WASHINGTON 鈥� American University鈥檚 president said Monday that聽 of “racist expressions”聽aimed at black students on campus are disappointing and that the university will be hosting events that will address the problem.
Earlier this month, reports surfaced of an incident directed a two black students聽in a聽university dorm. On Sept. 8, a black woman said someone threw a banana at her while she was in her dorm room and another black woman said she found a rotten banana outside her door, along with obscene drawings on the whiteboard attached to her door.
The incidents have left the black students 鈥渟haken, upset, and even feeling unsafe,鈥� American University President Neil Kerwin said in a .
鈥淲e will confront racist expressions with forceful condemnation and respond to discrimination with every tool at our disposal,鈥� Kerwin said in the statement. 鈥淚t is incumbent on the university to respond clearly and to educate those who cause harm with their insensitivity and ignorance.鈥�
Earlier this week, Kelly Alexander, public relations director at American University, said there was not enough evidence to characterize the incident as bias-related.
In the weeks to come, the university will be hosting a series of events to address expectations and concerns and help create a more 鈥渋nclusive climate.鈥�
The school held a town hall Friday to give the students a place to discuss the issues.
Students 聽and called on the university to聽do more to address the problem of racism.
鈥淒espite the efforts we have begun, there is still a great deal more to do. Given the events we have seen across our country in recent months, this work will continue for the foreseeable future,鈥� Kerwin said.
