin in the world, can be found below.
It is not a work of art made of black stone or granite. She is Sudanese model Nyakim Gatwech. The most beautiful among the black beauties. She is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the darkest skin ever seen on earth. She is also known as the QUEEN OF DARK.pic.twitter.com/gbyoNizcEJ— Mynameis...Miro (@Mynameis...Miro) 1645138518
Lieberman deleted the tweet and apologized shortly after the public callouts began, according to screenshots shared by others, but it was far too little too late.
He soon deactivated his Twitter account completely as both laypeople and medical professionals alike called for his removal from his position as Chair of Psychiatry.
But, but he's "living and learning"...as if a 60 year old white man hasn't lived and learned enough to avoid such an "indiscretion". So annoying— Melanie O'Donnell (@Melanie O'Donnell) 1645798497
Hey @ColumbiaPsych you need to fire racist Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman IMMEDIATELY— Overthrower of Patriarchy (@Overthrower of Patriarchy) 1645533976
Many also commented on the prevalence of racism and implicit bias in medicine.
Prime example of racism and bias in medicine, as well as harmful fetishisation of Black women.. unacceptable.— Darlink \ud83d\udd17 (@Darlink \ud83d\udd17) 1645703797
Why we need more Black leaders in medicine...\n\nCalling us "Freaks of nature" is racist, fetishizes our bodies and is rooted in slavery and colonialism. Shameful. \n#medtwitter \n\nColumbia University Psychiatry Dept Chair Called Out For Racist Tweet | NewsOnehttps://newsone.com/4293983/columbia-university-psychiatry-department-chair-jeffrey-lieberman-racist-comment-black-model/\u00a0\u2026— Ima Ebong, MD (@Ima Ebong, MD) 1645631621
He was suspended as chair of the department of psychiatry and removed as psych-in-chief at CUIMC/NY-Presbyterian. However, staffers want more accountability and are working toward that. That part is developing.— Blocka Khan (@Blocka Khan) 1645638663
When I consider the fact that Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman was the head of psychiatry at Columbia, a prestigious medical school, and former president of the American Psychiatry Association, it\u2019s easier to understand why the DSM-V is such a mess.— Bryan Leyva, MD\u2695\ufe0f (@Bryan Leyva, MD\u2695\ufe0f) 1645661571
Ayana Harry of PIX11 spoke with Gatwech about Lieberman's tweet and subsequent behavior.
"I was bullied before."
"I worked so hard to build tough skin."
"I’ve worked so hard to be able to be in a room where I’m being discriminated [against], where I’m being looked at sideways, as if people are disgusted with me—with something I can’t change."
You can view the interview below:
FREAK OF NATURE?\nI spoke with model Nyakim Gatwech after a Columbia U. Dept Chair posted a tweet about her skin tone questioning if it\u2019s \u201ca work of art or freak of nature.\u201d\nJeffrey Lieberman apologized, Columbia suspended him. \nMy report, 5pm, @pix11news\n#Nyakim\n#NyakimGatwechpic.twitter.com/qJbb4ntpcO— Ayana Harry PIX11 (@Ayana Harry PIX11) 1645717225
Lieberman also reportedly resigned his position as executive director of the New York State Psychiatric Institute, according to the New York Times.