Indiana University removed a controversial bulletin board asking "Can Santa Claus Be a Black Man?" from an undergraduate residence hall after what administrators described as a misguided attempt to promote campus discussions on race.
It is unclear when the poster first appeared in Foster Residence Center, but it was removed Monday night after many students said they felt it was offensive and promoted negative racial stereotypes. As The Chronicle of Higher Education reports,
The display, posted for the university's Community Education Program, features a black Santa Claus wearing sunglasses and playing a saxophone. It asks if a black Santa would visit only the ghetto, and whether or not people would let a black Santa down their chimney.
"If you didn’t know any of the context—you just saw the bulletin board—it looked like someone had created a poster that had very negative stereotypes about African Americans," an IU spokesperson told Indiana Public Media.
The university used their Twitter account to issue a public apology Monday night:
Regarding a controversial bulletin board at Foster Quad: There was a misguided effort to generate discussion about racial stereotypes. (1/3)
— Indiana University (@IUBloomington) December 3, 2013The sign is being removed. The intention was to educate, not offend, but we recognize the problem and apologize to everyone effected. (2/3)
— Indiana University (@IUBloomington) December 3, 2013This incident has generated a lot of discussion on important issues. Thank you to everyone who shared their concerns with us. (3/3)
— Indiana University (@IUBloomington) December 3, 2013And here are some more detailed images of the "Black Santa" display:
Dang this how they feel about us at IU @IUBloomingtonpic.twitter.com/ETyWOPmTUl
— Lil Jelly ❤♉ (@Jelly_NoPickles) December 3, 2013@NeezyB this was in a dorm at Indiana U. 😕 pic.twitter.com/zdWCWstlMJ
— sara ashleigh (@_QueenBun) December 3, 2013