Legion of Black Collegians' and MU NAACP's letters addressing the graffiti incident
In response to Saturday's graffiti incident outside of Hatch Hall, the Legion of Black Collegians released the following letter:
Dear Everyone,
The month February is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of leaders, activists, and professionals of African descent, it is unfortunate that the Legion of Black Collegians must take the time from this month celebrating our history, to address an act of ignorance that has occurred at the University of Missouri. We were informed that a wall outside of Hatch Resident Hall was vandalized and spray-painted with a derogatory word commonly used against African Americans. The University has not released an official statement yet addressing the act, so we are unable to provide you with great detail. Many of you may remember a similar incident occurred last year during Black History Month, when cotton balls were strewn outside the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center. While these incidents are separate matters, it shows not everyone is willing to accept the cultural diversity the University of Missouri has to offer. We cannot tolerate acts such as this; they are detrimental to not only our African American community, but all students at the University of Missouri. We ask that you remember that the best way to fight ignorance is with knowledge. We plan to hold an emergency meeting during our regular LBC senate meeting on Wednesday at 5:30pm in the Black Culture Center. If you have any concerns please feel free to contact us. We will keep you updated as more information is released.
Sincerely,
The Legion of Black Collegians
MU NAACP chapter President Bryan Like released a letter on the subject as well:
Greetings Students,
So it seems that this time of the year has become a tradition for all the bigots to hide in the shadows and spew their hatred on our campus. Last year we dealt with the infamous cotton ball incident and now we have someone who wants to utilize a spray can of paint to show how he or she feels. I for one can say that I don’t want to parade around and talk about the unity of the University of Missouri. I do not want to stand on the steps of Jesse Hall singing kumbaya and lighting candles for unity. I do not want to pacify this situation. What came out of the cotton ball incident besides a Columbia judicial verdict? What came out of Mizzou alumn Terrence Williams having racist words written outside his dorm room? What is the university doing to prevent these issues?
It is apparent that we have racist students here at the University of Missouri. When a Black History Month display can’t stand alone in College Ave residential hall without an invisible racist vandalizing it, we have a problem. When students have to take down their dry erase boards in Hatch, like Mr. Williams back in 2009, because students write vulgar racist statements on it towards them, we have a problem. The NAACP, along with many students and organizations, will stand firm to see that change is implemented in the residential halls and on this campus in general to insure that we are striving to educate our students. If Mizzou is really taking a stance on racism, then Mizzou will take its “zero tolerance attitude” for these actions and make measures to educate and scare any undercover racist from making statements such as this one.
Just like the cotton ball incident was not just littering, this spray paint is not just vandalism. This is a direct attack on the black students of the University of Missouri, and we will not stand by and take this type of treatment from anyone, seen or not seen.
Sincerely,
Bryan Like
University of Missouri
President, NAACP Collegiate Chapter, unit 4731
LBC will be discussing the incident in-depth at its Senate meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center.