WTF | October 29, 2008 | 67 comments

Obama effigy found at U. of Kentucky

source: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_EFFIGY?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

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Apocalipstick
A life-sized likeness of Barack Obama was found hanging from a tree with a noose around its neck Wednesday at the University of Kentucky, the second time in about a month such an effigy of the Democratic presidential nominee was reported on a college campus.

UK spokesman Carl Nathe said the effigy was found Wednesday morning in a high-traffic area between a classroom building and parking garage. Police immediately took it down but released no information about their investigation.

University President Lee Todd said he planned to apologize to the Obama family on behalf of the school and that he is "personally offended and deeply embarrassed by this disgusting episode."

Federal authorities have been notified, Todd said. He said the effigy violates the university's code of ethics and won't be tolerated.

"I am outraged because we work very hard, every day, to build bridges across the divides," Todd said. "Diversity and inclusion are among our most precious core values. Episodes like this serve only to erode our confidence in and respect for one another."

Mike Lynch, a faculty member who works in a building near where the effigy was found, said he saw it around 8:40 a.m. He described it as life-sized with a Barack Obama Halloween mask, a suit jacket and sweat pants.

"This, as far as I'm concerned, says nothing - absolutely nothing - representative of this university or this community," he said.

Obama's Kentucky campaign director, Kenya McGruder, had no immediate comment.

Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan declined to comment specifically on the situation, but said an effigy can suggest a threatening tone or be an attempt to intimidate. He said the agency is "very proactive about addressing these matters."

It's the second time an effigy has been found on a college campus recently. George Fox University in Oregon, a small Christian college, punished four students who confessed to hanging a likeness of Obama from a tree.

That effigy was found in September with a message taped to it - "Act Six reject." The message was targeted at participants of a scholarship program geared toward increasing the number of minority and low-income students and several Christian colleges, mostly in the Northwest.

In West Hollywood, Calif., authorities on Wednesday were looking into a Halloween display depicting a mannequin of GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin hanging from a noose. The display also displayed her running mate, John McCain, surrounded by fake flames.

At the University of Kentucky, Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center interim director Chester Grundy said he was outraged by the incident. A rally was being planned for 7 p.m. EDT Wednesday, where staff and student leaders are expected to speak in response, he said.

Gov. Steve Beshear called the incident "embarrassing" and "deeply offensive."

"This was not political speech. It was simply hate," he said.

Raoul Cunningham, president of the Louisville chapter of the NAACP, said he is still trying to sort out his feelings "because there may be a double-meaning because Barack Obama is black, that he would be hung from a tree - that goes back to lynching."

John Johnson, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, called the action unacceptable even if it was a prank.

"It's astonishing that somebody would do that at this day and time," he said. "You would hope that our country has progressed further than that."

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67 comments // Obama effigy found at U. of Kentucky

  • galwayman
    • 0
      galwayman  

    • Look at it this way McCain could die in office yes but assassinated? No! I think its more realistic that he dies of some illness and then Palin becomes president! This is a woman who shoots animals from a plane! this is a woman who is clearly not qualified to be president! This is a woman who has no idea what it takes to deal with anything on a national scale! While Obama is not perfect he is clearly this lesser of evils! If I had a real choice I'd rather see a socialist in office!

    • 3 years ago
  • achromatic
    • 0
      achromatic  

    • If I asked, "Is it more realistic to see Palin or Obama assassinated in office?" I feel like people would say that it is a weighted question or that I am being biased...but then you have to think about why it is weighted...denying reality doesn't change it.

    • 3 years ago
  • galwayman
    • 0
      galwayman  

    • Hmmmmm Big_Hindu I'm an Obama supporter just like you are and you called me a Racist? Are you nuts or just confused? am a white 56 year old socialist who grew up in the anti-war movement of the 60's and have fought for social justice my whole life! Oh don't think that I agree with castro or chavez either a government by and for the people is the way to go! Obama clearly represents the only choice for those who are sick and tired of the right wing scum running this country!

    • 3 years ago
  • galwayman
    • 0
      galwayman  

    • This was clearly a racist act by right wing students from hicksville who probably belong to the KKK and burn crosses as well.I've been to Kentucky and the people I met weren't like this at all !!!! clearly the right wing in this country is in a state of panic because the polls show that they are the past and that Obama will win Thank God! All the Republicans care about are the rich! they have cut every social program to the bone while while they wage an illegal war in Iraq based on lies while they have turned this country into a police state! I'm glad and proud to support Obama! it's time for a change for the better!

    • 3 years ago
  • bringthetruthtolight
  • ColdWorld
    • 0
      ColdWorld  

    • This is what's wrong with our country, very neatly worded by a McCain supporter. Try not to gag as you read the fear and ignorance in his words:
      Written by rrawtry
      If ethnic effinity isn't racism, then would you freakin loud mouths quit calling me a racist for voting ethnic effinity?

      Sure, a conservative white male certainly represents my values better than a younger black male with inner city radical leanings!!

      Why?
      I am white.
      I live in a rural subarb of a major metropolitan area.
      I am a moderate conservative.
      I believe that Iraq was a good decision.
      I have no patience for inner city poverty.
      I believe life is about choices and my government shouldn't make them for me.
      I lastly am uncomfortable with Barracks waffling and view changing.
      I am concerned with Barracks Muslim ties.
      I don't think Barrack has a clue.
      I firmly believe that McCain has earned the right to even run and Barrack has not!!------words of rrawtry

    • 3 years ago
  • nessie00
  • barbara3d
    • 0
      barbara3d  

    • stop the hate - have some tolerance for different views without feeling the need to blame and hate. "this too shall pass"...lets focus on fixing our problems together. their are still racists on BOTH sides. Black people have had a lot to overcome in this society and I can remember going places as a child where there were DRINKING FOUNTAINS for "white" and one for "black" so those youngsters out there....don't think it did not happen. As a young white girl, I cried when I saw them HOSED with pressure hoses for assembly in peaceful ways. It was on TV. Do you history homework and plant some seeds of healing and compassion. Black people, stop blaming people of today for what other generations did. most of us appreciate Black people and want them to succeed but we do not want Welfare. It never works.

    • 3 years ago
  • AbsolutelyCold
    • 0
      AbsolutelyCold  

    • This is f*cked up. I hope the people that did it are kicked out of school. All they are doing is promoting an atmosphere of hate. Nothing else to say.

    • 3 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • ninepounds6
    • 0
      ninepounds6  

    • I do not recall a 400 year history of hanging white women in this country, so I do not see how anyone except a racist would feel that they are both the same thing.

      You have to take into account history and put current events in historical context before labeling them. This was a racist act, pure an simple.

      For instance, perhaps a million people were crucified during the reign of the Roman Empire, but to make fun of a crucifixion today would directly insult and assault a billion Christians because of one, singel act of crucifixtion that happened 2,000 years ago.

      History dictates perception. To ignore it is ignorance.

    • 3 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • ninepounds6
    • 0
      ninepounds6  
    • ninepounds6:

      And we hear from the pissed off little cartoon man...

      You are right Jammer, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Tell you waht Sparky, head downtown to the blackest inner city street corner, string up your black man effigy, and light it in fire. Then come back here and spout your trash.

      Frickin coward.

    • 3 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • calilax
    • 0
      calilax  

    • Is funny that people are trying to compare this to Palin effigy I guess I miss that whole American history about how we used to hang and lynch white woman.....

    • 3 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  

    • Equality would dictate that this not make it to TV just like the Sarah Palin one didn't.

      But that's not the case...that doesn't exist.

      I knew if someone did one of Obama the "OMG it's just Halloween" wouldn't be taken seriously let alone said...because why? He's black.

      Palin is white.

      It's crap that it matters when it's the same thing...a human in a noose. There is no JOKE in that.At.All. Period. It's not worse because he's one race and she's another. It's horrible to make such a distinction even it's subtle and not said aloud.

      This is irritating because someone thinks it's right to do and because people think that this is worse than Palin's. It's disgusting on both accounts.

    • 3 years ago
  • cantucwearebrothers
  • J_Jammer
    • 0
      J_Jammer [removed]  
    • J_Jammer:

      I'm not talking about one sided websites.

      I'm talking about this website. And even though it leans a little left (whatever the hell that means) that is the side that claims to be compassionate. Well...can't tell by what jumps to the top.

    • 3 years ago
  • cantucwearebrothers
    • 0
      cantucwearebrothers  
    • J_Jammer:

      It leans a lot to the left.

      Of course Obama supporters are going to jump all over this. Just like McCain supporters jumped all over the other one. There just weren't as many McCain supporters voting that one up.

      It is what it is.

    • 3 years ago
  • Jouvon_Kingsby
  • ScratchyPants
  • ScratchyPants
    • 0
      ScratchyPants  

    • Sad to see things like this still go on but it's almost to be expected in this election year. Like someone said earlier, all 3 incidences are horrible, not just the UK occurrence.

    • 3 years ago
  • Weepowopo
  • keithponder
  • Juas
  • Big_Hindu
  • Weepowopo
    • 0
      Weepowopo  
    • Weepowopo:

      You guys really know how to rip someone who's made a simple type O. However, I am truely sorry if by mistakingly typing "collage" instead of "college" halted your understanding of the message in my entire comment.

      And also I think I may have offended some of you. Maybe one, two, or even all of you are in college or have gone to college. You may think that I have implied that I now believe that all college attendees are stupid. But if you will reread my comment you will understand that I think who ever did the Obama hanging is stupid, not all campus members.

    • 3 years ago
  • jonny2times
    • 0
      jonny2times  

    • Shut the f*ck up.

      some dude in wisconsin or something has had a palin manakin hanging infront of his house for a month, didnt hear anyone call shanannighans on that.

      its all because obamas black, you automatically think "lynch mob",

      its only racist when he has a bananna in his hand.

    • 3 years ago
  • keithponder
  • jonny2times
    • 0
      jonny2times  
    • jonny2times:

      internet coward? i didnt threaten anyone...

      if you are feeling threatened... we know who the coward is here dont we?

      if you think hanging palin and hanging obama is different at all, you sir are the racist.

      "a history of social injustice" -a past that indeed was wrong, but you need to let go of in order to move on.

    • 3 years ago
  • Big_Hindu
  • jonny2times
    • 0
      jonny2times  
    • jonny2times:

      this is the reason im a physics person.

      i dont do politics, psychology or sociology.

      mostly because im a politically incorrect, psychotic, sociopath.

      politically - hanging obama or palin, same thing. (to my politically non-correct self)

      socially (psychology fits as well) - i see it as the same, but maybe a sensitive black person sees it differently. thats what makes a society, lots of people with differing opinions.

      physically - the only difference is how long the rope is and how much they weigh and how far they fall, see if their head pops off when they run out of rope. REGARDLESS of race.

      so ill keep taking things literally, and you keep reading between the lines. in the long run, ill have a more realistic view.

    • 3 years ago
  • achromatic
  • Aintiepoppie
    • 0
      Aintiepoppie  

    • I'm not at all surprise at that action coming from the University of Kentucky they have come a long way with racism at that school but they still have a long way to go as a matter of fact the whole state of Kentucky has a long way to go with racism. I am a Obama supporter but I think it was wrong for them to hang up a dummy of Sarah Palin with that noose around her neck too. Wrong is wrong I don't care who does it, and that just wrong. And for those who's using the excuse that this is just a joke and that they don't remember lynching then they should ask their grandparents about it.

    • 3 years ago
  • Paratus
    • 0
      Paratus  

    • Big Hindu, when I find out when and where I will send the info to you.

      Hey guys. This is just "art". What is the problem? The intellectual dishonestyof the left prevented much of an outcry over the Palin effigy. Why get upset over this????
      Art.

    • 3 years ago
  • Big_Hindu
  • huskteam42
    • 0
      huskteam42  

    • In response to lynching, this is considered to be a very touché issue when it comes to blacks. I might not be old enough to remember lynching, but I have seen senseless killing of blacks across the country. Example: A person don’t have to fall off a 10 story building to know by doing so you will die………

    • 3 years ago
  • Liberal_Extinction
    • 0
      Liberal_Extinction  

    • The hypocrisy of the left and their outrage over obama hanging from a tree but their complete dismissal of the hanging Palin and burning McCain is very telling. Race pimpin' at it's finest...

      All 3 incidents are disgusting.

    • 3 years ago
  • Mitscherman
    • 0
      Mitscherman  
    • Liberal_Extinction:

      Racism is racism. Two wrongs do not = Right. And the Palin effigy was criticized by both CNN and Fox News. It made the headlines. If our laws discriminate one as a hate crime and the other as a freedom of expression, take that up with your politicians. Yes, the ones you elected and encouraged to vote for or against certain laws. Inequality in the application of law does not change right from wrong. Hanging an effigy of any human being is wrong.

    • 3 years ago
  • Big_Hindu
    • 0
      Big_Hindu  

    • Lol, if Obama supporters are racist commies, then sign me up for the next racist commie rally because I am an Obama supporter.

    • 3 years ago
  • Mitscherman
    • 0
      Mitscherman  

    • To say blacks are are voting for a black or whites are voting for a white is NOT racism. It's personal choice. Burning or hanging effigies, however, is another thing all together. It is, regardless of which color the effigy represents and/or the color of the racist, a sick and barbaric form of expressing one's limited scope of thinking. Considering so much is being mentioned about race and speculative religious views in this campaign (he's black, she's a woman, and he's a muslim who supports terrorism) clearly demonstrates that our country is not the benchmark of society we would like to believe. In fact, European and South American countries have proven to be much more evolved in thinking and action. The USA is showing the world we can talk the talk but we fail to walk the walk.

    • 3 years ago
  • HeroMAY
  • khromadjo
  • J_Jammer
  • cp9k
    • 0
      cp9k  
    • Image

    • There was an effigy of Sarah Palin hanging from the side of a house in West Hollywood. Here's a link with video. Notice the last girl commenting when her hypocrisy is pointed out to her by the reporter.

    • 3 years ago
  • daboz
  • khromadjo
  • khromadjo
  • Gtarfr3ak
    • 0
      Gtarfr3ak  
    • daboz:

      Daboz the only racist I see posting here is you. '90% of people are voting for Obama just because he's black'... what an ignorant statement..

      And for the record, the local community and mayor asked repeatedly for this to be removed.. but theres a difference between hanging it on your lawn and hanging it on a campus.. cops can remove 1, the other not so much.. and the media jumped on that story just as much as they just on anything else..

      but I suppose I'm wasting my time.. convincing an ignorant racist to think otherwise is next to impossible..

    • 3 years ago
  • Weepowopo
    • 0
      Weepowopo  
    • daboz:

      Racism implies that one race believes it is superior to another. Which is rarely the case when someones uses the word racist. The word you are looking for is prejudice and only if 90% of black are NOT voting for McCain because he is white.

      All words have meaning, please use them appropriately.

    • 3 years ago
  • keithponder
    • 0
      keithponder  
    • daboz:

      90% of Blacks voted for John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson,Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and now Barack Obama because Black people are historically vote democratic.

      95% of all Black people are voting for Barack because of the hatchett job that your boy "W" HAS DONE ON THIS COUNTRY AND THE ENTIRE WORLD , FOR THAT MATTER.

      Go back under your rock.

    • 3 years ago
  • jh64487
    • 0
      jh64487  
    • daboz:

      dude, as was noted by olberman, the hanging palin effigy was not overlooked and was widely condemned. So shut it.

      monster...basically you've proven you simply aren't very intelligent with the muslim comment, you should go hide in a hole in shame and stop bothering people

    • 3 years ago
  • Weepowopo
  • patient215norcal
  • Bill_Robison
    • 0
      Bill_Robison  

    • As if he needed more exposure!

      I'm not saying Obama planned it. But what a great way to create a buzz. Hitting all the buttons, one could say. The article should read, "If you won't support him, at least don't support those who are against him!"

      Give us a break. First, the 2 buttheads who couldn't spell neoconservative had a "plan" to do away with him. Now, an effigy found in Middle Hickville?

      Everyone knows the world is filled with morons and that racists do exist, but running to the voters with these types of headlines is insulting.

      Next.

    • 3 years ago
  • Styx83
    • 0
      Styx83  
    • Bill_Robison:

      look. it's news because it's an abomination for what this country stands for. Now, if the same thing happens to McCain or Palin, we'll all be sure to make it so that it becomes news here, too.

    • 3 years ago
  • Gargaryun
    • 0
      Gargaryun  

    • Effigys in this day and age are tantamount to yelling "FIRE" in a crowded Theater...dangerous hate mongering not covered by the 1st amendment(in My humble opinion)...Free Speech in a politically satirical mode would be to refer to the Repugnantblicun Uncandidates as Bull(shit)Winkie & Rocksinhishead the Crash-landing Squirrel...Sorry,(NOT!) They make it just TOO easy. LMAO

    • 3 years ago
  • kennyJ
    • 0
      kennyJ  

    • Sadly this needs to be expected- Maybe this is the TIME when the American people can call it (and actions like it) out for what they are: An antisocial act of FREE SPEECH by someone with a troubled VOCABULARY- To make a too much of a big deal out of an act of derangement only gives POWER to it-

      Like the buggy wip, the heyday day of such ignorance being a majority is long past- and yes- there is much work for us all to do!

      ef⋅fi⋅gy
         /ˈɛfɪdʒi/ [ef-i-jee]
      –noun, plural -gies.
      1. a representation or image, esp. sculptured, as on a monument.
      2. A CRUDE REPRESENTATION OF SOMEONE DISLIKED, USED FOR PURPOSES OF RIDICULE.
      —Idiom
      3. in effigy, in public view in the form of an effigy: a leader hanged in effigy by the mob.

    • 3 years ago
  • iloveravi
    • 0
      iloveravi  

    • If nothing else, this election season has proven that there are a lot more racist assholes in america than anyone would like to admit.

    • 3 years ago
  • daboz
  • Weepowopo
  • rrawtry
  • Neghie
    • 0
      Neghie  
    • rrawtry:

      Just because you haven't seen a lynching doesn't make it less meaningful. It happened, and its part of our history, and the fact that it hasn't happened only in decades should tell you how fresh it still is. It's wrong, for any persons likeness to be hanging anywhere, but don't pretend that the symbolism strikes a stranger chord when the person in the noose is a brown persuasion. Its disingenuous.

    • 3 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • keithponder
  • uroborus8
    • 0
      uroborus8  
    • rrawtry:

      I'm old enough to remember lynching because I studied history.

      The Sarah Palin doll that was hung by a noose is just as disgusting as this.

      I think the University is handling this very well.

    • 3 years ago
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