This study analyzed a crisis situation that a university faced when an historical artwork considered to be racially progressive when it was created nearly 70 years ago has been deemed racist in contemporary times. The university attempted to address criticisms by providing context to the artwork, explaining its creation and history as well as by creating companion artwork to lessen its offensiveness, but none of those attempts assuaged critics. We view the case through the lenses of narrative theory, dialectical tensions, and the paradox of erasure while recognizing the challenges organizations face navigating the limited space for competing narratives in a “cancel culture.” We add to and codify a typology of erasure in public relations and offer recommendations for universities dealing with crises that have competing interpretations of highly charged, socio-political issues, such as those stemming from racial injustice, at their center.

这项研究分析了大学面临的一种危机情况，当时将近70年前创作的一部历史作品被认为具有种族进步性，而该作品在当代被认为是种族主义。该大学试图通过为艺术品提供背景，解释其创作和历史以及通过创作伴随艺术品以减轻其反感来解决批评，但这些尝试都没有使批评家感到安心。我们通过叙事理论，辩证张力和擦除悖论来审视此案，同时认识到组织在“取消文化”中竞争叙事空间有限时所面临的挑战。