Alleged Noose Incident and Diversity Programs at ECU
Suspected noose found in Belk Hall at East Carolina University on September 19, 2007, launches the possibility of a new program that deals with race and ethnic issues.
Police responded around 2:00 p.m. in the basement of Belk Hall the day the noose was allegedly found. The evidence was not in the same condition as it was when reported after the police arrived.
“I don’t feel the issue was handled properly,” says Ben Anderson, a Resident Advisor in Aycock Hall.
Video footage and student interviews were used as evidence, but there were still no suspects.
An informative meeting was held in the Baite building on October 3, 2007 with the Black Student Union. The informative meeting was open to anyone who had questions or concerns about the incident.
“As in any incident involving a student at the university, it will be taken through our student judicial system,” says Todd Johnson, interim vice provost of student affairs, who attended the meeting.
“I just feel this incident happened at a bad time right after the Jena 6 and all,” says Gabrielle Hernandez, a resident in Aycock.
The Jena 6 issue, which also deals with a hate crime and noose, had recently became a popular topic within the same week the alleged noose was found at ECU.
The National Day of Action for the Jena 6 actually took place the day after the incident in Belk occurred.
“At the informative meeting on the issue, many students were bringing up the Jena 6 issue; it was like what happened here at ECU was not the concern anymore,” says Hobie Bush, a Black Student Union member and Resident Advisor in Aycock Hall.
The discussion at the meeting also raised questions about safety among certain groups on campus, racial tensions and diversity.
Johnson responded that safety was the main priority being taken care of on the ECU campus.
According to The East Carolinian, a suggestion was made by Kyndall Peele, BSU member, to make it a requirement for students to take ethnic studies classes to educate them on other cultures.
This suggestion was put into consideration with a program that was planned at Belk Hall that dealt with race and ethnic issues.
Ben Anderson, an attendee of the program called “Cross the Line” says that over 50 people attended the program.
“I feel the program had good intentions, but, I feel that all cultures should be considered. I mean, what about the Islamic culture? Do you know how hard it is to be Islamic in America? I just feel that if all cultures are considered when these programs are planned, the impact will be much greater,” says Anderson.
Though many initiatives have been taken to make sure that race does not negatively affect students at ECU, the planning of programs to help students deal with ethnic and racial issues began just a week after the alleged noose incident.
“I feel ECU will take care of this racial problem. I did not choose this school based on just its academics, but most importantly its values. I know ECU will handle this issue the proper way,” says Bush.
SOURCES
Ben Anderson – Resident Advisor In Aycock Hall: bda0325@ecu.edu
Hobie Bush – Resident Advisor in Aycock Hall and BSU member: hbo911@ecu.edu
Gabrielle Hernandez- ECU Resident
Filed under: Hard News