Racist Graffiti Solicits Varied N.C. State Reactions
This story was written by Saja Hindi, Technician
Some people say the issue is being blown out of proportion and the North Carolina State University response is a violation of free speech. Other people say its offensive and the University has to draw the line somewhere. Still others say that they dont know where the line needs to be drawn, but something different needs to happen and the current reactions are just not sufficient.
Whatever students, faculty or staff think about the racist messages that appeared in the Free Expression Tunnel after Election Day, different groups on campus are holding various events in hopes of encouraging dialogue, making change or both.
Honors Village Reflections
(UWIRE) -- The Quad Housing staff decided to hold a discussion for its residents about what they thought of the Free Expression Tunnel incidents. And for each of the attendees, at least one part of the incident hit home.I was offended by it, but it didnt really surprise me because theres been a lot of controversial stuff in the Free Expression Tunnel [in the past], Luke McIntyre,
a junior in arts applications said. My reaction was when I first heard about it... [I]
was just angry, Daniel Farrell, sophomore in biomedical engineering, said. They are also reflective on the school.
I was kind of upset initially... I was kind of ticked off that someone tried to cover the tunnel just to promote their message... I think kind of addressing the problem and not just saying, Hey, lets cover it up, ... doing something is obviously more constructive, Kyle Winters, a sophomore in management, said.
I wish someone would talk about [the four students], what option would [the University] have there, Farrell said. Ideas you dont always agree with are going to make you feel uncomfortable when theyre in your face, Winters said.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People meeting
(UWIRE) -- Rev. William Barber, president of the North Carolina NAACP, planned an open meeting on campus this Wednesday to discuss the University's handling of the messages found in the Free Expression Tunnel Nov. 5 -- a meeting similar to the one held after the toilet paper noose was found on campus in November 2007.Barber requested Chancellor James Oblinger's presence at this meeting, but it is still unclear whether Oblinger is planning to attend.
Several student leaders also plan to attend the discussion. The time and location of the meeting have yet to be determined.
Student Involvement
(UWIRE) -- Maritza Adonis, a junior in political science and student senator, will attempt to fast-track a resolution at Wednesday's Student Senate meeting that encourages the University to "expel those who promote such violent and racist actions on campus" and prosecute the "offending students to the fullest extent of State and Federal law."Adonis cites regulations endorsed by the chancellor that state that any discrimination on campus will not be tolerated.
The Student Senate will meet Wednesday in the Student Senate Chambers in Witherspoon Student Center at 7:30 p.m.