A white member of a sorority at Methodist University in North Carolina is now under investigation because of a presentation in which she used photos of Black people to describe what features she finds “ugly.”
During an Alpha Delta Pi sorority event earlier this month, the student presented images of Black football players and said their dreadlocks, noses, and lips were unattractive. She reportedly made additional derogatory remarks about their physical appearance.
A screenshot of the student’s presentation circulated on social media, and many people were able to see how she poked fun at the “large nostrils” of Black people.
“I don’t see why something along the lines of this is funny. I don’t see how it’s funny,” Methodist senior Ja-Quez Harrell told WRAL. “With everybody that was there, how come nobody stopped it?”
University Takes Action
This week, Methodist issued a statement saying school administrators have launched an official investigation and have begun hearing the sides of the students involved.
The institution has suspended the Alpha Delta Pi sorority indefinitely, ordering it to cease all activities until the investigation is complete.
“Methodist University is committed to principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. We abhor racism in any form on our campus, and we immediately investigate all possible incidents of racism and act on them appropriately, as warranted by the facts,” Methodist said in a statement.
We Believe in Action pic.twitter.com/RPqqh73ERb
— Methodist University (@MethodistU) September 21, 2021
Student Issues Apology
The North Carolina-based media outlet obtained a screenshot of an apology allegedly sent to one of the members of the football team by the student behind the incident.
She explained that her presentation mocking Black people was not meant to offend or degrade African-Americans.
“I am truly sorry and did not mean for this to hurt anybody… I can promise that. Again, I am very sorry and will be accepting responsibility for my actions,” the student said.