A UNC Charlotte Alumnus' Take on Campus' Noose Controversy, Chancellor's Response

I have a personal mission to stop hate. In an earlier article, I wrote about what to do about hate on college campuses. I received a letter from the Chancellor of my graduating institution. The entire campus received a letter about two rope-tied with noose knots found in the facilities workshop storage area on campus. The bucket was found by a fellow employee. The letter also states that a full investigation by both the "Police & Public Safety Department as well as the Human Resources Department." Another part of the letter states, "Until the findings of this investigation are complete, let me reiterate to the entire campus community that UNC Charlotte maintains a zero-tolerance policy against racial discrimination of any sort."

I attended this school, and I have had personal experience with racism on this campus. The letter states that there is a zero-tolerance policy but the campus, staff, and faculty tolerate hate on a daily basis, it is unspoken. I remember calling the campus police about "KKK" being sprayed on a dormitory, I do not recall there being a letter send out and the campus being told that there was an investigation of the situation. Later that day I see workers power washing the wall.

I feel if racism against blacks are ignored on campus. While the campus officials think everything is fine underneath it is not. The campus can promote all the "diversity" program it wants but if you do not get to the heart of the issue mainly the employees on campus then what is the point in spending money to promote diversity.

The next letter the campus sent out stated that there was a full investigation and the employee is an avid sportsmen and he showing another employee how to tie knots. I actually worked in this department and unless they hired some new people since I left none of the workers are avid sportsmen, but I could be wrong. How odd is it that the knots resembles a noose. According to the report since they where not in public display it is not seen as racial intimidation. Back to me seeing the "KKK" symbol displayed on the wall of a dormitory, that was publicly display and nothing seem to have happened.

My opinion of this situation may be biased, considering I attended this school.

Questions to ask:

Why was it hidden in a bucket in the storage area?

After the knots were tied why were they not untied after demonstration?

If the employee was a sportsmen and knot tying is normal, why not do it out in the open?

Why is every racial attack toward blacks seen as a misunderstanding?

Is it only racial intimidating when it is out in public?

Racism is like a cancer; if you do not want it spread, you have to cut it out.