Cory Menafee, an African American dishwasher working at Yale University, recently lost his job after breaking a panel of a stained-glass window, the New Haven Independent reports. The 38-year-old was working in a dining hall at Yale’s Calhoun College. Tired of seeing images of slavery depicted on the walls, he used a broomstick to knock one of the panels to the floor, saying it contained a “racist, very degrading” image.
Police were called after Menafee’s boss witnessed him smashing the window. Soon after, the University Police arrested Menafee in the building and he left in handcuffs. He now faces a second degree misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment and a first degree felony charge of criminal mischief. The university says he is no longer a Yale employee.
The particular window attacked by Menafee pictured two slaves carrying bales of cotton, according to the Connecticut Post. “It’s 2016, I shouldn’t have to come to work and see things like that,” he said to the Independent. “I didn’t commit any acts of violence against anyone or any living thing… I just broke the windows.”
Calhoun College has come under fire recently for its undertones of racism. It was named after former US vice president and slavery advocate John C. Calhoun, according to the The Washington Post. Last summer, a petition circulated the Ivy League school, calling for the college to be renamed. Petitioners also advocated for the removal of the images and artifacts depicting slavery throughout the building. The petition was eventually denied, with Yale President Peter Salovey confirming in April that the administration would not be making any changes. Menafee said his actions were not spurred by the students’ protests or petition—he just had the impulse to knock the window pane down while he was cleaning the building on June 13.
Head of College Julia Adams sent out an email to students last week stating that Yale would finally remove the set of stained glass windows depicting images of slavery and the life of John C. Calhoun, following “damage to one of the windows.” According to Yale Vice President for Communications Eileen O’Connor, in a statement to the Independent, breaking the window caused glass to fall onto a pedestrian in the street. Although the woman was not injured, Menafee apologized and resigned from his position. Yale will not pursue further charges or seek repayment for the window panel.
GALLERY Corey Menafee, #Yale @Yale Window Breaker, Leaves Court #NHV @nhregister https://t.co/ilFNJjWBUk pic.twitter.com/pvPR9eBT7M
— Peter Hvizdak (@NHRphvizdak) July 12, 2016
Students, faculty and outsiders alike showed their outrage with Yale admnistration. On Tuesday morning outside of the courthouse where Menafee’s first court date was held, protesters stood in solidarity with him, many holding signs that read, “Justice for Corey Menafee.” After the petition to rename Calhoun College was officially denied in May, this may have been the push Yale needed to make serious changes.
“We write in outrage following the forced resignation and arrest of Corey Menafee,” read an open letter to President Salovey, signed by over 400 people (most of whom were Yale students and alumni). “Your handling of the Calhoun issue, and the circumstances surrounding Mr. Menafee’s dismissal, belie any professed racial conscience. We invite you to take this opportunity to develop one: PUBLICLY and unequivocally advocate for Mr. Menafee’s immediate release and the dismissal of all pending charges, and immediately offer Mr. Menafee reinstatement at his position.”