A Gettysburg College swimmer is no longer enrolled after allegedly carving a racial slur on a teammate’s chest during an informal social gathering on campus, according to college officials.
The student, whose name has not been released by the college or authorities, allegedly used a box cutter to scratch the n-word onto another swimmer, according to a statement from the victim’s family published in the school newspaper. The family explained their decision to come forward was to “provide clarity, not incite controversy, as we struggle to comprehend the nightmare that continues to haunt our son and our family.”
“For the sake of our son’s well-being, we are trying to handle these recent challenges with the same humility and courage he has shown,” the family said. “Our son did not choose to have a hateful racial slur marked on his chest, but he has chosen not to respond with hate. He did not choose his skin color, but he embraces the strength and diversity it represents. Our son did not choose to be ostracized by some who only pay lip service to inclusion, but he has chosen to rise above.”
Both students involved were initially removed from swim team activities as the college investigated the incident, according to Jamie Yates, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at Gettysburg College.
“The student responsible for the scratching is no longer enrolled,” Yates told media in a statement. “The college is actively working with the victim and his family to determine the most constructive way to move forward.”
Gettysburg Police Chief Robert Glenny Jr. told media that the police had not received a formal complaint about the incident.
Glenny explained that while campus safety had been notified, the victim, though encouraged by the college to contact law enforcement, had chosen to let the college disciplinary process handle the situation.
The school newspaper, The Gettysburgian, published a statement from the family of the victim, revealing that the incident took place two weeks ago at a men’s swim team gathering where the victim was the only person of color present. According to the family, the slur was inflicted by someone the victim “trusted” and considered a friend.
In an effort to protect the victim’s identity, the newspaper published the family’s statement anonymously.
“On the evening of Friday, September 6, our son became the victim of a hate crime,” the family wrote in their statement.
Gettysburg College and the victim’s family issued a joint statement, with the college affirming its earlier commitment to the family. Once the investigation was nearing completion, the college would work with the family to determine the best course of action.
“Those discussions have already begun and will continue. Both parties understand that this process will take time, but are committed to working together,” the college said.
The NAACP Greater Harrisburg Chapter confirmed to media that they were aware of the incident, and the NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference had also been informed. While the NAACP Greater Harrisburg Chapter refrained from commenting on the ongoing investigation, President Franklin E. Allen expressed that “no one should fear being at college, especially at the beginning of the school year.”
In their joint statement, the victim’s family emphasized they were aware of their right to pursue criminal charges at local, state, and federal levels.
“The college and our family recognize the seriousness of this incident and hope it can become a moment of transformation for our community and beyond,” the statement concluded.
