What this is about

  Sometimes, a single choice gives to our life an unexpectedly dramatic turn, and we wish that we could go back in time. Accepting a faculty position at Western Illinois University (WIU) is one of those choices I sadly wish I could undo.

 I feel honored to share with you the story of my life in recent years. It is the account of the hatred, discrimination, and injustice I have been subjected to at Western Illinois University (WIU), the public institution where I served as Assistant Professor, then Associate Professor. Officials of this institution forged, misrepresented my records and terminated my employment, in violation of the employment agreement, with no fear of being called on. As a victim, I have decided to fight and stand up for my honor and my family, and to request justice. But, I learned with pain that the justice system is not for the poor and voiceless victim, even less for someone with a name like mine. I still think that any victim should stand up and speak up, for the safety of their family, and make sure that similar discriminatory practices do not happen in any other institution. 

I am American citizen, and native of the Ivory Coast. I moved to the United States of America in 2004 as a citizen of Finland, after I was offered a job as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at the Pennsylvania State University. In Finland where I previously lived, I completed a Ph.D. and a Master degree in Food Chemistry (Food Physical Chemistry) at the University of Helsinki. Part of my doctoral research was conducted at the University of Nottingham in England. After working for three and half years at the Pennsylvania State University, I was hired as Assistant Professor of physical chemistry in the Department of Chemistry at WIU in 2007, in a joint appointment with my wife who holds a Ph.D. in mathematics and who, like me, was previously employed at Pennsylvania State University. The present statement is related to the unexpected hardship and discriminatory practice we endured after we moved to WIU.