In an incident at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, a swimmer was accused of carving a racial slur into his fellow teammate's chest. Per a statement released by the institution on Monday, he was suspended from the swim team and has since been removed from the college.
The male swimmer allegedly used a box cutter during a social gathering to etch the hateful slur.
While neither the name of the perpetrator nor that of the victim has been released, the incident, which took place on September 6, has drawn widespread outrage and criticism.
While Gettysburg College officials have revealed that there is a student conduct process ongoing, they kept further details under wraps, owing to the investigation and privacy laws.
Gettysburg College issues a statement regarding the incident, claims it is a "serious report"
In a statement released by the institution on September 18, 2024, officials claimed to have received “a deeply concerning report of a racial slur being scratched onto a student using a plastic or ceramic tool." The statement, published in The Gettysburgian, further reads:
“This is a serious report, which is being actively assessed through the student conduct process. At this point, the students involved are not participating in swim team activities pending the outcome of the student conduct process. Given privacy laws and the ongoing nature of the student conduct process, we are unable to share further details.”
The statement also discloses that the incident took place during an "informal social gathering at an on-campus residence." Further details leading up to the incident, or how the victim was restrained, remain unclear. Gettysburg College President Robert Iuliano disclosed that the teammates of the two reported the incident.
Per a statement from the victim's family, according to The Gettysburgian,
“Two weeks ago on the evening of Friday, Sept. 6, our son became the victim of a hate crime. The incident took place at a gathering of swim team members. It is important to note that he was the only person of color at this gathering. The reprehensible act was committed by a fellow student-athlete, someone he considered his friend, someone whom he trusted. This student used a box cutter to etch the N-word across his chest."
The statement continued, reflecting on the investigation that followed, noting that the victim was interviewed by the coaching staff.
They revealed that an investigation by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities followed soon after, and according to the family, it did not "appear to have followed the policies and procedures stated in the Gettysburg College Student-Athlete Manual."
The family noted that the "harm continues without much relief," and called for a fair and thorough investigation. The family also revealed they were looking into their legal options and were considering pressing charges.
They revealed that the process involves the NAACP civil rights organization. They have already filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Commission on Human Relations.
The statement continued:
"Our son had other choices where he could mature intellectually, socially and spiritually, and achieve his athletic goals. He chose Gettysburg College and its swim program because he felt at home on this campus. ... Our son did not choose to have a hateful racial slur scrawled across his chest, but he has chosen not to return the hate. He did not choose the color of his skin tone, but has chosen to embrace the strength and diversity it represents. Our son did not choose to be shunned and isolated at the behest of some who pay lip service to inclusion and diversity."
The family concluded by apologizing to anyone who may have been offended by their statement, noting that they intend to push "Gettysburg College to live up to its ideals of diversity, inclusion, and justice; to celebrate the College’s maxim to: ‘Do Great Work.’"
Gettysburg College President Robert Iuliano reflects on the incident, says there are lessons to be learned
Robert Iuliano reflected on the incident, noting that he felt “profound distress about what happened." He continued,
“No matter the relationship, and no matter the motivation, there is no place on this campus for words or actions that demean, degrade, or marginalize based on one’s identity and history."
However, he also defended the swim team, noting that the captains should be commended for bringing the incident to light.
"The student conduct investigation affirmed that the incident is not a byproduct of an unhealthy athletic team culture or a reflection on the team itself; rather, we see in the captains the measure of what it means to be a Gettysburgian by their notification to their coaches. ... We know there are lessons to be learned — lessons that must take into account our collective history. We know that those lessons won’t reveal themselves on their own."
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According to ABC News, Robert Glenny Jr., the city's police chief, revealed that he tried to get in touch with the college upon hearing the news, but was told the victim opted to resolve the matter internally with the help of the college.
However, WGAL-TV reported that college officials of the Gettysburg College encouraged the victim to make the matter legal.
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