SMU condemns racist fliers found on campus
DALLAS, Texas - SMU is condemning racist fliers found on campus that were titled, “Why white women shouldn't date black men."
The university called the message racist and hateful. Several students shared a similar feeling and even organized a town hall meeting to talk about them.
University officials are asking for information about the fliers found inside a residence hall. They're also asking students to report them if more are seen. However, students are taking it a step further and hosting a conversation about discrimination on campus.
The fliers found in an SMU residence hall Sunday night say black men are more likely to have STDs and are more likely to abuse women and have lower IQs.
The message from the fliers makes SMU Senior Darien Flowers feel unsafe at school.
"I just feel like that is completely ludicrous,” he said. “There's absolutely no data. I don't understand the basis."
Three African-American students say they're not surprised by the outward display of racist but are hurt it has appeared on their campus.
"This is rhetoric that I've been dealing with for all of my life,” Biko McMillan said. “I'm here for academics. But what my mind is on is more how I'm going to bring about social change."
University officials say they are investigating the source of the fliers, which have reportedly also appeared on the campuses of the University of Oklahoma and University of Michigan.
SMU released a statement saying “SMU condemns the racist and hateful message in these fliers. These messages have no place at SMU and are in opposition to SMU's values and commitment to an environment free from discrimination."
Students echoed the sentiment.
"I don't feel anyone should feel alienated or attacked, and I just have a problem with people stereotyping,” said student Rachel Warren.
Senior Taylor Nickens is now organizing a town hall meeting Wednesday night at SMU. She thinks the presidential election has emboldened people who discriminate and believes a conversation about equality and inclusivity is needed now more than ever.
"I think everything with how people feel in our entire country is out on the floor,” she said. “If any time, now is the time to try to have a reaction and to create change."
The origin of the flyer is unknown, but there's a symbol on the flier that says "Alt-Right,” which leads some to believe it is associated with the alt-right movement.