September 4, 2007

Noose Hung in Tree at University of Maryland

Hat tip to Danielle of Modern Musings for beating the drums about a noose found hanging in a tree near a building that houses several African American campus organizations at the University of Maryland.

University of Maryland administrators moved quickly over the weekend to assure students and other members of the community that they were taking the possibility of a campus hate crime with the utmost seriousness.

University President C. D. Mote Jr. wrote in an open letter.

Police said they have opened a criminal investigation and are treating the case as a hate crime.
"The University of Maryland will not tolerate discrimination, harassment or acts of hate. The possibility that this act appears intended to bring to mind the horrific crime of lynching, which is such a terrible and tragic part of our nation's past, is particularly abhorrent."
The University of Maryland graduates more African American students than any other public research university among the nation's top 25. In 2006, African American students made up 12.9 percent of the university's 25,154 undergraduate students.

Yet, with all those Black folks on campus ... and with humongous wealth of the Black community in that geographic area ... some fool feels comfortable enough to hang a noose. We are not talking about silly white kids in Jena, LA ... this time we're talking about some grown college-age adults.

Villagers, the September 20 rally in Jena is more and more important. Not just to change the legal system in Jena, but also to remind America that racist acts against our community will no longer be tolerated.

Sit around the baobob tree and share your thoughts on the noose incident at the University of Maryland. What say u?

6 comments:

Believer said...

I hope that those who are accountable are suspended, fined, and maybe even jailed for such hate crime. Why aren't we sending a message that this sort of thing is intolerable?

Unknown said...

Rosemarie - I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't know about the incident until earlier today... and it happened over a week ago. I look forward to seeing how the hunt for the criminals that did this turns out.

peace, Villager

Bailey said...

Long time ago--- we use to get beat and nothing was done. It's time to "flip the script" in that they are beaten and nothing is done. I believe in non-violence but everyonce in while some of them need to get a broken nose to send a message. Edith

Unknown said...

Bailey - I feel ya'. About the only thing worse than hanging a noose would be burning a cross on your lawn. These aren't 'pranks' and I hope that the perps get caught in Maryland.

peace, Villager

Anonymous said...

THe NOOSE HANGING IS SO AWESOME!!! I DONT KNOW WHY BLACKS ARE CRYING.. SLAVERY WAS THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO THEM. WITHOUT SLAVERY..THEY ARE STILL ALL IN AFRICA WITH THE REST OF THERE RELATIVES SHARING BUGS FOR DINNER ONCE A MONTH LOL

Unknown said...

Anon - Ordinarily I delete messages from foolish people too cowardly to use their name. However, in this case, your message is so silly that I'll let it stand for posterity.