HATE HOAX: Racist College Graffiti That Led To Boycott Was Written By Black Student
Racist graffiti was discovered at Albion College in Michigan, prompting student protests and boycotts of the campus due to the alleged racist nature of the student body. However, authorities later found the culprit to be “a 21-year-old black male” whose name has not been released to the media.
The 21-year-old black male left disturbingly racist and anti-Semitic, albeit quasi-illiterate graffiti, including “KKK White Power”, “[indecipherable] is racist we do exist KKK” “die n***** please” and the satanic 666 written inside a Jewish Star of David.
Breaking: Last week, shocking racist messages appeared on the campus of @albioncollege in Mich., prompting a large response from the administration. The FBI was even put on standby. Today, Albion police announced that a black student admitted to the crimes.https://t.co/F0xo92WRXl pic.twitter.com/yuVQzOiB3T
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) April 8, 2021
The discovery of the racist graffiti, assumed universally to have been written by a white student, prompted a large campus protest and boycott. Local journalist Trisha McCauley wrote, “Albion College students are hosting a campus boycott. Some students say they don’t feel safe on campus over recent racial incidents.”
The time lapsed video shows hundreds of students walking away from the campus in protest of the racist graffiti.
HAPPENING NOW: Albion College students are hosting a campus boycott. Some students say they don’t feel safe on campus over recent racial incidents. @wwmtnews pic.twitter.com/OURDp0DEOf
— Trisha McCauley (@TrishaWWMT) April 5, 2021
Before the identity of the student was confirmed to be a 21-year-old black male, the college administration released a statement of inclusion on Twitter. “We stand together with black students, alumni, faculty, staff and broader community members in condemning the recent acts of racism on campus,” they wrote, oblivious to the fact that it was written by a 21-year-old black male student.
“Hatred have no place at Albion, and will not be tolerated.” They continued, for three more tweets, “We are currently investigating who is responsible for the racist graffiti in our residential buildings and we will seek criminal charges against those involved.”
The college also suggested the student responsible, know known to be the yet unnamed the 21-year-old black male student, could be punished with suspension or expulsion.
We are currently investigating who is responsible for the racist graffiti in our residential buildings and we will seek criminal charges against those involved. (2/4)
— Albion College (@albioncollege) April 5, 2021
We cannot become a true community of belonging until everybody feels safe on campus, and it is our responsibility to continuously reaffirm our commitment to anti-racism through both words and actions. Artwork Credit: LaRhonda Richardson (4/4)
— Albion College (@albioncollege) April 5, 2021
After the suspect’s race and status as a student became known, the school released a second statement – but did not disclose identifying factors about the 21-year-old black student – acknowledging the student has been removed from campus and temporarily suspended due to “the racist and anti-Semitic graffiti”.
“They have been immediately removed from campus and placed on temporary suspension while we conduct a full investigation as part of our student judicial process,” wrote the college administration.
They proceeded to insinuate that the fact this was a hate hoax, and not a hate crime, is irrelevant. “We know the acts of racism that have occurred this week are not about one particular person,” wrote the administration, ostensibly about the 21-year-old black male student who authorities say confessed to leaving the hate filled messages. “We will change and heal together as a community,” they added.
They have been immediately removed from campus and placed on temporary suspension while we conduct a full investigation as part of our student judicial process. (2/5)
— Albion College (@albioncollege) April 7, 2021
We will change and heal together as a community, because we are committed to doing the work. (4/5)
— Albion College (@albioncollege) April 7, 2021
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