A group dedicated to diversity at Indiana University thought it would be a good idea to put up a huge bulletin board just in time for the Christmas season asking: “Can Santa Claus be a black man?”
The offensive but festive Foster Quad bulletin board theme featured a black Santa Claus clutching and blowing into a saxophone. There are three stockings in front of a fireplace mantle. There are some presents and a decorated Christmas tree.
Each stocking and then a present floating in midair had a question attached to it.
“If Santa Claus is a black man, wouldn’t all the presents be stolen?” asked one of the questions.
“If Santa Claus is a black man, wouldn’t he only visit the ghetto?” asked another question.
“If Santa Claus is a black man, would you let him come down your chimney?” asked still another.
The fourth question is: “Did you ever play with a black Barbie doll?”
Below each question is white space for passersby to enter answers.
After numerous students expressed outrage, school officials removed the painstakingly planned black Santa design from the bulletin board.
The racially-charged bulletin board was erected by people associated with the school’s CommUNITY Education Program, reports Indiana Public Media.
The CommUNITY Education Program is a standard university-type diversity initiative, according to its home page. A linked “resources” page lists the “GLBT Student Support Services Office,” “La Casa Latino Cultural Center” and the “Office of Women’s Affairs.” The group sponsors an annual civil rights immersion trip. This year, the destination is Tuskegee, Ala.
Here’s a list of the current staff of the group.
IU spokesman Mark Land explained that CommUNITY Education Program members had hoped their racist bulletin board would provoke discussions about racism.
“If you didn’t know any of the context — you just saw the bulletin board — it looked like someone had created a poster that had very negative stereotypes about African Americans,” Land observed in a statement.
Land added that he was certain that the people behind the bulletin board had nothing but the best intentions. He apologized on behalf of the school “if the images offended” anyone because “that clearly wasn’t the intent” of the provocative bulletin board.
On Monday, the school’s official Twitter account explained:
Regarding a controversial bulletin board at Foster Quad: There was a misguided effort to generate discussion about racial stereotypes. (1/3)
— Indiana University (@IUBloomington) December 3, 2013
The sign is being removed. The intention was to educate, not offend, but we recognize the problem and apologize to everyone effected. (2/3)
— Indiana University (@IUBloomington) December 3, 2013
This incident has generated a lot of discussion on important issues. Thank you to everyone who shared their concerns with us. (3/3)
— Indiana University (@IUBloomington) December 3, 2013
Follow Eric on Twitter and on Facebook, and send education-related story tips to erico@dailycaller.com.