Harley Barber, a student at the University of Alabama and a member of Alpha Phi Sorority, was recently found making racial comments, along with using the n-word and other profanities on social media. The videos were shared on the holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Everything started with Barber at the sink of a public restroom, where she recorded herself saying: “We do not waste water because of the poor people in Syria.” She then goes on to say, “I love how I act like I love black people because I (expletive) hate (n-word), so that’s really interesting but I just saved the (expletive) (n-word) by shutting that water off.”
In the second video, Barber clearly expresses her racism by repeatedly saying the n-word.
“I don’t care if it’s Martin Luther King Day. I’m in the South now (expletive) so everybody can (expletive) off. I’m from New Jersey so I can say (n-word) as much as I want.”
How is being in the South or anywhere on the planet give any one the right to offend and use hateful words toward a race? Apparently, in her mind it’s ok to use the n-word in the South, but what makes her think that way?
The South of the United States has been involved in civil right movements and protests which trace back to the Jim Crow Laws that promoted the “separate but equal” idea. The idea only brought more inequality in the South, where the mixing of races was illegal in most places, such as public schools, public transportation and eating establishments.
So, my concern is why she thinks being in the South gives her the right to use the n-word. I just can’t figure out that answer… Maybe she doesn’t know history?
Overall, it’s a shame that in the second video – instead of apologizing for her hateful behavior and words – she decided to even go further and disrespect the black community and Martin Luther King Day. I’m speechless as to how someone who’s in college could sound so pathetic and ignorant.
Fortunately, Barber was expelled from her university and sorority. But my question is, when will discrimination and stereotypes end? How can this young lady express so much hate toward a race? I believe discrimination and racism is a learned behavior, and those who express it do so because they were taught from a young age to feel superior because of their “whiteness.”
Racism brings discrimination and discrimination brings inequality.
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