Michigan college gift shop removes doll display depicting black leaders hanging from tree – By Mark Johnson (Lansing State Journal) / Feb 3 2020
EAST LANSING, Mich. — A gift shop in a performing arts center on Michigan State University’s campus removed a display of dolls depicting black historical figures hanging from a rack after numerous people complained on social media.
MSU officials became aware of the “inappropriate and insensitive” display in the gift shop of The Wharton Center for Performing Arts last week and immediately removed it, according to a statement from MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant.
It used a rack resembling a tree to hang felt ornaments resembling Michelle Obama, Barack Obama and Prince.
“Regardless of the intent of the display, its impact cannot be ignored — people were hurt and offended,” Guerrant wrote. “We sincerely apologize to our community members and have immediately removed the display. Additionally, after the Wharton Center reported the incident, it agreed to provide employees and volunteers with racial bias training that focuses on the impact and understanding of intentional and unintentional racial bias.
“We have work to do, and MSU remains committed to creating a culture that is inclusive and safe for all faculty, staff, students and visitors. As we enter Black History Month, it’s important we not only recognize the many contributions of African Americans, but we remember history and confront all bias.”
Krystal Rose Davis-Dunn, a 31-year-old black graduate student at MSU, took in a jazz concert with a friend who wanted to check out the gift shop after the show. The dolls hanging from the tree was one of the first images she noticed when they walked in.
They kept walking around and she spotted four or five similar trees and a larger Christmas tree with “a lot more” black leaders. There were a few white leaders, such as Abraham Lincoln and Beethoven, but the trees were mostly covered with ornaments black historical figures, Davis-Dunn said.
Continue to article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/02/03/michigan-state-university-gift-shop-black-leaders-hanging-tree/4651752002/
