A Cal Poly student found a flier making reference to “the final solution to the BLACK (sic) problem” Thursday morning in the first floor men’s restroom in Robert E. Kennedy Library.
Biomedical engineering senior Brandon Smith saw the flyer on the door of a stall in the restroom, facing the toilet. He said he thought it was definitely meant to be visible.
“It was taped like one of those things you just see,” Smith said. “Originally I read it and thought it was one of those funny things on the bathroom wall again, but no.”
Smith said he immediately texted his friend, sociology junior Daydrah Beck. Beck, a black student, said she was offended by what she deemed to be the “racist” message of the flier.
“My biggest problem was that people commented on it, and didn’t take it down,” Beck said. “They actually took the time to write on it, and then just left it there.”
The two took the letter to Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong’s office.
There, they met with Betsy Kinsley, Armstrong’s chief of staff. Kinsley alerted University Police Department (UPD), who searched the library for additional fliers. UPD could not be reached for comment as of press time.
Stacia Momburg, the Cal Poly Public Affairs team leader said the flier was, “propaganda,” and said dean of students Jean DeCosta will send a statement to students today discussing the posting.
“We haven’t had something like this where there was an isolated incident of this propaganda posted on campus,” Momburg said.
The flier is available here.
I’m no expert, but…. it only looks like one person commented on the flyer.
Going counter clock-wise from the top, the first three comments have the same handwriting, and its white-supremacist content suggest it was from the original poster. Therefore the only additional comment is the opposing statement, “lets love all people.”
I’m not condoning the flyer or trying to mitigate the situation… just don’t think the hand-written comments were as bad as Beck made it seem.
You’re definitely right on that. Its one person making the “pro” comments.
I find it interesting how free speech is a one-way road in so many college students’ minds. If the statement on here is so offensive, the appropriate thing to do is leave it up for all to see and learn from. After all, the men’s room at the library is public space on a campus that by its own stated objectives invites freedom of thought.
Cal Poly’s Statement on Commitment to Community includes choosing to “Promote the benefits of diversity by practicing and advocating openness, respect and fairness.” Openness, respect and fairness includes exposing yourself to, and respecting the free speech rights of, people with opposing viewpoints. To throw away flyers attempting to discuss social issues, from a perspective you don’t agree with, is in direct conflict with the values of Cal Poly and the United States.
You don’t have to like the message, and it’s a good thing to allow ignorance to be brought to light.
I agree to an certain extent but I would like to add that Cal Poly’s Statement on Commitment to Community also states the following:
“Act with integrity and show respect for ourselves and one another”
Not sure how posting something to be read in the bathroom is acting with integrity.
“Accept responsibility for our individual actions”
If it’s up to debate, I would assume the person responsible would of stuck around in the bathroom to debate all those disagreed over a nice cup of coffee.
I think the proper actions have been done. We can publicly see what the note contained and discuss it’s validity here. If such a matter was to be discussed with opposing viewpoints and everything in between I’m sure the proper forum, with all could be organized. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if such an event does happen in light of this event. This is better than having the incident hushed or covered up or even worse ignored. Gladly, I think neither has happened and if no one saw article I think every one got memo in their email.
http://www.academicprograms.calpoly.edu/academicpolicies/community_commitment_statement.htm
Interesting justification. I prefer to see clearly Marcy