Thursday, September 8, 2016

Racism? This will make your head explode!

Racism? This will make your head explode!

By Kate Murphy

Northern Kentucky University students stood in the Student Union Plaza Tuesday night protesting a racially charged flier posted on campus.

The “Welcome White Week” flier was placed next to a “Welcome Black Week” poster promoting recent events sponsored by African American Programs and Services at NKU.

The campus newspaper, The Northerner, reported more than 50 students and faculty, including NKU President Geoff Mearns, attended the student-led demonstration to speak out against the flier, racial discrimination and the issues they face on campus.
Students discussed the “underrepresentation they feel on campus and the challenges they face as black students,” according to The Northerner.

James Johnson, an organizer of the demonstration according to the report, posted about the event on Facebook.

He wrote, “Racism and discrimination must go! We will not stand for the undermining and the deliberate disrespect of our struggle. OUR VOICE WILL BE HEARD! #NKUREPLYINGBLACK.”

African American Programs and Services posted videos and photos of the event on its Facebook page and issued a statement of solidarity.

“African American Programs and Services stands in solidarity with students, staff and faculty who were offended by the intolerant flier created by individuals who chose not to embrace the recent ‘Welcome Black Week’ activities.

“Moving forward we value and respect dialogue regarding all viewpoints and will create educational spaces to build awareness and move towards the common good.”

University spokeswoman Amanda Nageleisen said the “Welcome White Week” flier did not go through university approval process with the Student Union and the student organization named is not active or registered with the university.

There is also no record of any of the events on the flier scheduled at NKU.
“We’re still looking into it,” Nageleisen said, “but all signs point to this not being a legitimate organization or flier or activity.”

She said the fliers first came to university’s attention Tuesday and they were quickly removed, mostly by students.

Welcome Black Week took place Aug. 29 through Sept. 2, shortly after students arrived on campus

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