Content warning: This article contains mentions of racial discrimination against Black people and racial slurs that can be disturbing and/or triggering for some readers. Please find resources listed at the bottom of the article.
Penn has launched an investigation into a video of two Penn students expressing racist remarks and racial slurs that has circulated on campus.
The video — which has received broad condemnation from student groups — was first posted to a private social media account. The video, reviewed by The Daily Pennsylvanian, contains derogatory remarks towards Black people, including repeated use of the N-word.
“There is no room for hate within the Penn community,” a University spokesperson wrote in a statement to the DP. “As such, we are actively investigating a deeply offensive video posted by a student on a private social media account and following up with students and student leaders.”
The spokesperson added, that Penn is “strongly committed to preventing discrimination and harassment,” encouraging students to report “any incident.”
One student featured in the video — who was granted anonymity for fear of personal safety — denied that he said the N-word.
“Overall, I’m really frustrated because I’m getting threats and a slandered reputation due to these false accusations because I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” the student said. “Again, I did not make any racist remarks.”
In a statement posted to its Instagram account on Monday, the Undergraduate Assembly — which one of the students previously ran to be a member of — condemned the individual’s actions.
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“The Undergraduate Assembly unequivocally condemns all forms of hate speech and discrimination,” the group wrote in its statement. “These remarks are antithetical to our values of respect, inclusion, and equity. We do not tolerate or condone such behavior in any capacity.”
While the individual previously ran for a UA seat, the group clarified that “he is not currently an elected nor associate member.”
One of the students in the video was also a former DP staffer who has since been dismissed from the company.
CAMPUS RESOURCES
The Division of Public Safety’s HELP Line: 215-898-HELP (active 24/7)
Student Health and Counseling (if you have a personal or academic concern and want to talk to someone at Penn): 215-898-7021 (active 24/7)
African-American Resource Center (resource for students, staff, or faculty)
Penn Women’s Center (resource for students, staff, or faculty)
