After Obama's win, a noose is hung in Texas
CNN's Rick Sanchez has the story. From AP:
Baylor University officials said they are investigating an apparent noose hanging from a tree the day Barack Obama was elected the nation's first black president.
Campus authorities also responded to a barbecue pit fire where several Obama campaign signs were believed to have been burned, interim president David E. Garland said.
"These events are deeply disturbing to us and are antithetical to the mission of Baylor University," Garland said in a statement Wednesday. "We categorically denounce and will not tolerate racist acts of any kind on our campus."
On Tuesday afternoon at the world's largest Baptist university, some students notified officials that a rope resembling a noose was in a campus tree, Garland said. Campus police took the rope and are investigating.
The student paper at Baylor, The Lariat, has more:
Devin Culberson, Spring freshman, found a thin, white rope tied to a loop at the end, hanging from a tree. Culberson borrowed a knife from a janitor and cut it down, he said.
The rope evokes historical images of when black people were hanged from trees in the American South in the early 1900s.
The rope is now in possession of the Baylor Police. Dub Oliver, Vice President of Student Life, says that he believes it was intended to look like a noose and send a hateful message. He hopes students will continue to come forward and help with the investigation.
Culberson believes the rope was put in a tree to intimidate black supporters of president-elect Barack Obama.
"I had to cut it down to show respect for myself and other black people," he said.
That wasn't all. As the AP mentions, there was a bonfire made of Obama signs. And outside one of the residence halls, there was nearly a riot:
Later, verbal altercations occurred outside of Penland Residence Hall. A group of Obama supporters were walking around shouting "Obama" and then passed a group of white men outside who made threatening and racist remarks, said Emmanuel Orupabo, Arlington senior.
According to Orupabo, one the men told the group, "Any (expletive) who walks by Penland, we're going to kick their (expletive), we're going to jump him." Orupabu and the people with him stopped and responded, "Excuse me?" The groups shouted at each other until police showed up.
Doak said the police didn't witness any racist remarks, but they were told of them. There were only about 10 to 15 people involved, he said, but there appeared to be more because so many stopped to watch.
Looks like the fuse lit by McCain and Palin isn't going out so readily.
Burning things has a long tradition as a method of protest. I can't think of a reason it would be racist. What's the problem?
[Deleted. Flamebaiting. Site Monitor]
Clearly you cannot explain or you would have instead of just trying to insult me (I'm not insulted because I don't know you and your opinion means nothing.)
Is burning flags also racist? Burning books?
Get over yourself.
It depends on the context.
If they were burning it because they just do not agree with Obama's policies, then sure, it's a form of protest. but I'm also guessing that they did not own the signs, and were probably stolen from people's lawns. That makes it more of an act of vadalism.
Of course, if they did burn the Obama signs because he's black, then yes, it's racist.
But unless they are caught we'll never know for sure.
Nooses obviously are veiled threats. Signs are not. Could be racism, could just be college students burning stuff.
Thanks for the civil reply.
that is the obvious racist sign.
Obviously you chose to ignore it, as that allows you to play coy.
So yeah... obviously, there have been tons of nooses hung as protest for white presidents before. This would never ever have anything to do with the symbolism of lynching of black people. Right? And there I was wondering where all the concern trolls had gone...
I did not mention the noose because obviously it is a racist threat. I asked only about the signs because burning them is not inherently a racist act.
I'm sorry you have poor reading comprehension and even sorrier that you have to insult strangers on the Internet to feel superior. If your life is that sad, go ahead and insult me again. I feel sorry for you.
I apologized that my efforts to make a point faied. To suggest that that burning of those Obama posters was only a sign of protest, and not in a racist context, you were being ignorant to your own history. Those bigots were symbolically burning a black man....and if you don't see the historical meaning of that act, I in turn feel sorry for you.
Why do you feel the need to clarify who the apology was for?
Oh, and I wasn't talking to you. Read up.
This should be quite popular over the next four years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llqM94-bYvg
Seriously...take a look. I wrote it four years ago and it's even more relevant today.
Marked as a favorite...
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
Thank you. I love that username.
A method of protest? What were they "protesting?"
On a campus where a noose was found hanging in a tree, and a disruptive (police were called) altercation in which racist expletives were hurled took place between two groups of students, I wonder what would make any SMART person just "assume" the burning of Obama signs was racist? Stupid people all around you, huh, "jn." You're SO smart.
Now, what was it they were "merely protesting" when they burned the signs?
DEMOCRACY, evidently.
What are flag burners protesting? I guess you'd say "democracy" because you're so "smart".
Please notice that I never called myself smart OR anyone else dumb. I asked a genuine question and have received nasty replies. At least yours attempts to answer the question.
However, none of those articles claim the noose and the signs were the work of the same people. We don't know that. And again, people burn things at protests all the time.
Protesting democracy? Probably not. Protesting Obama's win, I'd say. Not necessarily for racist reasons.
In an effort to respond without rancor let me say that i think it is reasonable to think the burning of the signs was racially motivated given the local political climate. Burning something in public could certainly be considered a protest. Not clear about the meaning of burning something in private.
And in hindsight, I should have made that clearer in my OP. I was just trying to say that without knowing more than "burned signs were found" it seemed like jumping the gun to immediately cry racism. I don't think burning signs is inherently a racist act.
Thanks for the civil reply.
I hate to admit it, but for different reasons Obama is also a polarizing figure.
if your a racist.
Jumped on the Bill Bennett bandwagon have you, L&L?
Obama tends to be polarizing because he's... thin. Maybe it was fat guys who burned the signs. LOL
Sometimes you've got to laugh at this shit, buddy.
the only reason Obama could be seen as polarizing is because of the lies and hate spread by the McGrumpy and Stupid traveling road show!
I didn't hear anyone in the Obama rallies calling for McCain to be killed, or that Palin was a terrorist, or anything close to that. The Republican bigotry machine was put in motion so people would say "Obama is polarizing too" - because they know the American people can be fooled by a bumper-sticker - most of the time.
It's all from their side. The right-wing side.
ALL of it.
Those who don't see that -- who ascribe equivalency between the angry, hostile and filthy McCain "campaign" and the calm, cool and restrained Obama campaign -- are simply stupid or deluded or both. Period.
BID
I deeply doubt that you "hate to admit it."
What would be a non-polarizing figure for you, leftandleft?
....Obama through absolutely zero fault of his own, is a "polarizing figure" to those who will never accept him. I did not mean anything hateful in my irony except to say that Obama in his noble effort to bring this nation together at this critical time will always be seen by some(guilt ridden bigots) as a problem simply because of who he is.
Nooses, fires, Texas.
From "Cheers" circa 1980
Cliff: Let's burn him in effigy!
Coach: Why go all the way to Effigy, let's burn him right here!
Sad.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
What's wrong with people?
They resent a person of color attaining such a high office. LeftandLeft may disagree with my opinion from his own perspective, but that's the way I see it.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
it's the ignorance and head-up-their-own-ass that's really showing. These people don't understand jackshit about tolerance. They certainly don't understand that we're all the same... nobody's better than anyone else. It's that straightforward, period.
The hang the noose from the tree/burn the cross on the lawn pointy white hood people are just willfully ignorant trash. They have no power but irrational fear and hereditary hate. It's time to drive them underground where they can continue to live in the 19th Century if they wish.
It was probably an Obama supporter doing it to elicit sympathy from the main stream media.
Wait for it...it's coming.
It was Joe the Klansman.
Republicans aren't the solution. Republicans are the PROBLEM
These people need to clue in to the fact that Race is only skin deep and we are all God's Children, we are also - each and every one of us - all part of the human race... Ignorance needs to fade away by each of us setting an example by getting along and understanding and respecting our differences. THere is no room FOR FEAR AND HATE! If anyones differences include these two things, there will be no tollerance nor respect for the beholders of such things...They will fade away!
God's Children?
FEAR AND HATE are promoted by religion.
Fear and hate are promoted by bigots and fear-mongers who, like the cowards they are, hide behind religion and use it as an excuse.
The idiots who did this at Baylor may be attending a Christian college, but they've missed the point. If they had actually studied instead of spending their time acting like ignorant assholes they would know Yeshua was not a white man.
I'd like to give them all a good kick and dope slap them into reality. They're giving the rest of us a bad reputation.
There you go, sounding like Christ.
How unchristian of you.
I think I'm turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so.....
The next time these redneck idiots want to secede, I say let them. Make your own little white world and die off.
Democratic Party progressive, Vietnam veteran and proud Union member for 41 years
NOOOO! Don't leave me here by myself with these idiots.
Gee, Baylor, Christian University, problem with Klan like activities, huh, gee. The South is full of bigots.
Possibly, but I note with optimism the response from Baylor officials - unalloyed condemnation. They deserve some credit here, I think.
They're just mad because the AmeriKan Dreme is about to die. Uncle Sam definitely had one in the grave and the other on a banana peel, but he has made a miraculous recovery. Someone just needed to remove the knife out of his back from Dick and George.
Government + the Federal Reserve = organized crime
They are trying to pretend that their opinions count. They are chicken shit but they like making a big scene and looking like they have some control.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Most of these guys are cowards who only do this shit anonymously or with sufficient numbers to bolster each other's courage. But that doesn't make them less dangerous. They may be a very small minority but they're bat-shit crazy and armed. I'm afraid it's going to get very ugly.
I think I'm turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so.....
Looks like some ugly stuff is coming out of the "Rear End Of the Elephant!" It is interesting that this behavior is coming out of a "Christian" University, but that does not surprise me anymore. I guess Voting your "MORALS" doesn't apply to the Republicans party anymore.......Here is proof that It never really did. Christians need to "know them by their fruits" and get a clue!
by Billie Holliday is about lynching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ZyuULy9zs
I'm ready for these racist turds to come out of the woodwork.
By the way, C&L folks - is anyone else seeing the anti-obama Sodahead ads that say "Ready to Kiss Your Paycheck Goodbye?" John Amato, you might want to do something about that. Those ads suck.
I mean really. Still trying to rule with fear.
me-oww!
I haven't noticed them, but I don't pay much if any attention to the ads here.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Although the bonfire lighting signs is new, the business with the nooses has been going on for about a year now.
I think the colleges may've been lowering their standards too much now.
Here locally, we had a group of college kids who were going to pack pistols in school, and make it look like an old-so political protest.
The police reported not having seen a single gun.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
that we are going to see a sharp rise in militia-type groups very soon. That's what happens when you have people like Hannity, Glenn Beck, Limbaugh and those types spewing anti-government hate that will stoke the fires of these wackos.
Remember Oklahoma City?
It's going to be real important in these next few years to put pressure on the sponsors of shows like Limbaugh, Hannity, etc, when they start speaking hateful things that will get these right-wing loonies worked up.
These people need to start caring more about their country than about their stupid little political party.
Does anyone have links to current sponsors of Rush's show? We already do our best to boycott sponsors of Faux, Headline News and others but the only link I've found to Rush's sponsors is as old as Moses. I'd like something more current to make sure my money isn't going to these jerks.
Well we've been staring at this suspicious package for decades now. Perhaps it is time to detonate it.
I am so SICK of racist jerks I could vomit. [Deleted. Please don't advocate violence at this site. Site Monitor]
Instead of messing with ropes, just hold it until you can vomit in their open convertibles.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
I'm sorry to have crossed the line, but I'm a 69 year-old white woman who grew up in the South, and before I was a teenager, the KKK lynched a black man from my small town, hung him from a rope in the swamp. They were caught and included the county sheriff and his son, who sat beside me at band practice.
So I grew up haunted by the conflict between what I was taught by my religion and what I was taught overtly and covertly about "negroes". As a result, I worked in civil rights law enforcement almost all of my adult life, and because the same damn kind of racism has reared its ugly head yet again, I am furious and think these jerks are bullies and sneaks who can't be reached by rational people.
Maybe somebody has a way to reach these people and they don't need a smackdown. I sure wish I knew how.
to drive a car having my Connecticut plates through Oklahoma or Texas.
Far too much anger and hatred towards "outsiders and liberal elites" there (though I'm not elite and am more libertarian than anything else).
You're likely to be pulled over by podunk cops for "being in the wrong neighborhood", especially off the interstates.
"Parachutes are allowed in checked or carry-on baggage, but may not be worn in flight."
---Southwest Airlines
n/t
This Rick Sanchez fella is becoming a neat-o kinda guy!
I beat he listens to The Horn
Over the next four years, the worst and most difficult job in the world will be President of the United States.
The runnerup?
Secret Service.
3rd might very well be .. Citizens..
Although I am glad that Barack looks like he made friends with his SS agents..
The moderate republicans are waking up and seeing that this sort of thing could ruin their party even more than it already has. This last election showed that Americans is moving on. They are no longer going to let fear and hate drive their lives. People like these who hung the nooses and cry out the hate, are losing their power and I'm afraid it will drive them to do even worse acts
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
...where we had high hopes for a further turn to a bluer state.
Unfortunately, that didn't happen.
Ironically, Baylor University is a religiously-affiliated school. Perhaps they need to require that all students take remedial classes emphasizing Christian values such as tolerance, kindness, and love for one's neighbor.
However, don't judge us all by the actions of a few.
My wife and I, in our mid-50s, wore our Obama t-shirts all around town Tuesday, about 15 miles south of downtown Dallas. We got lots of winks, nods, thumbs-up, high-fives, etc., from people of all races.
Incidently, I had a talk with my next door neighbor today, a guy who you'd consider just a good ol' Texas country boy. He asked me, "So, what do you think of our new President?"
I responded by saying how we "needed some real change," and we're happy to see it happen.
He replied, "Yeah, well I voted for him, too."
Floored me. Right there. But that's what we have to do. Change 'em one heart and one mind at a time.
Thanks for sharing it.
When I look at Barack Obama -- son of a Kenyan father and a Kansas mother -- I see a long-overdue post-racial America.
Deal with it, all your racist assholes out there.
When he took office in 2001, some aides found their computer keyboards were missing the W key - a nod to the middle initial in George W. Bush. Staff members of outgoing President Bill Clinton were suspected and criticized for acting immaturely.
This has been proven to be a figment of Ari Fleischer's imagination:
Now it seems those closely detailed stories were largely bunk. Last week it was revealed that a formal review by the General Accounting Office, Congress' investigative agency, "had found no damage to the offices of the White House's East or West Wings or EOB" and that Bush's own representatives had reported "there is no record of damage that may have been deliberately caused by the employees of the Clinton administration."
While cautious GSA staffers won't issue a blanket exoneration of the Clinton team, Bernard Ungar, the agency's director of physical infrastructure, told Salon the media clearly exaggerated the extent of the damage. According to the terse GSA statement that formed the basis of Ungar's conclusion, "the condition of the real property was consistent with what we would expect to encounter when tenants vacate office space after an extended occupancy."
http://archive.salon.com/politics/feature/200...
Most of my family went to Baylor, as a matter of fact.
I can say that none of this surprises me. Baylor and its students have always been fine paragons of Xtianity. (sarcasm) So much so that my experience with Baylor people is a factor in my being an atheist.
As a group, Baylor students are the biggest bunch of hypocrites you will ever encounter. They drink, do drugs, and have premarital sex just like any other college students (which is to say no more and no less), they just pretend they don't. And yes, a lot of them are racist as you would expect.
It's also an expensive, mediocre school. Perfect for spoiled, white rich kids from DFW and Houston.
at Baylor...if you're white, not overly bright, and come from money.
...why it was one of the top picks for the home of the George W. Bush Presidential Library.
(Side note: What the heck is George going to put in his library anyway? The "Mission Accomplished" banner and the brewing instructions for Colt 45?)
I am from Waco too. And this both surprises me and it doesn't. I know tons of people that are appalled by this. And as a current student at the University I will say this doesn't speak for the University as a whole.
There are many on campus that don't support Obama, but the majority of them would never commit these heinous acts. However, there are a group of bigots and racists who will spew their vile. I along with my friends and family are disgusted with these actions.
The actions were all intended racially, and I've seen a few more displays of this racism. Luckily, I only have one more year left. And this staunch liberal will actually move to a thinking and rational part of America.
I just hope the University takes swift action against the bigots. What can you say.... stay classy Obama haters...
Remove please. I did not mean to put this comment here. Thank you
I'd be more worried if there were no noose hung. It would mean they were up to something. This is just impotent men acting out... probably while drunk.
Though if caught, should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
The last officially recorded lynching in the United States occurred in 1968, though many consider the 1998 death of James Byrd in Jasper Texas, at the hands of three whites who hauled him behind their pick-up truck with a chain, a later instance.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27365080/
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain
I can't stand racists, especially childish ones like these. They had their way for 8 f'n years. Now history has been made, and they go into super caveman mode.
Their hate cannot defeat our love and reason.
NOBODY 2012
this racist school would choose such a name for their paper.Disgusting. Why don't you get out of my country? America, Love it or Leave it and Obama is going to be your President whether you like it or not.
First of all the name of the paper has nothing to do with lynchings. Actually it's called the lariat because it's the daily "round-up" of news. Furthermore, the actions of a few do not dictate the feelings of the college. The school is no more racist because of students' actions than is America for some of the bigots' actions. Your narrow-minded views are just as toxic ..
I tried to make a point and failed. The noose has a indescribably horrific history in our Nation that is very upsetting particularly to people like me. It's just that things like what happened on that campus make me very, very worried for the Obama family and the Country. President-elect Obama truly deserves better from us fellow citizens in this monumental effort to rebuild the Nation.
..but have found many of your posts to be civil and intelligent, l&l.
In any case, it's always refreshing when someone tries to clarify and apologizes for when they have misspoken or have perceptibly come across in a negative way. I also share your sentiments of this particular post.
I respect that some don't like President Obama and still feel McCain should have won. But as we've seen more Americans wanted Obama so like we did when Bush took the 2000 election and in 2004 when the election came down to Ohio where the machines were fixed we accepted Bush and the Democracy we live in. Now it's time to do the same for President Obama. I watched John Fitzgerald Kennedy get shot in Texas and I don't want to ever see any President killed again. Our country has suffered enough from the evil within and it's time to move foward together.
Impressive!
It's such a shame that in this millennia, people can't get over their racists views and come together as one to better our nation, environment, and society! It's very sad! Everyone should open up their views and change for the better! WAtch this video...if this doesn't help then its hopeless!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCqVcWzzO74
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