ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Last week, it was the Eastern Michigan University campus that was hit by racist graffiti. This week, racist posters were found at the University of Michigan.
The fliers have since been removed, but students said they were posted in chat rooms and some of the dorms and academic buildings around campus.
"It says why white women shouldn't date black men," a student said. "He's more likely to abuse you. He's more likely to have STDs."
One flier advocated that white women stay away from black men. Another said, "White people have the right to exist and not live in fear."
"We have nothing to lose but our chains," a student said.
Earlier Monday, groups of students held a peaceful protest on campus against the anti-black fliers.
"I was actually at the protest today, and I think it's a valid response from students for what's been going on on campus," Yara Gayar said. "It's unacceptable."
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"Coming to this university, I didn't think I would have to experience something like that," Derrell Chapman said.
Members of fraternities and other campus groups, like the Black Student Union, gathered to watch the presidential debate Monday night. They said peaceful protesting is important, but fighting at the ballot box is the key.
"Obviously, it's very disturbing and it's really important that students are heard in this election," Blake McCarren said.
The University of Michigan released the following statement after several "racist" fliers were found Monday morning in Haven and Mason halls at the Ann Arbor campus.
Here is the full statement from the university:
Early this morning, a member of our University of Michigan community found and removed several fliers in Haven and Mason halls, in the heart of central campus, that espouse a racist point of view.
Messages of racial, ethnic or religious discrimination have no place at the University of Michigan. Targeted attacks against groups of people serve only to tear apart our university community.
While we continue to defend any individual’s right to free speech on our campus, these types of attacks directed toward any individual or group, based on a belief or characteristic, are inconsistent with the university’s values of respect, civility and equality. We also have a responsibility to create a learning environment that is free of harassment. These are core values and guiding principles that will help us as we strive to live up to our highest ideals.
In this time of heightened political strife, we believe these values take on even more importance as people and beliefs are targets of divisive rhetoric. But amidst these challenging times, our core values can help ground our community.
These types of incidents can be reported to the university’s Bias Response Team at 734-615-BIAS (2427). More information is available online here.
We stand together against hate and we all must work together toward deeper understanding.
Mark Schlissel,
President
Martha Pollack,
Provost
Royster Harper,
Vice President for Student Life
Rob Sellers,
Vice Provost for Equity, Inclusion and Academic Affairs