Temple University is investigating random “racist” banana appearances
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via Twitter
Two separate incidents of supposed racial discrimination have occurred in the dormitories of Temple University involving bananas.
In one case, a banana was found resting on the door handle of a dorm room where four black undergraduate women reside. Similarly, a second banana incident transpired again in the dormitories, though details aren’t as clear.
The Temple University Police Department was called to the scene and launched an investigation.
In a statement on Thursday, Director of University Housing and Residential Life Kevin Williams stated, “Within the past week, there have been several instances of inappropriate and arguably discriminatory behavior.”
“This email is a reminder that all residence halls…are inclusive environments that promote safety and respect for all members of the community,” Williams added.
Halle Ray, the roommate of the individual who noticed the placed banana, stated that they are the only room on the floor with all black students.
“I was mad, but I had to calm down,” Ray told The Temple News. “We just had to think things through, like what are we gonna do next?”
The same night Ray took to Twitter to post an image the incident.
I go to Temple University, my roommates come back from grocery shopping and see this (we’re the only black girls on our floor) pic.twitter.com/sAerWc7oJd
— halcapone✨ (@sincerelyhalle) September 12, 2017
“I just wanted people to be aware that stuff like this does happen, especially if you are a minority on a [predominantly white institution],” Ray stated. “If I wasn’t strong, if I cared about what people thought, it could have become bigger than what it is now.”
Madison Brown, another Temple freshman as well as Ray’s roommate, proclaimed that she has not perceived any “racial tension” on their door room floor in the past.
“Although we are the only black room on the floor, I did not think anything like that would happen,” Brown expressed. “Like I said before, people have been genuinely nice on the floor. It could have been out of pure ignorance.”
Temple states that about 12 percent of its student body identifies as African-American.
“I just want the university to speak out more about it,” Ray added. “We understand Temple is ‘diversity university,’ but I want them to go deeper than that. It’s not all happy because stuff like this happens. ‘Diversity university’ can’t cover stuff like this. This is real.”
Temple University’s Student Government issued a statement on Twitter regarding the incident, stating that they don’t “in anyway find these actions to be humorous nor acceptable.” They added that their school “prides itself on diversity,” and that they implore all students on campus to “speak out against racism, white supremacy, and bigotry.”
Statement regarding the incident that occurred in Morgan Hall on Monday, September 11th. pic.twitter.com/O4xCP5nmzm
— Temple Student Gov’t (@TempleTSG) September 14, 2017
Students certainly want to put an end to the random bananas showing up on campus, but are taking it in stride.
One thing I can confirm about the banana incident is that it only makes me stronger & no I’m not transferring anywhere else
— halcapone✨ (@sincerelyhalle) September 13, 2017
The post Temple University is investigating random “racist” banana appearances appeared first on Red Alert Politics.
Source: Red Alert Politics
