Several racial incidents have plagued the campus of Michigan State University.
• A black doll was found hanging by a noose in a university chemistry laboratory.
• A black student reported that a racial slur was written on the dry erase board on the door or her dormitory room.
• The word “nigger” was written on the wall of a freshman dormitory.
In a letter, Lou Anna K. Simon, president of Michigan State University, wrote that the incidents are “extraordinarily troubling and create a legitimate concern that all of us must address. Such behavior is not representative of MSU’s values, nor should it be tolerated.”
Blacks make up about 7 percent of the 47,000 students at Michigan State.
There have been far more incidents than the 3 reported above, though perhaps most have been reported since October 8. It should be noted however that the “hanging doll” incident, is really not a “racial incident”. The doll was something that was brought back to MSU from students who visited New Orleans, and was hung (in Creole tradition) in a classroom used by those students, as a means of honoring remembering their trip. While completely understandable that the person who found the doll reacted negatively, it is important to separate this particular incident from those where Black students were targeted with Hate Speech.
I’m Caucasian. ……., are you that naiv, there is no excuse. I can’t believe that educated human beings can be so stupid. Please speak to your black friends, if you have any. Creole tradition, yeah right, that’s a good one. Unbelievable comment. You seem to care but not see.