Pitzer College president condemns hate speech from outsiders after anti-white message painted on campus - Los Angeles Times
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Pitzer College president condemns hate speech from outsiders after anti-white message painted on campus

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The president of Pitzer College is condemning hate speech directed at the campus community by outsiders after a dust-up over hoop earrings and cultural appropriation.

A wall on the side of a dormitory at the Claremont college that is devoted to unmoderated free speech through art was recently painted by a group of Latino students from Pitzer who wrote: “White Girl, Take OFF Your Hoops.”

Student Alegria Martinez said that she and other women of color created the art because they’re tired of white women appropriating their style.

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College President Melvin L. Oliver wrote in a letter to the campus community that local news coverage had brought a “cycle of violent hate speech” directed at students, who have been harassed and threatened by people off campus.

Hate directed at the campus community threatens, Oliver said, the well-being and safety of students and others.


UPDATES:

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5:10 p.m.: This article was updated to clarify that Pitzer College’s president was condemning hate speech by those outside the campus community.

This article was originally published at 3:30 p.m.

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