Racist Symbol Rocks Columbia University Campus

When I think of a hanging noose, I think of Billy Holiday’s song “Strange Fruit” that described the lynchings in the south.  I think of the families that lost sons, brothers, and fathers to prejudice and racial hatred.  I also thought hanging nooses were a symbol of the past.  The one thing I never thought was that hanging nooses would be a prevalent subject in current events.  

On October 9th a noose was found hanging from the door at Columbia University’s Teacher’s College. The recipient of this symbol of hatred was Madonna Constantine, a professor of psychology and education. She also was the co-author of the book “Addressing Racism:  Facilitating Cultural Competence in Mental and Educational Settings.”  Police stated the noose was placed on the door between 8 and 9:15 a.m.  Professor Constantine’s colleague made the discovery approximately 9:15 a.m. Tuesday morning.   

The next afternoon a protest rally was held at Columbia University’s Teacher’s College.  Demonstrators made their disgust for the bias act clear by holding signs that read “Not on Our Campus.”   Professor Constantine addressed faculty and students at the rally.  She called the incident, a “blatant act of racism.”  Amidst cheers from the crowd she stated, “I would like the perpetrator to know I will not be silenced.” 

This is not the only act of hate that has been discovered on the campus of the Ivy League university.  A swastika was found on the door of a bathroom stall.  Although NYPD do not believe that the two incidents are linked, they are investigating the incidents as hate crimes.  The police have also had the noose tested for DNA evidence.  The Department of Justice opened up its own investigation.  In Albany the state senate passed legislation that would impose stiffer sanctions for people who draw or otherwise place or display nooses on public or private property.    

The president of Columbia University’s Teacher’s College sent an email to students and faculty condemning the incident.  Teacher’s College was founded in 1887 and professes to be the nation’s oldest and largest graduate school of education.  The college has a student body that includes students from approximately 80 countries, around 12 percent are black.  Although recruitment has not been affected, the incident has haunted information sessions.  Faculty must reassure potential applicants that the college is indeed an institution that stresses the importance of diversity. 

Unfortunately, the noose found at Columbia University is not an isolated incident.  CNN and local new stations across the country have been filled with broadcasts centering on the outbreak of nooses appearing in different cities nationwide.  The first was found a year ago in the remote town of Jena, L.A. where a noose was found hanging from a tree of the local high school.  The incident sparked racial tensions and the beating of a white teenager by a group of black teenagers known to the world as the Jena 6.  In July a noose was left in the bag of a black Coast Guard cadet.  In September a noose was placed in the locker room of the Hempstead N.Y. police department.  On October 2nd, a noose was found hanging on a utility pole at the Anniston Army Depot in Alabama. 

Whether the or not the racist incident at Columbia University is a copycat adding to the list of nooses that have been found nationwide is still unclear.  One thing is glaringly obvious, we have not overcome just yet.  On a trip to our nation’s capitol I visited the Korean War Memorial.  A message is etched on the wall that states, “Freedom is not Free.”  The same sentiment could be said about tolerance and racial equality.  These are beliefs that should be our birthright, everyman should be born free and equal amongst society.  Unfortunately these beliefs must be fought for time and time again. 

The wave of nooses hanging across the country is proof of that, but if a noose had to be discovered I believe it is best that is was discovered on a university campus.  Universities are institutions of higher learning.  They are also a microcosm of American society.  A noose found on the campus of a university will spark protests, debate, and hopefully a change in the student body that will reflect a greater respect for racial tolerance.  After all, the purpose of a university is not only to produce smarter but also better human beings.

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