A small liberal arts college in southern Pennsylvania is investigating reports that a racial slur was scratched onto a student’s chest with a box cutter during a men’s swim team gathering at Gettysburg College. The victim’s family labeled the incident as a hate crime, as the victim was the only person of color at the gathering and the offender was a fellow student-athlete and friend. Initially, two students were suspended from the swim team, but the investigation revealed that the student who scratched the slur was no longer enrolled at the college.
The victim’s family stated that their son was dismissed from the swim team without following proper procedures, leading them to file complaints of racial discrimination, harassment, and lack of due process with several organizations. Gettysburg College has called on the community to focus on inclusivity and creating a truly inclusive environment.
The incident has caused profound distress among the college community, with college President Bob Iuliano expressing his concern about the incident’s impact on underrepresented individuals on campus. The college has over 2,200 undergraduate students enrolled, with a majority being white.
Gettysburg, known for a Civil War battle in 1863 and President Abraham Lincoln’s speech, is about 140 miles west of Philadelphia. The incident has sparked discussions about racism and inclusivity on campus, with ongoing investigations and efforts to address the issue.
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