A student at the University of Buffalo has come under fire for hanging "white only" and "black only" signs around campus. Students noticed the signs Wednesday night and several called the campus police to report them.
Ashley Powell, a graduate Fine Arts student, later admitted that she had hung the signs as part of a class project, reports the student publication The Spectrum. After receiving a backlash, with some even calling it an act of terrorism, Powell issued a statement saying that despite the strong emotional response, she will not apologize for her actions.
“I apologize for the extreme trauma, fear, and actual hurt and pain these signs brought about,” Powell said. “I apologize if you were hurt, but I do not apologize for what I did. Once again, this is my art practice. My work directly involves black trauma and non-white suffering. I do not believe that there can be social healing without first coming to terms with and expressing our own pain, rage, and trauma.”
Powell said that by hanging the signs, she was reflecting on her own experiences with racism. While many students were upset by her actions, she did have some supporters.
The University is currently investigating the matter.
