Frustrated OSU students protest blackface incidents

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State University students demonstrated on campus Monday and met with President Burns Hargis after a white student posted a photo of herself in blackface — the second such incident in a week.

“These students are understandably frustrated and concerned, and so am I. On behalf of the OSU family, I apologize for the hurt these incidents have caused,” Hargis said.

Members of the African-American Student Association held the peaceful demonstration outside Hargis’ office and carried signs with slogans like “Being black is not a costume” and “Blackface is never funny.”

“Honestly, for you to get change, you have to take action. You can’t sit and be silent,” said Tiffany Thurmond, head of the association.

Thurmond, a senior from Edmond, said the group plans to continue meeting with administrators to help address the problem.

“We want to help fix the problem so future students don’t have to deal with it,” she said.

A student wearing blackface posted a picture Sunday on Snapchat with the caption “When he says he only likes black girls.”

In an apology posted on Facebook, the student called the post “a careless act without any consideration of others ... With all of my heart, I am sorry. There was no part of me that aimed to hurt or offend anyone.”

She also wrote, “I was hoping I was going to be a part of a movement against racism. Ironically, I guess I am.”

The student said she was not aware that a photo featuring two other OSU female students in blackface was posted Jan. 16 on Instagram with the caption “Celebrating first MLK Day off of school !!!! ”

Those students issued a statement of apology and regret for the “thoughtless and harmful” action that “reflects poorly on the reputation” of the university.

“We are working with the students involved in these incidents to help them understand the consequences of their inappropriate actions,” Hargis said.

OSU spokesman Gary Shutt said about 50 students took part in Monday’s protest.

Hargis praised the protesters for their example of how the campus can move forward in addressing the matters of inclusion, diversity and equality.

“I want to be clear that intolerance or discrimination of any person or group is not acceptable on this campus or in our society. Instead, we welcome and value all students,” he said.

OSU officials are committed to working with students to develop more effective training in diversity, he said.

Reavis Hammond, a senior political science major from Duncan, said he would like to see more sensitivity training and more conversation on the issue.

Hammond said there should be consequences for the students’ actions.

“People are not learning,” Hammond said. “OSU needs to do more and the students need to do more, too.”