Update, Oct. 20, 2017, 11:30 am: Boston College responded to the incident in two comments on Facebook, posting in one that “It appears an outside group, well known for such tactics, posted offensive materials to provoke controversy. We stand united in opposition to their actions and denounce all forms of hatred.” In the other, BC wrote that police are investigating and will “provide updates as soon as possible.”
Two identical signs, each with a large image of Uncle Sam and text reading “I want you to love who you are / don’t apologize for being white” were hanging on the campus map stand between Stokes Hall and Carney Hall as early as 9:30 a.m. this morning, two and a half hours before the “Silence Is Still Violence” march was due to begin at that location.
In the top right-hand corner the signs included a logo for American Renaissance, a monthly online magazine committed to promoting white supremacy according to other publications including The Washington Post. The signs were not given the stamp of approval by Boston College’s Office of Student Involvement, and one of the signs has since been removed.
The appearance of this poster comes on the tail of the wide circulation of a racist Snapchat and the vandalization of Black Lives Matter signs over the weekend. The student body has responded to these hate crimes throughout the week, organizing events such as a walk out from class on Wednesday.
Featured Image by Alec Greaney / Heights Editor