University of Delaware “Nooses” Turn Out to Be Lantern Remnants
Oops:
NOT NOOSES? U of Delaware says items found hanging from tree were remnants of paper lanterns. http://t.co/PmbATc2sgl pic.twitter.com/Z9BiTAIutn
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) September 23, 2015
What began as trepidation about a possible hate crime on the University of Delaware campus has transformed into a debate about political correctness — and all because of a mistake.
“The University of Delaware says three items found hanging from a tree on campus were not nooses, but remnants of paper lanterns left over from an event,” AP reports. “Interim university President Nancy Targett initially announced Wednesday that the discovery of the items hanging in front of a campus building Tuesday night prompted a hate crime investigation. But in a statement posted online around daybreak, Targett says the investigation found that the items weren’t instruments of a hate crime, but left over from an event on The Green, a campus open space.”
Targett also made a video announcement of the findings, but invited the campus community to have a “dialogue” inspired by earlier concerns that a hate crime had been committed:
It was not a hate crime–however, I believe it's still a time for dialogue. Meet me on the Green 4:30pm http://t.co/a7bVvItdQ2 #VoicesofUDel
— Nancy Targett (@NancyMTargett) September 23, 2015
But there was angry reaction from conservatives, nationally, over the fact that a hate crime had been discerned from relatively innocuous evidence.
University of Delaware faculty/staff in liberal pseudo panic caused by lantern hangers that magically became nooses – pathetic.
— Erik Olson (@Synaptickiller) September 23, 2015
“Even a cursory glance at the alleged “nooses” shows the noose narrative to be quite a stretch. They are plainly constructed out of wire, and only one appears to even have a loop shape,” Blake Neff wrote at the Daily Caller, a conservative website. “Case closed? Not so fast. Despite conclusively determining that the entire controversy was a misunderstanding, Targett said the incident somehow still demonstrates the need for more anti-racism work on campus.”
Others called for Targett’s resignation, while some merely rebuked her:
@NancyMTargett You are a disgrace, ma'am. Call it what it is. Please resign your position and beg forgiveness. Enough.
— Miss T. (@macandroo) September 23, 2015
@NancyMTargett What dialogue will be discussed? How idiotic college administration jumps to conclusions w/o facts and then looks stupid?
— The Wyomingite (@ConservativeHic) September 23, 2015
@NancyMTargett Unless the dialogue consists of you apologizing for your hysteric liberal overreaction, save your breath.
— R Thomas (@Plate0fShrimp) September 23, 2015
.@NancyMTargett I hope it is a gathering to denounce those who see and claim "hate crimes" in the most innocent of things.
— NorseThunder (@Odinsonsmjolnir) September 23, 2015
@NancyMTargett Translation: We can't let embarrassing facts get in the way of an opportunity to fan the flames of racial hysteria.
— JackieKPGH (@JackieKPGH) September 23, 2015
There’s probably more to come. Targett is scheduled to host her gathering on The Green at 4:30 p.m. today.