As 2016 enters its last season, many are coming to the conclusion that there’s still a clear racial divide in America. In a world where numerous incidents of police brutality are caught on camera, presidential candidates and their supporters regularly make racist remarks, and people are still uncomfortable with the phrase “Black Lives Matter,” it’s impossible to say we’re anywhere near ending racism. And an incident this week at the University of Missouri proves that even further.
According to Cosmopolitan, protests took place Wednesday at the University of Missouri in response to several fraternity members hurling racist and sexist insults at a group of black students on campus. On Tuesday night, the two black female students were walking past the Delta Upsilon fraternity house when a white woman standing outside with fraternity members allegedly said, “Look at those two n*****s looking at us.” The two students called other members of the Legion of Black Collegians Activities Committee to walk with them, and those students were subsequently also called names, even when police tried to deescalate the situation, according to the Columbia Tribune.
The group released a statement explaining their frustration, saying “To say that we are disgusted is beyond an understatement.” This is not the first time that this campus has dealt with racial disparities—protests at the school rippled across the nation last fall—a fact that the group had to address: “It is often said that history repeats itself, but the ignorance that occurs on the University of Missouri’s campus always seems to be too familiar. Due to the continuation of an intolerant culture, students of color have been attacked again.”
A statement from the Legion with regard to yesterday evening and the early hours of this morning. pic.twitter.com/TkoggBKSGP
— LBC (@MizzouLBC) September 28, 2016
In response, the Delta Upsilon International Fraternity suspended the university’s chapter in an ongoing effort to learn more about the specific individuals involved, The Washington Post reports. The school’s administration is also taking action. “I am outraged and saddened to hear of this!” Hank Foley, the interim chancellor of the university, said in a written statement. “The safety and security of our campus is our No. 1 priority; the University of Missouri is committed to fostering an inclusive campus environment where all students, faculty, staff and visitors can live, learn, work and feel safe.”