Black students at Northern Illinois University fear safety after racial threats

Black students from Northern Illinois University gathered for a press conference at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb on Monday to decry the way the university responded to racist threats found at a residence hall. (Tribune photo by Tom Van Dyke / December 10, 2007)

In what seems to be a throwback to the 1950's, black students at Northern Illinois University rallied to protest the University administration's handling of racial threats against blacks. As expected the University president tried to softball the issue but the black students spoke of ongoing racial tensions at the institution. Classes were canceled Monday and final exams rescheduled.

School officials would not say if they are any closer to knowing who wrote the text-message-style rants. One read: "Tell those [slur] to go home." Another read: "The VA tech shooters messed up w/ having only one shooter.

Click here to read the Chicago Tribune's coverage and watch the video of the press conference at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Dekalb.

Comments

[Shelia]

You know this mess is getting old with a quickness. I am well aware that racism is still alive and having babies, but it seems to be a bit too spirited again.

[invisiblewoman]

This is so very sad in this day and age.