Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is the oldest black Greek-lettered sorority and is geared to enhancing the college experience for college-aged women and being of service “to all mankind”. The sorority has done great things to serve the community throughout the United States and around the world. As a new member of this sorority on my college’s campus, I am appalled by what happened at American University this past week.
On Monday, May 1, 2017, it was reported that American University officials are investigating a racist incident involving bananas found hanging from string “in the shape of nooses” on the campus of American University. According to reports, the university had just swore in its first black female Student Association president, who happens to be a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
The bananas were marked with the letters “AKA” which represent Alpha Kappa Alpha, a sorority whose members are predominantly African American women.
There were reports of bananas hanging on two other locations on campus that Monday. The new student body president, Taylor Dumpson, issued a statement: “It is disheartening and immensely frustrating that we are still dealing with this issue after recent conversations, dialogues and town halls surrounding race relations on campus,” Dumpson said. “But this is exactly why we need to do more than just have conversations, but move in a direction toward more tangible solutions to prevent incidents like these from occurring in the future.”
However, this was not the only time a racist incident has occurred at American University’s campus. According to reports, in September 2016, a banana was thrown at a black AU student who was among a group from the Black Student Alliance preparing for a demonstration. There was also a report of a banana being placed on or near another black female student’s door.
Nevertheless, there is racism to some extent on every campus, but right now for American University’s campus, it is time to take action.