On a day that kicks off a week of celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy in the civil rights movement, a racially and politically charged message was plastered onto a South Carolinian black history display in Gambrell Hall.
The bolder print on the top one reads "DUMB BLACK ASSES," blaming the African American population for giving the U.S. a year under President Trump instead of Sen. Bernie Sanders. The bottom poster reads "You stupid monkeys" in bold, continuing with "handed Trump the White House the minute you handed Hillary the nomination!"
Student Body Vice President Dani Goodreau released a statement on Twitter in response to the posters, which have been taken down.
"I am disgusted by the display of hatred in Gambrell Hall against our African American scholars," Goodreau says. She opted not to repeat explicitly what was displayed in the building.
"I am appalled," she says. "This is an attack on our colleagues, our friends and our Carolina home ... I remain trusting in our university's administration to stand against this atrocious display of racism — and an attack on UofSC core beliefs."
Goodreau has since been retweeted by John Dozier, Chief Diversity Officer & Senior Associate Provost for Inclusion.
University officials have told The Daily Gamecock that a statement regarding the incident will be released.
The university has been responding to tweets about the incident with an assurance that it is being investigated and a link to the Carolinian Creed which includes the line "I will respect the dignity of all persons ... I will discourage bigotry."
Jeff Stensland, Director of Public Relations, issued a statement:
"This morning, flyers bearing racist language were discovered in several buildings on campus. This is unacceptable and inconsistent with our institutional values. At UofSC, we strive to create a campus built on the tenets of the Carolinian Creed, inclusivity and respect for all. These racist messages run contrary to who we are as Gamecocks and have no place at Carolina. University officials are continuing to investigate the matter."