At Rhodes College, a recent incident sparked enough anger to light up the campus like a holiday tree in December. Images of racially charged flyers were found plastered around the National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza, which, as luck would have it, is the only area dedicated to honoring historically Black sororities and fraternities on campus. Now, imagine students showing up to class only to find flyers filled with disgusting slurs. It’s enough to make anyone question not just their school’s commitment to a safe learning environment, but also the common sense of humanity.
The students weren’t holding back their feelings about this little addition to campus decor. Lauren Roberts, a student and member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, expressed how many felt about the situation, saying that it was a real disgrace. She rightly pointed out that while the college claimed they were investigating, two weeks had already passed without any leads, leaving many students feeling less than satisfied. That’s like saying you’re going to catch a big fish but spending two weeks just looking at the bait. Not very reassuring!
But wait, it gets crazier! Just when everyone was gearing up for a communal vent session over the tasteless act, the college announced that the person responsible had come forward. Plot twist: they did it with the goal of falsely blaming someone else! This doozy of a twist leaves everyone wondering if we’ve stepped into an episode of a really bad soap opera instead of real life. The college community is undoubtedly left feeling not just angry, but betrayed, as their space for respect and honor was smeared with juvenile vandalism.
Now, as the investigation unfolds, there’s a collective question hanging in the air: why the heck are we still seeing acts like this? The perpetrator decided that the best way to express a very confusing predicament was to lean into stereotypes—and for what? To take a jab at Trump? The baffling logic behind such a stunt makes one wonder what goes on in someone’s head when they think this will actually make a difference. It’s like trying to study for a big test while simultaneously planning a pizza delivery. One of them requires all your focus, buddy!
The Memphis Police department, in full comedic style, labeled this as a hoax, which naturally leads to an uproar from both the college and the community. Some folks even suggested that the reason the perpetrator hasn’t been outed yet is due to a need to protect them. Because nothing says “let’s tackle hate” quite like keeping the face of the perpetrator hidden. Instead, they’re left with a community simmering in frustration, wondering how the school could let this happen—for two weeks with no leads!
So, while this whole saga pulls at the heartstrings regarding the persistence of racism in various forms, it should also serve as a wake-up call that the fight against ignorance needs more than just light protests and official statements. It needs action, accountability, and perhaps a few reality checks. After all, the only way to truly heal and build an inclusive community is not just to throw shade on the idiots but to ensure everyone feels respected—in a genuinely safe environment. Until that happens, bear in mind that someone’s “big statement” can very easily turn into an “equal opportunity embarrassment” for everyone involved.
