https://www.wsav.com/news/local-news/georgia-southern-responds-to-students-apparent-racist-text/1313285645STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) - The president of Georgia Southern University released a statement Friday addressing a student’s use of a racial slur in a text.
A screenshot circulating on social media allegedly shows a conversation between two new roommates. The girls exchange niceties, each saying they accidentally called one another.
But the accidents don’t stop there.
One of the roommates sends another text saying “Her insta looks pretty normal not too ------ish.” She then sends another text to apologize, saying she meant to say “triggerish,” meaning “nothing triggered a red flag.”
The screenshots were posted on Facebook and Twitter, including one person who says she knows the victim who received the texts.
"Triggerish is not a word at all either. The closest word to that is triggerfish. So for her to cover those things up, it just didn't add up," Senior Dajah Morrison said.
Interim President Shelley Nickel released the following letter to the GSU community Friday morning:
The University shares the hurt our community has expressed following the use of a racial slur exhibited in a screenshot shared on social media. The use of such racist comments is offensive and unacceptable and in no way reflects the attitudes or values of Georgia Southern University. To be clear, there is no place for bigotry or racism on our campuses.
Georgia Southern is built upon the values of integrity, civility and kindness and these principles should be reflected in everything we do. We stand for awareness, acceptance and tolerance and expect nothing less from our students, faculty, staff and community.
As students return to our campuses for the new academic year, we are committed to reinforcing our values and encouraging an inclusive atmosphere that enables our students to thrive.Many students are still questioning the university - as well as the housing facility involved - about what, if any, actions are being taken.
President Nickel did not address that specifically in her statement.
Aspen Heights Statesboro said on Twitter that they “addressed it with the resident in question.” While they said they take the issue seriously, they added they could not discuss resident issues publicly.
"Hopefully they'll be professional about it," Morrision said of GS administration. "And handle everything correctly but I'm just hoping they shut that down and show the other students that we don't play with that. We're here to learn."
