Noose hung on Columbia Professor's door
By John Amato Wednesday Oct 10, 2007 9:15pm
Who said racism was a non-issue in America?
Hundreds of Columbia University teachers and students voiced outrage Wednesday over a noose found hanging from a black professor's office door, while police investigated if it was the work of disgruntled students or a colleague.
The 4-foot-long twine noose was found Tuesday on Madonna Constantine's door at Teachers College, a graduate school of education affiliated with Columbia. At a raucous rally Wednesday, Constantine said it was a "blatant act of racism."
Police were testing the noose for DNA evidence, said Deputy Inspector Michael Osgood, commander of the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force.
Sue said he informed Constantine about the noose and she was devastated. She's doing fine," he said. "She's OK. I've talked to her. She's getting a lot of support."...read on
Don't you wonder why the FRC is so concerned with the new hate crimes legislation? To them it's actually only a "thought crime."
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Wonder where they got that clever idea. Good grief.
Oh, and Frist. Like we care.
This crap makes me sad.
This action by racists is something that the tenure of George W. Bush, America's Greatest Conservative President has legitimized. He and his Republican Party, the party of racists, jingoists and nativists have been code-talking racism to it's mouthbreathing base since the days of Nixon. A shame the likes of Conyers and Dingell don't see it that way.
removing habeus corpus is a hate crime!!
absofuckinglutly insane.....who ever does this kinda thing has some real issues...that need to be dealt with.
Speaking of racism, this gem from John Gibson:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200710110004?f=h_top
A.Citizen @ 2:
Just think of the undercurrents that the authoritarian tenure of a President Giuliani will bring to the surface...
The white inhabitants of Jena. Louisiana would say it was just a joke, a harmless prank. And when did a noose have any significance to black people? Oh my goodness, that was so long ago, it's just a big misunderstanding.
Ann Coulter would be so proud. He was probably a Muslim and they aren't perfected Christians either.
What century are we in?
Fucking disgusting.
Cpl Matt Sanchez is one of those Republican fascist types whose been whipping up a lot of hatred at Columbia. It wouldn't surprise me at all if some of his GOP boy-posse perpetrated this disgusting 'joke'. When are people once and for all going to take Republican hate speech seriously?
This is largely the fault of Columbia inviting Ahmadinejad to speak there - all in the name of Free Speech.
If it's OK to allow antisemitic speech and homophobic speech (Ahmadinejad), why not allow racist speech?
"blatant act of racism.”
While I don't doubt that the perpetrator is indeed a racist, we should be clear: Hanging a noose isn't racism, its terrorism. It is a blatant act of terrorism.
Welcome to AmeriKKKa. No one who has been paying attention (by which we exclude all Republicans) has ever doubted that race and racism remain vital issues in America. All you need to do is look at the statistics showing the gross disparities between whites and everyone else. These kinds of things do not simply happen by accident. We, as a society make them happen. This also illustrates what I and many others who grew up in the south have been saying for years: this is not a Southern problem, it is an American problem. Yes, there are some things that are more visible there and it may be worse there in some ways than other parts of the country. On the other hand, Chicago, where I lived for 12 years, is probably the most racist place I have ever been. I say that, having grown up with Jim Crow, segregation (I attended segregated schools for the first 6 years), the Klan, and all the rest in Oklahoma in the 50s and 60s. We have come a long way since then, but we still have a hell of a long way to go.
mrogi @ 5:
that was a weak attempt at humor.......very weak.
Strawberry @ 9:
not the right one.....btw....how your back?
This is just absolutely disgusting. Whoever put this on the door must be ashamed of himself. I'm so sick of people saying we have solved the problem of racism in America. BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T! The Jena 6 is something from the Jim Crow era. This just makes me sick on so many levels. I'm ashamed to even call myself an American.
there's something odd about this case... could be a cry for attention/help... they won't release the security tapes unless they get a warrant. there'll be more to this story than has come out so far.
I wonder if Fred Thompson campaign co-chair George Felix 'Macaca' Allen still keeps a noose hanging in his office?
Hey guys take a look at the google ad on the right side of your screen. Its an advertisement for a gold plated noose for sale for $20 from rembrandt charms.
Charming huh?
"Here's the unmentionable secret. Racism is not that big of a deal anymore. No sensible person supports it. Nobody of importance preaches it. It's rapidly and thankfully becoming an ugly memory."
http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/04/tony_snow_clip.php
I know this is the world of blogging, but Crooks and Liars is my first read, and I beg everyone to go s-l-o-w-l-y on this until there is any evidence that a racist did this.
There are Hate Crimes and Racists, but there are many phony incidents. I teach at a place where a "hate crime" was actually shown to be a person acting out.
Go slowly until there are facts.
I am with jr. This story has too many signs that someone is looking for attention.
deliver us from evil.
Wrong Address:Return to Sender
Dr. Evil.
tjproudamerican @ 23:
I agree to. Let's make sure this doesn't turn out to be a hoax.
mudshark @ 16:
Thanks for asking Muddy, it's always better about now, a couple of vicodan, an ice pack with a wine chaser, life is good. I wait til the rugrats are asleep before I take painkillers and muscle relaxants. I just suck it up during the day. The little demon seeds are just too wily.
Just goes to show you that racism is something that is taught or learned and proves that no matter if you're a highschool drop-out or you've a PHD or you're a genius or a just generally educated beyond the norm you cannot unlearn racism, you can only choose to be a better person and fight your fear- fight it like the hateful ignorant addiction it is.
But never fear! The closeted racist will act a like they are appalled at such a thing! They'll stamp and shout and say tsk tsk tsk and then go home and tell a nigger joke or play golf at their no coloreds allowed country club or slap their daughter for dating a monkey or discipline their boy for kissing a sista! But they'll rant and rave and put their arm around a black person all the while thinking I'm not a racist- see? I've got my arm around a black persons shoulders and I'm outraged at the noose hanging on the door! See mne? Huh? See me? I care for the negro just like the next guy...especially if I got money on the game!
Tommykey @ 26:
a hoax??? they were only kidding right??? no harm really intended--- gfy!!!! hoax my ass!!!
Hanging a noose, even as a prank by "a person acting out" who doesn't think of him or herself as a racist, is a hate crime. It is brandishing a deadly weapon towards a whole segment of society. It's the equivalent of pointing a gun to the head of every black person in the community, only worse even, because unlike most brandishing incidents, it took pre-planning/premeditation instead of just being a spur of the moment reaction by someone not mature enough to own a firearm.
Tommykey @ 26:
until there is evidence that a racist did this??? wow!!! what world do you live in???
Once a year I celebrate black diversity! The other 364 days I spend voting for legislation that keeps them down! Hell I'm voting for legislation that keeps the lesser folk from rising up and dissenting against my corporate buddies! I'm doing my part to support the black man! I have season tickets to the Knicks games! I watch all the sports dominated by the black athletes! Hell! If I can make money off them from side bets and such what the hell do I care if they get special treatment! I mean I didn't get a noose hung around my door! I mean hell! How fair is that? Huh? I thought we were created equal under the eyes of god and the law? Huh? How about that? Some of my best friends are tan!
Hi Strawberry,
Is your husband still in Iraq? I don't know you, but I have a nephew in the Army and he's on the short list to go next, so I pay attention to folks who have loved ones there. My thoughts are with you.
National Brotherhood Week Lyrics
Artist(Band):Tom Lehrer
"One week of every year is designated National Brotherhood Week. This is just one of many such weeks honoring various worthy causes. One of my favorites is National Make-fun-of-the-handicapped Week which Frank Fontaine and Jerry Lewis are in charge of as you know. During National Brotherhood Week various special events are arranged to drive home the message of brotherhood. This year, for example, on the first day of the week Malcolm X was killed which gives you an idea of how effective the whole thing is. I'm sure we all agree that we ought to love one another and I know there are people in the world that do not love their fellow human beings and I hate people like that. Here's a song about National Brotherhood Week."
Oh, the white folks hate the black folks,
And the black folks hate the white folks.
To hate all but the right folks
Is an old established rule.
But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
Lena Horne and Sheriff Clarke are dancing cheek to cheek.
It's fun to eulogize
The people you despise,
As long as you don't let 'em in your school.
Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folks,
And the rich folks hate the poor folks.
All of my folks hate all of your folks,
It's American as apple pie.
But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
New Yorkers love the Puerto Ricans 'cause it's very chic.
Step up and shake the hand
Of someone you can't stand.
You can tolerate him if you try.
Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics,
And the Catholics hate the Protestants,
And the Hindus hate the Moslems,
And everybody hates the Jews.
But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
It's National Everyone-smile-at-one-another-hood Week.
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you.
It's only for a week, so have no fear.
Be grateful that it doesn't last all year!
I know the President of Iran now knows he's how Americans treat other Americans so he's not alone. What's really sad is how the American people treat and think of those Black soldiers putting their lives on the line for America. Just think of it your proud of the USA and join the US Military while the US citizens hang nooses to show Blacks racism is alive and well in the USA. When a Black soldiers loses his life for the USA in return the USA says you're only worth 1/5 so it's no lost. Let's hope we get new Leadership who will let every American know they are equal and valued in their country of the United States of America.
Go slowly until there are facts.
I am with jr. This story has too many signs that someone is looking for attention.
I agree to. Let’s make sure this doesn’t turn out to be a hoax.
Yip! It were probably jist a harmless prank! Or'n attention gitter! Shore! Wy the perfessor hung it on hees own door! Yippers... `nother zample of reverse racism! Damn n*ggers! Whoooo Hoooo! Somebody git me my shotgun `n a box o' twinkies cuz I'm `bout to hang me somethin'! Don' know rightly what it is cause I'm being all cautious `n shit! Ya know?
[Edited-Sitemonitor]
I'm a 49 year old, 6' 2" 200lb jew with a phenotype that does not draw comparison to typical American jews. Thus, for most of my life, I have heard plenty of comments about jews that might not have been said had I looked more "typical". There was the neo-nazi in high school, who condemned jews. When I told him I was jewish, he said I was OK, because he "knew me". Then there all the thousands of times I've heard people say they "Jew'ed someone down..." on price. Or the time I asked a clerk at a hardware store why a product was a bit higher than anywhere else and he told me "The owner of the store is jewish, what do you expect?" There is a lingering stereotype in this country, of blacks, jews, gays, etc., and if the reichwingers have their choice, liberals, minorities, non-mainstream religions, gays and lesbians, and so many others will continue to be hated by the mainstream because they are different. They foment hate speech, and it is imbued into our everyday discourse. We must fight all forms of subliminal, uncontested hate speech in all its forms. Hanging a noose is no different from burning a cross, or saying things that are hurtful because people don't understand they are insulting YOU. You got to fight for your right...
Shit! In my excitement to figger out if'n it's racist `r reverse racist `n all I fergot my dadgummed rope! Gotta go! Come on, Cletus! Hop in th' truck! Cuz we gotta git `er done!
snitramc @ 35:
Agreed, except hanging a noose is much worse than burning a cross. It combines the same threat with a deadly weapon. A noose is every bit as much a deadly weapon as a gun or a knife, and hanging it is brandishing of a deadly weapon to intimidate every black person in the community.
john bourne harbour @ 30:
The world where things like this happen:
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
I'm not saying this is the case here. [Then why bring it up?]
It might very well be a real case of racial intimidation. [Ya think?]
Matt in Texas @ 32:
MATT! Hey! He's supposed to be on his way home, last time I heard from him he was in Germany. Should be here either tomorrow or Saturday. I don't excited anymore til I get the official call. Thank you so much for remembering and asking.
snitramc,
There was the neo-nazi in high school, who condemned jews. When I told him I was jewish, he said I was OK, because he “knew me”.
And there in lies the key, my friend. In that one bit of your comment the mystery is solved but not cured.
I found your commet to be quite honest about the dispicable act of fear dressed as racism and plastered by those that speak but do not think. If he liked you it was lost on him that if he knew others he may not use such ignorant words.
Tommykey @ 26:
I agree. Why isn't the university willing to share video of the scene that could help the investigation? I think this is going to turn out very badly.
I honestly have know idea whether this was a "hate crime" (or even what a "hate crime" is), but it sure looks like a death threat to me. I don't really care if it was done by a racist or not; it's still a death threat.
[...] Crooks and Liars » Noose hung on Columbia Professor’s door [...]
Tulsa and Tommy-you guys both live in the same world:where idiots do stupid and often hateful things.
Randy @ 12:
I agree. It's time we banned Israeli war criminals from entering the United States too.
Sharon comes to mind.
And Olmert for using cluster bombs on civilian populations.
Racism will always be an issue in this country as long as we have ignorant bastards teaching it to their children. People aren't born racists, after all.
All in all though, I agree. We should ban people who say hateful things because speech is more dangerous than actions.
Strawberry, that's great! Let's hope it's the last time he's in such a dangerous situation. And thank him for me for his service and sacrifice.
Hey....if burning an American flag is constitutionally protected free speech, so is placing a toy noose on a doorknob. If I'm on the jury, whoever did this walks......
The cons get the righties all worked up with immigration then they need to get mad at African Americans as their next fix in their gateway drugs of racism
jr @ 19:
True--it smacks to me of the California case in which it was discovered that the alleged "victim" was indeed the perpatrator, in order to get attention, etc. I hope this is fully investigated before jumpin' conclusions.
EVERY single professor should hang a noose on their door tomorrow morning.
That would end the stigma -- one fell swoop.
Anyone who reads this who can pass it on to someone to start it, please do.
eastcoasty, what an incredibly bad idea
The question I have is why are they hiding the trick that hung the noose? They have the bastard on film and they need to come on out with it, to show the world what a real sleazy ass hole looks like and to put him in position to worry about his well being for the rest of his dame life.
We really need to come up off this kind of shit. It is so unnecessary for people to act this way and it just adds to the problems we already have all over the world.
The same old people creating the same old stupid ass crimes and being Shield by this right wing team of so called law enforcement and judicial creeps.
We really have to pull together and denounce this kind of hatred in our country. I think black Americans are slowly coming to terms with this kind of crap as it is playing out all over this country and really needs to be looked at for exactly what it is.
A hate crime that needs to have tough strong penalties attached to make these people think real hard about their actions. The people doing this, think it's cute.
George Hanshaw @ 52:
Would you like to say this same shit, while walking through south central LA, you bastard?
George Hanshaw @ 52:
Sure...one says "I protest against America" and the other says "You'd be better off dead."
Tell you what...next time you are in DC, walk up to the guards at the gate of the White House, make a threat against the President's life, and see where your "free speech" gets you.
I hope you follow-up on this one - I want to know what happens.
*
Mean people SUCK.
*
They think this shit is funny? Well let me tell you something. I catch someone putting something like that on someones door to make a hatefull statement? I am going to open up a can of whopp ass on them. The time has come to stop pussy footing around with these shitheads.
George Hanshaw @ 52:
For even thinking the two are comparable makes me see you are an even bigger asshole than I first suspected.
This story sure brought the trolls out in force. They care naught about constitutional issues, they just want to spread their hatred around. That's the right for ya. Bitter racists.
George Hanshaw @ 52:
No one has actually ever used a burning flag to lynch someone though, right?
Why is it that BushAmerica has "free speech zones" that close public arenas off to public discourse, but threatening to lynch someone is always kosher?
A sickness is engulfing the United States, that sickness is hate and hate leads to death and destruction. Beyoncer Welch - A Concerned African American woman.
This could very well be a hoax, there were several instances of fake hate crimes in the 90s. Some were done by "activists" trying to stir up interest and looking for the limelight. wait til the facts are in. the Jena situationwas serious because the court case and sentancing not because of the noose.
There is a 99 percent chance this is bogus, i.e., it really happened, of course, but not by a culprit racist, but by someone inside. Why else would the school refuse to hand over the security camera video tapes that would show who did it? There can be no other rightful reason.
This trick happens ALL the time (not just with nooses, but "victims" victimizing themselves and then raising a riot about it and gaining sympathy points).
Beyonce Welch @ 67:
Sadly, it's not new, it's just being re-kindled. People in high places seem to encourage it, and certainly make no efforts to stop it. What can you expect from an administration that talks (only talks) about human rights, but tortures people?????
Ah! They're testing it for DNA evidence. (And yes, he who did it must have left his DNA -- can you tie a noose knot wearing gloves?) Besides, the neanderthals who would do such a thing have no doubt never even heard of DNA. I can just hear him: "My fingerprints can't be left on this rope."
But DNA -- it can even be in tiny molecules of sweat.
I'll tell you -- I would never EVER commit a crime, even if I were so inclined -- because of DNA science. Even if your DNA isn't on file, they can tell your race, eye color, etc. -- down to the percentages of each race (such as 76% caucasian, 24% African American, etc.) in your body -- in your blood, semen, sweat, etc. As an FBI rep. said, "Someday soon, you might as well leave your driver's license at a crime -- you will be identified."
George Hanshaw @ 52:
Really? How many people were killed with a burning flag? What deadly message is sent by burning a flag?
A noose is a deadly weapon. The premeditated crime of making it and placing it victimizes all black people in the community. It is MUCH worse than burning a cross or painting a swastika. Regardless of the intent, it is a hate crime. It is a meta-assault with a deadly weapon.
Free speech doesn't give anyone a right to place a loaded gun to the head or a knife to the throat of anyone and threaten to kill them.
A noose is no different. In fact it's worse. It's doing just that to every black person in the community.
Be careful running with this story. The facts are very murky and not at all clear - yes, there is racism in America, but this one might be more muddled .... focus on the clear cases out there.
In the end, this was nothing but a hoax, as most campus "Hate Crimes" turn out to be.
The ignorant behavior of a single individual shouldn’t be seen as a reflection of a group and certainly not a nation. It is a crime, but it isn’t a sign of the failure of the rest of us that find such things abhorrent to our core values. By making this so much more then it is empowers the fools that do it and those that would do it just to get a rise out of people. Keep things like this in perspective.
What happened to stick and stones will break my bones but words and symbols can't hurt you unless your pushing an agenda. (think about it).
Welcome to modern America!
You can't just say it is the greatest....it actually has to be great.
Sorry.
Rush to War @ 76:
What agenda is someone pushing if they hold a loaded gun to you and your entire family's and all of your friend's heads and threaten to kill you all? Is that not a crime to you? BFD you wouldn't want anyone to call the cops or make a big deal? Really? That's what hanging a noose is/does.
noose=gun=knife. All are tools of death and the threat and intent is the same.
You reallly don't know how this works justabill, These are called false flags just like some-one breaking bottles all over parking lots and then legislature passes bill agaisnt consuming alcohol beverages any where, when the simplest solution would be to add more trash cans.
last comment was scrubbed, tried to explain it to justabill, but have to go.
Rush to War @ 79:
Oh yeah, threatening with a deadly weapon is just like littering. Your "agenda" is now even more apparent than it is idiotic.
Randy @ 12:
Are you serious? Really, did you mean to write this?
It's now reported that Columbia won't turn over the surveillance tapes to the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force...hmmm...could we have another situation like Kerri Dunn @ Claremont McKenna?
You are all going to look quite silly when this turns out to be a hoax. Remember how you feel now when your unfounded opinion of America as a racist society is shattered. If that doesn't at least make you a *little* more cautious in your accusations, you need to reevaluate your ideology.
A "Hoax" my black ass! Suppose it was hung from a white person's door? Would you still call it just a "hoax" if it was hanging on YOUR front door???
This is a link to a youtube video entitled " WE HATE BLACKS AND HISPANICS " This parody the sentiments of the top repuKKKlan presidential candidates.
Let's face it. A hate crime meets every learned definition of terrorism that exists. It's true intent is not exclusively to harm the individual but to inflict fear and terror on that person's peers. Hate crime legislation should be a cornerstone in the "war on terror". This is terrorism in it's truest form and the repugs should be all over this stuff!
This is really starting to get out of hand. I'm almost DISTRACTED. Seriously, it's like someone wants to start a nation-wide race riot. Can you say 'martial law'?
Dandy you miss the point. If someone on her side put the noose there to show that there are racists at Columbia, and there ARE fake "Hate Crimes", this professor will lose all credibility. The fact that the security tape has not been released is a bad sign. At my school, a person injured themselves to get attention about a decade ago and the school was in full sympathy mode, including rallies where we asked "what kind of society are we?" When it was SHOWN that no such crimne took place, liberal/progressive politics were set back for a long time.
Nobody is saying that a noose is a prank. Wait and see who did it and then we can talk about this event.
[Quit it. You are trying to discredit this incident because someone somewhere else may have staged something. Nothing at this time says that this incident was staged-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic. Bigotry-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
[Deleted. Off topic. Bigotry-Sitemonitor]
You are kidding right? If you aren't that's as silly as saying all white people hate people of color because there are some whites who spew hatred against non-whites.
Blacks are the new nazi party...uh yeah...right.
Uh...hold on...I just read some of your other comments. You proabably do think all white people hate black people and think that's a good thing. I'm just saying...
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
I respectfully disagree. Hanging a noose may be terrorism but its terrorism by using a symbolically racist means. It is not accident that a hanging noose was choose as a vehicle to instill terror in an African-American woman. Why not a suspicious looking package? Why not a swastika? Why not threatening letters or some other insulting and equally terrifying tactic? The history of lynching black folks is well-documented in this country. These lynching’s were driven by racism. Using the symbol of that manifestation of racism, because it would mean something to a black woman is an act of terrorism through racism as far as I am concerned.
I guess its the historical context in which one was used over the other. One connotes the "Old South" and all that that stands for. The other does not. Besides, who are you to tell a group of people how they should be called? If you don't like "person of color" and think its so innocent to say "colored person" then you should go right ahead and start using it in your vocabulary and state your logic for this if questioned...or not. Moreover person of color is usually meant to apply not just to African-Americans but non-white people; whereas colored person was historically meant only to apply to African-Americans. But again, you do what you see fit I am sure you feel comfortable calling non-whites "colored people" given how righteously indignat you are about the term. Have at it and good luck to you in all your future endeavors.
And although I am sure you won't believe this, I have known this prof personally for many years -- before she moved from Austin, TX to Philly and then to NYC. I find it highly unlikely that she created this as a hoax -- highly unlikely.
They definitely have to suspect and question every Reslug on campus.
[Deleted. Off topic-Sitemonitor]
The Train of Thought @ 91:
a nice complete set of lies. I haven't seen a troll this racist in some time.
Is the professor a dwarf? Maybe he was just trying to end it all...
dandy @ 85:
It most likely would not make the news if it was hung on a white professor's door. Obviously, the symbolism of it being placed on the door of a black professor is much stronger. Of course, I would not call it a hoax if it was on my front door, even if I arranged for it to be hung there. That would kind of defeat the purpose, dontcha think???
oswald @ 105:
Had it been hung on a white professor's door, it would've been called an act of "peaceful protest" and a part of "freedom of speech," and the ACLU would be defending the right of the hanger to put it there...
Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found On Columbia Bathroom Wall
UPDATED: 10:17 am EDT October 12, 2007
http://www.wnbc.com/news/14322201/detail.html
Well I'll be ... another "incident" at Columbia Univ.
Note NOT found at the scene: you see, WE'RE more victimized than you....what's a noose compared to the Third Reich?!
As Robert Allen Zimmerman said: "...propaganda...all is phony."
Thanks for sharing this. As an I find this equally repugnant and I am saddened to think that others, including African Americans (of which I am one), would not...if that's what you are implying. Its all quite a disturbing trend.
[Deleted. Stormfront musings-Sitemonitor]
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