Stanford University is making headlines after a noose was found on campus, again.
I wrote my whole thread last night before I woke up to the news of a noose that was found last night outside a Stanford undergraduate residence hall. We all have so much more work to do. In our national organizations and on our campuses, we deserve so much better than this.
— Anne Charity Hudley (@ACharityHudley) May 9, 2022
“On the evening of Sunday, May 8, a noose was found in a tree outside Branner Hall, an undergraduate residence,” Stanford officials wrote in a statement.
The university also noted that the ropes used to fashion the noose were likely “tied to a tree for a performance by a student organization” several years ago. However, the ropes were never removed, and “it was discovered that one of the ropes had been made into a noose.”
“A noose is a hate symbol, representing a threat to life, used to intimidate and threaten the Black community and other people of color,” the statement continued. “In the state of California, hanging a noose is considered a hate crime and punishable by jail and/or a fine.”
Stanford officials also noted that this isn’t the first time a noose has been found on campus.
Over the past four years, the Stanford Department of Public Safety (DPS) has documented two other instances of such behavior — once in July 2019, and another time in November 2021.
Over the last 3 years, there’s been multiple instances of a noose being hung from trees at @Stanford
Since many of my colleagues in venture capital went to Stanford I’d implore you all to call this out and furthermore, speak at the university about it.
— Brandon Brooks (@OfficialBBrooks) May 10, 2022
In an email to students and staff, Stanford Vice-Provosts Susie Brubaker-Cole and Patrick Dunkley noted that authorities “removed the noose and retained it as evidence.”
“We cannot state strongly enough that a noose is a reprehensible symbol of anti-Black racism and violence that will not be tolerated on our campus,” the email read. “It is the moral responsibility of those with any knowledge of this incident to come forward” so appropriate action can be taken.”
I will say it again NO UNITY with these evil people.
An investigation is underway at Stanford University after a noose was found hanging from a tree outside a residence hall this week. pic.twitter.com/4CMk61zoIn
— James Tate (@JamesTate121) May 11, 2022
In response to the recent discovery, the institution has begun offering different support programs for Stanford’s Black community, including various specialized initiatives through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Black Staff Alliance, and the Office for Religious and Spiritual Life.
University authorities are actively looking into the matter and asking the public for help in the hate crime investigation.
