Content Warning: This article and corresponding image contain references to hateful language and slur use.
After a winter storm arrived in Atlanta and covered campus in snow, large letters, about five feet in height, spelling the N-word were written on Emory University’s McDonough field this afternoon. It is unknown who wrote the slur, which appears to be made up of footprints stamped into the snow.
The Emory Police Department is reviewing security camera footage of the incident, Assistant Vice President of University Communications Laura Diamond stated in an email to The Emory Wheel.
“Emory unequivocally condemns this appalling act that only serves to disrupt our campus and divide our community,” Diamond wrote. “Emory will pursue all applicable pathways to hold those that did this accountable.”
Footprints slightly covered parts of the writing by the time the Wheel could take photos, and an “X” was traced through the R. However, the writing was still legible as of 5:45 p.m.
The N-word, which was blurred out by The Emory Wheel, is written in the snow on McDonough Field.
The University’s Respect for Open Expression Policy does not explicitly prohibit the use of any specific words or phrases. Further, the policy does not include any mention of hate speech, which the United Nations defines as “offensive discourse targeting a group or an individual based on inherent characteristics (such as race, religion or gender) and that may threaten social peace.” However, the policy states that the University “affirms values of diversity, inclusion and community,” in recognizing the community’s open expression rights.
“Civility and mutual respect are important values in our community; while they do not limit the rights protected by this Policy, we ask all members of the Community to consider these values carefully when exercising their fundamental right to open expression,” the open expression policy reads.
However, Emory’s Undergraduate Code of Conduct does expressly forbid discriminating or harassing other people on the basis of “race” and “color.” Similar actions are prohibited under the University’s Equal Opportunity and Discriminatory Harassment Policy, which applies to Emory students and employees as well as people who participate in Emory-sponsored events or act as temporary members of the University community, such as vendors and guests.
This is not the first time the use of the N-word has sparked concern on Emory’s campus, with the School of Law receiving national attention for professors’ use of the slur in recent years. Between fall 2018 and fall 2021, at least four different law professors received backlash after admitting to saying or allegedly saying the N-word in an academic setting. One professor was placed on administrative leave after saying the slur twice, but was ultimately reinstated.
If you or someone you know experienced hateful language or slur use, you can call the Emory Police Department at (404) 727-6111 or reach Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services at (404) 727-7450 or https://counseling.emory.edu/. You can reach the Atlanta Police Department at (404) 614-6544.
