Campus

‘No Colored People’: Campus Posters Outrage Body-Painted Hindus

Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. has a reputation for being accepting of all varieties of different people regardless of skin color or sexual orientation – so much so, in fact, that the school proudly flaunts the nickname “Diversity University” to attract students.

However, that image suffered something of a crack recently. Specifically, Wesleyan recently played host to a celebration of Holi, the Indian Festival of Colors, in which celebrants often paint themselves using various types of colored powder.

Universal Society of Hinduism Demands Apology from Wesleyan University Over Racist Flyer

Naturally enough, the school‘s maintenance staff didn’t feel like cleaning up the fallout from this particular type of celebration. This meant keeping students out of public spaces like the Usdan University Campus Center.

Universal Society of Hinduism Demands Apology from Wesleyan University Over Racist Flyer

Simple enough, right? Apparently so, which is why the maintenance staff asked a student simply identified as “Katherine Y” to create posters to place at every entrance of the center warning people who’d covered themselves in colors to keep out. The resulting flyer wasn’t quite what you might expect:

Universal Society of Hinduism Demands Apology from Wesleyan University Over Racist Flyer“No colored people” being a phrase with some problematic racist history behind it, naturally a ton of students were offended by the flyer, despite the fact that the offending phrase was obviously written in jest and didn’t signify any actual racist intent on the part of the student responsible. In fact, we can say conclusively that racist intent didn’t exist after the student responsible apologized in a statement obtained by the campus blog, Wesleying:

Hey everyone–

This was my fault and I want to take 100% responsibility for it. Shakti was asked by Usdan to put up posters telling people who had participated in Holi not to enter Usdan in order to not make a mess of colored powder everywhere, and the above poster occurred to me as a joke.  I’m not sure why the obvious offensiveness of it didn’t hit me in the face immediately and I am deeply, deeply regretful that I ever printed these. I am very sorry to anyone I have offended and welcome anyone who wants to talk to me about in person to give me a call at [removed] or e-mail me at [removed]. I really hope that this very poor-taste decision doesn’t get in the way of all the work everyone in Shakti has been doing for the past semester to get Holi to happen and encourage people to take issue with me personally rather than the group. I once again apologize for making such an awful decision and emphasize that I’m totally open to hearing your rants, opinions, and concerns. I know I deserve them.

Very very regretfully,
Katherine Y.

Unfortunately for Katherine Y, it wasn’t only Wesleyan students who were offended by the rather less-than-graceful poster. Now a national organization calling itself the Universal Society of Hinduism is demanding an apology from the university itself, claiming that since the flyer was a response to their festival, and given that most of their adherents are “colored,” they deserve recompense:

“It was very insensitive to the students and others who celebrated this popular Hindu festival of colors and it was belittling the entire community,” said Rajan Zed, the president of Universal Society of Hinduism.

This Hindu leader from across the country heard about this and demanded an apology from the university.

“We are also colored you know, most of us are, and so it is very offensive, you are banning a whole class from entering the main center on campus,” Zed added.

You can watch the NBC Connecticut News Report on interesting local controversy below:

Now, setting aside the issue of whether the intentionally ironic flyer in question is meaningfully more racist than, say, the apparently completely non-ironic “eviction flyers” handed out to Jewish students at Florida Atlantic University, one has to wonder what sort of other issues the Universal Society of Hinduism thinks is worth its time, if the collegiate equivalent of a bad joke merits being on their radar. As it turns out, we can find at least one answer – Burger King Ads:

Universal Society of Hinduism Demands Apology from Wesleyan University Over Racist Flyer

From a blog entry linked through the group’s website about the ad above:

Hindus have asked Burger King Corporation to publicly apologize and immediately withdraw a poster seen in Spain, which shows Hindu goddess Lakshmi promoting a meat sandwich, which they termed repugnant.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was highly disturbing to see goddess Lakshmi, who is highly revered in Hinduism, modeling for a meat sandwich as shown. Lakshmi was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not for pushing meat sandwiches in the streets for mercantile greed of a global corporation.

The poster is titled “LA MERIENDA ES SAGRADA”, which roughly translates as “Snack is sacred” and shows a meat-cheese sandwich with few other products for 1.75 Euros. What was so ‘sacred’ about a meat sandwich, Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, asked.

Rajan Zed pointed out that Hinduism promoted strict vegetarianism insisting on ahimsa (not harming living creatures) and non-killing, and renouncing animal slaughter and meat eating. It suggested taking of sattvik (vegetables, fruits, etc.) and avoiding rajasik (eggs, etc.) and tamasik (meat, intoxicants, etc.) foods.

Worth the attention of a national organization?

Comments (39)

1 2
  • rlimike
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:28am

    Someone is just a little bit too sensitive.

    Report Post » rlimike  
  • ThePostman
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 6:07am

    The problem that all of these people have is not the color of their skin but the thickness of it, more specifically, their skin is way too damn thin.

    The rest of us are enjoying life, smiling, happy, joyful. These other people are angry and bitter and want to bring the rest of us down with them. I think the writer of that poster made a mistake by apologizing, and we can see what the results of her apology are – more people crawling out of the woodwork to chortle their demands that we all be unhappy. Even in the midst of a joyous hindu festival, which I find quite pleasing to my eyes and ears.

    These powder puff girls should not be allowed in any school building. There is nothing to apologize over – the dyes in that powder are permanent. It would be destruction of property to enter someone else’s building with that mess on you. Someone should have brought a garden hose. Having fun is fine, but being responsible is another great character trait. No one even thought to bring a garden hose and some soap? They all just assumed they could traipse through the school buildings and shower off in the lavatories before getting in their cars to go home? LOL! I see!

    Maybe these particular “people of color” don‘t really belong on a college campus if they can’t even plan out their little festival past step 1. I mean, hey, we gather in the commons, throw bags of dye-colored powder on each other…. and then what? Duh. Think it through people.

    Report Post »  
  • Chet Hempstead
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 4:05am

    If the black students had complained about the “No Colored People” signs, I’d be with them, but I don’t see why the Hindus should be so offended. However, I agree about the Lakshmi poster. You shouldn’t use anybody’s God to sell any product, let alone one that’s against their religion.

    Report Post »  
  • EssBee
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 3:08am

    Those ill-informed people that think “we” should view idiotic ‘jokes’ like this as harmless, or even a humorous post-modern deconstruction of “our” racist past are unaware of the current state of Hindu studies in Western academia. They are apparently ignorant of the fact that major U.S. religious studies figures have made careers out of denigrating Hindu culture using devious tactics such as mistranslating Indian texts, and utilizing wildly inappropriate sexually-overtoned Freudian theories to ‘study’ (or rather belittle) Hinduism.
    I‘m sure the idiot Katherine who put up this poster will now be encouraged to ’dialogue‘ and ’outreach’ and other such nonsense. Katherine should instead read the book ‘Invading the Sacred’, in which the denigration of Hindu culture by U.S. academics is described and critically analyzed/debunked in detail, and disseminate the information provided in that book to the Wesleyen student body. If Katherine is ashamed, she should encourage the shaming of pseudo-scholars who do far more harm than she has; “we” would learn something from such efforts.

    Report Post »  
  • SickandTiredAmerican
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:39am

    Sick and Tired of being sick and tired. Get over yourself, Rajan. Jeez! By the way, since you can’t travel throughout the universe I think you have overstepped your bounds by calling your group the “Universal Society of Hinduism”. Making up for something?

    Go have a BK Whopper and stop the nonsense!

    Report Post » SickandTiredAmerican  
  • pwatkins
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 1:23am

    The left are looking for anything they can call racist these days. Check this one out.
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47270763/ns/local_news-raleigh_nc/

    Report Post »  
  • 1moreOutnumbered
    Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:38am

    I love how seriously everyone takes themselves these days. No one is allowed to have a sense of humor anymore because someone with thin skin will cry about it.

    Report Post » 1moreOutnumbered  
  • firstgenesis
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:32pm

    Let us assume for a minute there is a Hindu (or any religion) Holiday where the tradition is to put White powder-paint all over your body. And some student, on a satirical or malicious note, put up a sign that read, “No Whites allowed (but seriously if you have white powder on please do not come in)“ would ”white-Americans” be outraged?

    While I can not speak for all on this forum, I for one would get a great laugh out of it…and not go in the building in question. Is that so much to ask? What do you think?

    P.S. I am not a “white-American”…I am just an American!

    Report Post »  
    • VoteBushIn12
      Posted on May 3, 2012 at 12:42am

      It is a little different though, because “No Whites Allowed” signs were never a part of the social history of the United States whereas “No Colored allowed” signs were. Hence, the signs discriminating on color is a throwback to the racially charged feelings of old.

      In any case, I can think of a few whites that would be offended. I can see the humor in it both ways, but I‘m not so blind as I can’t also so the offensiveness.

      An honest mistake, but a mistake nonetheless.

      Report Post » VoteBushIn12  
  • Rayblue
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:17pm

    This wouldn’t work down here. The sweat would make every color run together to make a black goo that when cooled would become like a chocolate shell on an ice cream cone.

    Report Post » Rayblue  
  • Wishmich
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:44pm

    Let’s replace our lawns with egg shells.

    Report Post »  
  • theSongCZAR
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:40pm

    Go home.

    Report Post »  
  • Midwest Blonde
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:12pm

    Several of my family members attended Holi this year – the youngest (age 3 1/2) was delighted at having permission to “get dirty” with colored powder. They got powdered enough to dirty up the inside of their jeep, but thoroughly enjoyed it.

    As for wanting to keep the “colored people” out of the university buildings, I agree – it’s an unnecessary mess – and unless the celebrants offered a clean up crew – asking them to remain outside is reasonable.

    Those who took offense are just being a little too sensitive.

    Report Post » Midwest Blonde  
  • Therightsofbilly
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:42pm

    The first picture looks a bit like a young Robert Plant

    Report Post » Therightsofbilly  
  • PeachyinGA
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:11pm

    So sick of people getting incensed over the least little thing. Two-thirds of the words on the poster explained the joke and the reasonable request, but apparently those who are ready to be offended only read what they want to read.

    Report Post » PeachyinGA  
    • muddpuddle
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:06pm

      Stupidity is a equal opportunity employer. Everyone has a right to be stupid, some people are using for than their fair share.

      Report Post »  
  • louzyana
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:00pm

    Easy fix. No festival next year.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 7:58pm

    How is that Diversity Model work in Europe?

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Patriot Z
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 7:57pm

    wwwaahhhhhh thoes meanies words hurt my booboos wwaaahhhh. im so thinskinned, self entitled and ignorant of my culture that any joke about me (but not anyone else) completly destroys my fragile liberal self esteem…i need a trophy now just to exist…waaaahhhh…hey boombai buttheads quit crying and go watch stupid bollywood flicks or beat up an “untouchable” in the caste system you aspire to. get me a slushi while you are at it…blueberry!…thank you come again

    Report Post » Patriot Z  
  • jespasinthru
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 7:51pm

    The Goddess Lakshmi holding a meat sandwich! Now that’s hilarious. Didn’t somebody, anybody at the Burger King Corporation have sense enough to know that Hindus don’t eat cows? That’s taking ignorance and stupidity to a whole new level. That’s like painting a picture of Jesus swigging from a bottle of Jack Daniels, of Mohammed chowing down on a roast suckling pig.

    Report Post » jespasinthru  
  • ilovetheusa1
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 7:26pm

    thin skinned whiners. call the ACLU and sue the school for billions, maybe trillions. those Racist liberals.

    Report Post »  
  • Donttredonme
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 7:24pm

    Damn I hear the same losers that cry on threads where people make fun of Christians, always telling other people to “get over it”…its pretty funny

    Report Post » Donttredonme  
  • DeVain
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 6:59pm

    Sanctimonious snobs need to lighten up and laugh a bit.

    Report Post » DeVain  
  • mharry860
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 6:57pm

    I personally find that hilarious.

    Report Post » mharry860  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 7:24pm

      Yes .. the “tolerant” seem to get upset at the least little thing. ;-)

      Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 6:56pm

    Bad Karma for that person.

    I have seen movies showing the festival, very joyful, but really messy.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • blaaaaackwoman
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 6:48pm

    Wow, that looks fun. Do an image search for Indian Festival of Colors to see all the colorful images.

    Report Post »  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 6:48pm

    please write political correct 100 times, then ball up that piece of paper, and shove it where the sun dont shine

    i dont care what anyone says, that poster was funny , get over yourselves already

    Report Post » Psychosis  
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