This photo was taken in front of the Phi Gamma Delta house here at Oregon State University. Apparently the noose was from their Halloween decorations that had been left up accidentally. A student informed me that the original noose included a witch hanging from it. Note that all of the other Phi Gamma Delta Halloween decorations had been removed leaving just the noose hanging from a tree.
I’m sure the fraternity members never thought about the symbolism and historical context of nooses. Once again, racism does not always include malicious intent. The effect of racist symbolism creates an unwelcome and scary environment.
I really hope that Bob Kerr, OSU’s Coordinator of Greek Life, addresses this situation immediately. I also hope that the OSU student newspaper, the Daily Barometer does not try to cover up or silence anti-racist editorials on this situation. (The Barometer has refused to print several editorials that critique the Barometer’s printing of a photo of a student in blackface.)
For more examples of racism on college campuses, check out Vox’s - College Racism Roundup.
Tags: Academic Affairs, anti racist, Corvallis, Higher Education, Oregon, oregon state university, Race, racism, sexism, Social Justice
What next? When is enough going to be enough? When will our university address this growing problem? When an OSU student jokes on Facebook about coming to the football game dressed as a member of the KKK, I am more than concerned. I am worried about the underlying social problems that are being expressed in this way. How can we make it better? How can we heal our community? How can we teach those and reach those whose minds are not open? Am I too much of an optimist, believing that the world is getting better? Or am I blinded in my belief in the inherent goodness in each of us? Right now I am struggling with the conflict of how to reach out in a diplomatic way and wondering if I should even try. This is a perfect teaching moment, but are people even going to listen?
I will be at the protest on Saturday, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Black Student Union in silent solidarity. If we don’t stand against acts that are perceived as threatening or, dare I say it, potentially racist, are we then silently condoning such acts?
Just wondering,
Renee
Ugh, this makes me physically sick. Seriously?!
I think it was Bob Kerr who was quoted tonight on KEZI 9 (Eugene ABC affiliate): “the students were lazy and never took it down.” It’s not on their website but that’s what I recall from the 6 pm broadcast.
What a strange response.
Just curious Eric: when you wake up in the morning, how long do you spend looking for stuff to be offended by? Do you spend most of your day searching or just half or less? Seems you have a lot of sensitivities for a white boy from Iowa. Honestly, if your biggest problems are a halloween decoration left out too long and some black face paint at OSU games, your life must be pretty freakin’ sweet.
Reid,
That response makes perfect sense from a position of white & privileged ignorance. From such a position, this is not a big deal - which may explain (or may not) why Bob Kerr’s response was so out of proportion to the event.
“the students were lazy and never took it down.”
He could be referring to a Christmas wreath or a noose or something equally banal. There isn’t really any difference, right, since there was no malicious intent?
Right? Right?
Can’t we all just get along?
To counter Cornvalley, I appreciate that you wake up every morning and look for things to be offended about instead of just ignoring injustices and white-washing your world. If the media tries to hide the truth, I’m glad there are many bloggers and active citizens who do what they can to bring it to the surface. You have my respect.
How does one enable a “non-target” to view the world with empathy and compassion? Education is not enough. Yet, to deliver victim status upon them is too much. Exposure? Experience? Time? I guess I don’t blame the kids’ negligence/ignorance as much as the so-called authority figure’s lame weak, dismissive reaction.
@ Cornvalley, The only way that any of the “isms” will ever be eradicated is if those with privileged status join the fight. I’m pretty sure Eric doesn’t need to look for stuff like this. Once your eyes are open to the obvious, you realize racist/sexist bullshit is surrounding you at every turn. ‘pretty freakin’ sweet?’ Hardly.
White people were hung too.
I don’t think the average person thinks about racism when they see something like this.
Re: Cornvalley and cpmcd2000
I’m constantly reminded and amazed at how ignorant and insensitive you white people are here in the US. When are you going to get out of your little privileged worlds and see this society for what it is? I’m sure that you probably believe that racism doesn’t exist because I’m sure that you have a black “friend” or two and wait, your perception of them is that, they are just like you! NOT!
Actually the blog is missing information, if you walk by the house or know any of the guys like I do you’d know that there were other decorations around the house inside and outside still left up. And as far as historical symbolism, there were way more white people hung by a noose for crimes throughout history than racist black hangings. It’s been a form of capital punishment for centuries. Also the Haunted House is a philanthropic event that raises money for the poor community in the Linn-Benton counties.
And when you think about it, these proceeds are more than likely going to needy black and white families in the community. I heard on the news one girl call them all ignorant but how ignorant are the rest of you who go around saying how terrible this act of racism was when you don’t know what the hell actually happened.
First of all, CPMCD 2000, yes, certainly white people have been affected by the violent history of the United States - I do not think any one would argue with that.
But I think this incident is particularly horrifying because a) it’s really jarring to see a noose hanging from a tree, fullstop; b) this noose incident comes at a time when the OSU community is still trying to heal after the black-out game; c) once again I see people trying to excuse hurtful behavior because of ignorance (because it’s always better and easier to apologize later over and over for your ignorance than to take the time to educate yourself…?); and d) the recent Jena 6 controversy.
Your comment is interesting that “the average person wouldn’t think this is racist” - first of all, I can see if you were white (as I am), yep, I could probably walk right by this noose and not think twice. However, if you are from a culture or group who were haunted by lynching and lost many members of the community on a noose, how can you look at this any other way? So is the “average person” white? Should our communities and actions only cater to white people? To say “Oh, well white people would not be offended by this, so what’s the big deal?” is a little ridiculous.
I’m not attacking, by any means, but I think your language choice demonstrated a seriously disturbing level of ignorance of white privilege. Just because you can look at a noose and see it as nothing but a Halloween prank, does not mean other people can look at it as anything else but gut-wrenching.
@ cpmc2000 So then the “average” person is white, ignorant, and insensitive?
The Daily Barometer issued a statement yesterday to that reads as follows:
“Campus Cultural Centers, Resource Centers, Shannon Warren and Renée Roman Nose,
I invite all of you to visit the Barometer website, where we have started a forum for conversation. The link at the top of the page will guide you there. Www.dailybarometer.com
The forum was created to help open the dialogue among all students. All comments on the forum will automatically be approved. Also, letters to the editor that do not meet the print criteria of being less than 300 words will appear in that online forum.
Please feel free to contact me if you would like to talk. My door is always open for members of our community. I would also be more than willing to start a few scheduled discussion groups, etc.
Sincerely,
Lauren L. Dillard, Editor-in Chief”
I think this is a much needed opportunity to continue this important discussion as the reactions to recent events seem, to me, to be symptomatic of deeper underlying issues that need to be addressed. I am happy to say that I applaud this effort by the Barometer. The meetings of the Black Student Union with President Ray and the Barometer are finally resulting in some positive reaction rather than denial and pretence of everything being fine if we just ignore what’s happening.
Renee
I knew people would disagree with me.
Believe me, I am not ignorant to the fact that racism is still real. Nor am I in any way racist.
But I grew up in a generation watching Fresh Prince and listening to the Ying Yang Twins. Things are slightly different today.
If this were Alabama… I would probably feel different.
[…] « Noose + History = Racism OSU news coverage […]
I was looking for other blogs that might cover the same subject matter I cover in mine and came across your story on the OSU incident. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to have your blog stand up against this type of tomfoolery and vile activity. I can’t believe this happened in our sister state of OR.
I would appreciate your thoughts on my piece “21st Century Blackface: Hideous Imitation or Flattery? Harmful or Harmless?” at happynappyhead.blogspot.com
THANKS!
Unfortunately I can believe it happens, not because Oregon is a bad place (I love it here) but because in a state with less than 2% of its population being African-American, many Oregonians that I know haven’t been taught to think about race or particularly racial history. One of the greatest white privileges…the option not to think about race/racism. Oregon is not an inherently racist place, but it is incredibly uneducated about racism’s history, particularly from the perspective of its targets, people of color.
[…] The Daily Barometer published an official statement from Oregon State University’s Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. The statement was regarding the noose that was hanging in a tree on the Phi Gamma Delta property. The print version of the article was constructed as an apology (at least by the Daily Barometer). The print version started on the front page of the Barometer and ended on page 3. The headline for the page 3 continuation of the “statement” reads as “Noose: Apology offered, removing offensive object.” […]
[…] I’ve been following the news coverage of the noose that was hanging in your yard. Recently, I read the public statement that ran in the Barometer. The online version of the paper called it a “statement,” but did not include the term “apology” like the print version. I really respect that you put out a statement as it takes courage to acknowledge something in a public forum, but I have a question regarding the wording and meaning of the statement. […]
[…] One of the themes that I keep seeing as I peruse the rather lengthy list of racist incidents at college and university campuses is the idea of “real racism.” Comment after comment are posted on how nooses and blackface are not “real racism” and that dialogues about these events should not take place as they might dilute conversations about “real racism.” It should be noted that the majority of “real racism” commenters are usually anonymous white folks who have decided to say when “real racism” has occurred and when it is just “crying wolf.” […]
Is the end of racism just a dream?
Here are some things to consider today:
How many soldiers are fighting…fighting alongside and around the world next to someone of color? They would give their lives for their comrades, despite the color of their skin. They are all the same under the uniform.
How many preschoolers have you seen that have a diverse set of friends? Children that young never seem to notice the difference in color-much less in economic class or differences in culture and religion. They play together. It is just that simple for them. At what age do we lose this innocence? At what age does society ingrain in us this idea of ‘us’ versus ‘them?’
The end of racism will obviously not be easy to achieve if it is possible at all, which I do not believe it is. I feel this way due to the following reasons:
1. Some people feed off of such ‘injustices’ in life-it gives them excuses for not succeeding or getting their way.
2. Even if actual racism was to magically end tomorrow, many would still have the perception that things are done due to racial intentions and with an intended malice.
3. Double standards make it impossible. Dave Chappelle will not quit using the ‘n word’ in his acts and pop and reality stars will not ever stop ‘affectionately’ calling their best friends ‘bitches’ or ‘hoes.’ By saying words like these and acting like many celebrities do in the dominant media, they send the message that they are okay being called these things and are not offended by such ideas and labels. This just makes it okay – or at least SEEM okay- for others to call them that.
As society seemingly becomes more and more open with discussing racial issues and we see increasing numbers of interracial relationships and people are less and less scared of voicing their we must remember that while the complete end of racism would be ideal, perhaps the best we can shoot for is enhanced equality, a public open-mindedness, and a generally heightened level of cultural compassion-perhaps all of these things would have the same effect as the end of racism itself.