Earlier this week, college students at the University of Missouri successfully protested the mishandling of racial incidents on campus, leading to the resignation of the then president. But, before they could really celebrate, violent threats against minority students on that campus were unleashed all over social media.
According to The Washington Post, the menacing messages were sent through Yik Yak and said things like:
“I’m going to stand my ground tomorrow and shoot every black person I see.”
“We’re waiting for you in the parking lots. We will kill you.”
Obviously, threats like those should be taken seriously, especially with all the mass shootings that have been taking place recently. That’s why several students decided it would be safer for them to remain inside and not attend classes. One Mizzou student, Jasmine Birt, notified her teacher of her fears, let him know she would not be in class the next day, and asked when she would be able to make up the exam. What her professor said will shock you:
My professor clearly doesn’t care. He still expects me to go to class for an exam while THREATS ARE BEING MADE! pic.twitter.com/R2JO6D723w
— killa² (@_youlovejas) November 11, 2015
That same professor went on to compare racists making very real death threats to bullying, and said, “If you give into bullies, they win. The only way bullies are defeated is by standing up to them. If we cancel the exam, they win. If we go through with it, they lose,” reports The Washington Post. Yeah, no. Terrorism — which is what these death threats are — is NOT the same as bullying. At. All. Somebody needed to let him know, real quick. And they did — he has now resigned, as well.
In the few days since, though, more death threats against Black and other minority students have gone out on other college campuses, most recently Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Are you a college student who’s experienced racism on campus? Share your story in the comments below.