Earlier this morning when students rose for class at Lincoln University (PA) they were greeted by a shocking addition to the schools welcoming sign. Spray-painted in “Lincoln Lion” orange, the word “nigger” is found in capital letters and now, the sign reads “Lincoln NIGGER University”.
The word “nigger” originates the Latin word “niger” which means black. The use of the term nigger was popularized during a time sensitive to each African-American: slavery. Throughout history in the United States of America, African-Americans have been referred to as “negroes” “colored” “three-fifths” “monkey” and “nigger”, all in an effort to avoid recognizing them as human beings and to deem them lesser than.
Junior, Mass Communication major Kwame Millers says “students here are outraged but not discouraged; Because this happened during midterm week and Black History Month, we are encouraged by this event to advance the legacy like those before us.”
This hate crime comes has unfortunate timing, as it is Black History Month (no time would ever be appropriate). Though African-Americans proudly celebrate Black History around the year, February is a designated and nationally recognized celebration to honor Black history.
The 2015 theme for Black History Month is “A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture,” a tribute to Carter G. Woodson when 100 years ago he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), which led to the establishment of Black History Month.
We are positive he hoped events of this nature would be long gone today.
