Jillian Kirkland (Facebook photo)
Jillian Kirk (Facebook photo)
Bad optics continue for Michigan State University.
Some students express dismay that it isn't taking action against MSU sophomore Jillian Kirk, who posts racist taunts and remarks on social media, the New York Post reports.
One recent tweet by Kirk reportedly said: “GOD BLESS AMERICA, F–K THE BLACKS!” In other tweets, she used the N-word and once wrote: “F–k n—rs I’m so over it."
Her Twitter account has since been deleted.
A freshman, Juyliana Fowlkes, tweets Saturday afternoon: "When we chose not to discipline blatant racism it allows the public to see we don't care. Especially with this president, racism is getting more bold."
MSU representative Emily Guerrant posts a five-sentence statement saying the university does not "condone racial harassment or bullying" and adds:
As a public institution, we do not get to control what every member of our community says. What was said is clearly not aligned with our Spartan values.
We are addressing this situation through multiple channels, and we are using it as an opportunity to keep a conversation about race and inclusion ongoing.
Kirk backs off Friday in an email to The Tab, which describes itself as "a site covering college and youth culture:"
"I apologize for the inappropriate social media posts I made. Nothing was meant to cause pain to anyone, but I realize what was in those posts is hurtful and disrespectful. What was said in these posts is not how I feel, but I know I need to learn how to be more inclusive and respectful to diversity of people and diversity of thought.
"It is my goal to work on my behaviors. The recent events have shown me how insensitive I was. Again, I want to apologize for my actions and to those I have hurt."
