Tensions rose on the University of Mississippi campus shortly after Barack Obama was declared the winner of Tuesday’s election.
University Police Department Chief Calvin Sellers said there were reports of disruptions on many dorm floors with white students yelling at black students celebrating Obama’s victory; however, no arrests were made. Sellers compared the incidents to celebrations for Monday night football.
In one episode, one black sophomore, Aaron Thomas, said 10 minutes after Obama was pronounced the winner he started screaming outside the Kincannon Residence Hall, “Obama won, Obama won.”
Thomas’ celebration didn’t last long after three students started calling him the n-word, and saying we have a (expletive deleted) N-word for a president, Thomas said.
Thomas went on to say he tried to fight the three individuals who yelled at him, but seven UPD officers showed up and broke up the fight.
Sellers confirmed racial slurs were overheard from the fourth floor of the dorm, and Thomas went up to the location, where he started kicking in doors. A confrontation occurred, and police showed up. Thomas was handcuffed as police sorted out what happened. He later was released at the scene.
Sellers said an investigation is under way to determine which student made the racial slurs. The results will go to the Office of the Dean of Students and the University Judicial Council for action.
“I don’t know what laws were broken,” Sellers said.
Thomas said while police were with him, they received a call to another dorm.
A student who would not identify himself said a group of white students were causing a scene outside Deaton Hall, yelling the N-word and saying country is “going to hell.”
Sellers said a group of students were outside the dorm celebrating Obama’s victory and that a few students may have yelled at the celebrators.
“It wasn’t organized disruptive behavior,” Sellers said.
In another near-fight at Hefley Hall, desk receptionist Julius Booth said there was a disturbance, but he didn’t know exactly what happened.
Thomas said 15 white girls surrounded one black female and taunted her.
Thomas said the 15 females said, “What are you going to do? It’s 15 against one.”
According to Booth, the N-word was used by the crowd of 15 white girls. No fight occurred and UPD did not arrive at this incident.
“It’s Ole Miss; what do you expect?” Thomas said. “It’s only going to be worse tomorrow.”
Sellers said similar incidents occurred at other schools and that several watching parties around campus went off great.
