Wright State, Dining Service Taking Heat for 'Offensive' Black History Month-Themed Menu (LOOK)
ByWright State University (WSU) chose a Black History Month tribute that did not quite sit well with students or the general public.
According to the Dayton Daily News, WSU and Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services apologized last week for a menu posted in the campus' student union. On the menu, with included a headline reading: "Black History Month," were food deals for fried chicken, mashed potatoes, collard greens and cornbread.
Also on the sign were pictures of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was prominently featured, and other important African-American figures.
"I apologize to anyone hurt by the display," WSU president David Hopkins wrote to the campus community in an email obtained by the Daily News. "To our credit, the menu was quickly removed. But the larger question remains: Why was it done? I will find out. We will take steps to prevent this kind of behavior occurring in the future."
Chartwells also issued an apology, but reportedly declined to answer questions that may have pertained to how the sign came to pass.
"Chartwells celebrates many national events on campus and tries to provide authentic and traditional cuisine to reflect each theme," the statement read. "In no way was the promotion associated with Black History Month meant to be insensitive. We could have done a better job putting this in context of a cultural dining experience. We sincerely apologize."
An alum of the class of 2014 and WSU's current head of communications, Seth Bauguess snapped a photo of the screen before officials turned it off. The photo circulated and eventually became headline news.
Dr. Kimberly Barrett, vice president of multicultural affairs and community engagement, told WPXI it was a matter of "inclusion" gone awry.
"I think many times, in attempts to be inclusive and to honor diversity, people who might be in the majority community or in communities other than the ethnic groups they're trying to honor, sometimes get it wrong," she said. "Inclusion is an ongoing process where we have to continually re-evaluate and move forward. I was thrilled when they decided to remove the sign."