Pitzer College president condemns hate speech from outsiders after anti-white message painted on campus

The president of Pitzer College is condemning hate speech directed at the campus community by outsiders after a dust-up over hoop earrings and cultural appropriation.

A wall on the side of a dormitory at the Claremont college that is devoted to unmoderated free speech through art was recently painted by a group of Latino students from Pitzer who wrote: “White Girl, Take OFF Your Hoops.�

Student Alegria Martinez said that she and other women of color created the art because they’re tired of white women appropriating their style.

College President Melvin L. Oliver wrote in a letter to the campus community that local news coverage had brought a “cycle of violent hate speech� directed at students, who have been harassed and threatened by people off campus.

Hate directed at the campus community threatens, Oliver said, the well-being and safety of students and others.

UPDATES:

5:10 p.m.: This article was updated to clarify that Pitzer College’s president was condemning hate speech by those outside the campus community.

This article was originally published at 3:30 p.m.