Racial tensions continue to stab at the core of our democracy as a hangman’s noose was discovered at the door of a black professor at Columbia University.
Early last Tuesday morning a rope noose was found hanging from the door of African-American professor Dr. Madonna Constantine of Columbia’s Teachers College, one of the best school education programs in the country. Constantine is a respected professor of psychology and education and has published numerous works on multiculturalism, ethnicity, and racism.
Constantine issued a statement at a campus rally Wednesday saying that “I would like us to stay string in the face of such a blatant act of racism” and also stated that “Hanging the noose on my office door reeks of cowardice and fear on many levels. I want the perpetrator to know that I will not be silenced."
The incident prompted an investigation by the New York City Police Department, which they are classifying as a hate crime.
This incident is appalling and damaging not only to our country and the minority community but to our higher education system- which is supposed to be a system where diversity is valued and encouraged. This serves as an example of how racism is still alive and thriving in our country. Sure, we have come a long way since the turbulent sixties but, sadly racial tensions are still alive and slowly itching their way back as a major issue in our country.
This act of spineless racism wouldn’t be expected on a highly respected Ivy League school or any college campus for that matter. Higher education in America- through Affirmative Action and need-blind Admissions- forces people of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds to live, work, and socialize together thereby creating greater understanding and respect for each other. But, this horrendous act illustrates that this process does not always work and racism is still major problem and should not be ignored.
Every African-American or anyone for that matter should take this act as a threat to our way of life as Columbia University President Lee Bollinger stated "This is an assault on African-Americans and therefore is an assault on every one of us." We should not ignore this act or any threat to our way of life as minimal and hope it works itself works. There is a greater and dire need to address racism and racial tensions before something tragic happens. The Louisiana Jena-6 incident- where Constantine grew up- is an example of what can happen when we choose to ignore and not address these issues.
Racial harmony is something we all strive for but it is not going to happen over-night and by itself. Every citizen deserves the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and any threat against any one of us- whether white, black, or anything else- should not be taken lightly and we should all take this as a threat to our way of life.
