Series of Racial Incidents a ‘Rude Awakening’ at University of Virginia
RICHMOND, Va.
Barely a week into the start of classes at the University of Virginia, a string of racial incidents has jarred the campus and cast a shadow over initiatives to combat racism at the school.
There have been five separate racial incidents in the past two weeks, including menacing messages scrawled on doors and ethnic slurs shouted from passing cars.
In response, more than 250 students gathered on campus last weekend to denounce the hate crimes, and some students have suggested making hate speech a violation of the campus honor code.
“The writer of the spiteful words and the passing motorist who shouts an insult have no place in a community built on mutual trust and respect,” university President John Casteen III wrote in a statement e-mailed to students and staff.
Charlottesville and university police are investigating the five incidents, the first reported Aug. 20, school spokeswoman Carol Wood said this week.
