Why Another Liberal Media Figure Scampered Away
Democrats Are Just the Worst People
Chris Murphy Is the Headline Lothario, and Elon Musk Is to Blame for...
The Headlines Have Caught Up to Mike Rowe. Now What?
Reparations Are a Bad Idea
Rand Paul Proves You Can Protect Liberty and Security at the Same Time
Don't Be an Ah'Bal
Trump Is Reclaiming the Founders’ American Dream
Workplace Raids Suffocate Illegal Immigration Incentives
Feds Should Not Nationalize Payment Processing
Tariff War Will Be Disastrous for Ordinary Americans and Canadians
Trump Revives CBP One App, Offering Illegal Immigrants Path to Self-Deportation
Longtime WaPo Editor Ruth Marcus Resigns After Column Criticizing Jeff Bezos Gets Pulled
Abbey Gate Bombing Suspect Will Remain In Custody
Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer Confirmed Head of Labor, Completing Trump's Cabinet
OPINION

Discarded Banana Peel Causes Racial Hysteria at Ole Miss

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

There is a raging controversy within the University of Mississippi’s Greek Life community regarding race relations and bananas.

A Greek Life leader accidentally sparked mass hysteria after he placed a banana peel on a tree in the woods -- because he could not find a trash can.

Advertisement

The Daily Mississippian reports that three black students found the banana peel -- and were apparently triggered by what they saw.

"To be clear, many members of our community were hurt, frightened, and upset," the interim director of fraternity and sorority life wrote in a letter obtained by the newspaper.

The president of one sorority told the newspaper that "bananas have historically been used to demean black people."

I always thought bananas were historically used to make banana pudding.

It's unclear how many were triggered by the banana peel - but the fear and trepidation was so great that a meeting was convened at the campground. The Daily Mississippian described what happened:

"The massive discussion session wrapped up as more and more students stood and left the room - some in tears, some in frustration. NPHC members began texting friends to come and pick them up from the camp since no one had been allowed to drive his or her car up to the retreat. The remainder of the retreat was canceled later that night," the newspaper reported.

It sounds as if terrified Ole Miss students were stampeding through the woods weeping and wailing as they sought psychological refuge from the banana peel.

 An Ole Miss spokesman confirmed there was some sort of incident.

“We are aware of the situation and are working to address it through appropriate channels,” the spokesman told me. “Since we became aware of what occurred at the fraternity and sorority community’s retreat, UM staff acted quickly in an effort to engage in discussion with students.”

Advertisement

Does that mean Ole Miss will ban racially-offensive fruit and vegetables from campus dining halls? Has there been a call to banish banana nut bread or ice cream sundaes or heaven forbid - banana pudding?

The young man who discarded the banana peel - profusely apologized and said he meant no harm – but I doubt it’s going to make much difference.

"I want to sincerely apologize for the events that took place this past weekend," the student wrote in a letter to the newspaper. "Although unintentional, there is no excuse for the pain that was caused to members of our community."

In retrospect - the young man would have been better off just tossing the peel on the ground. It's better to be a litterbug than to be falsely accused of being a racist.

I imagine the only thing that could have possibly been more offensive -- would have been eating the banana while watching Gone with the Wind.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos