By Michael Freeman, Managing Editor
A noose can evoke feelings of anger, bitterness or shock for some people. But for Daniel Paul Watkins, senior political science major from Fredericksburg, Va., and Students’ Association president, finding a hangman’s noose in the chair of his office Sept. 3, merely added to a long list of incidents he said he has experienced in his time at ACU.
“This situation has been weird for me,” Watkins said. “This isn’t the only racially motivated thing that’s happened to me at ACU. By some accounts, you could say that it’s not even the most egregious one; it happens everyday to me.”
The incident still is under investigation as of Tuesday afternoon, Watkins said he has been called the n-word, been told he does not talk or dress as a black person supposedly should and has received negative comments about dating his girlfriend, who is white.
Watkins said what occurred in his office more than a week ago almost does not compare to what he already has experienced.
“The conglomeration of all the other things that have happened has had such a direct impact on who I am as a person, how I react to things, the way I think of myself, how I relate to other people, that I view the body of acts that has taken place as a bigger deal than this,” Watkins said. “This is more of an isolated event, and it didn’t really get to me the same way other things have because it was faceless.”
But not everyone on campus views the act as hateful. Joshua Jackson, senior youth and family ministry major from Wichita, Kan., and president of the Student African American Brotherhood, said that although he has heard stereotypical comments about black students while at ACU, he does not believe every comment is malicious.
“In some cases, it’s racism. But I think it’s more of just the ignorance of people who don’t know any better,” Jackson said. “Now with the times changing, some people just haven’t changed with the times.” George Pendergrass, director of multicultural enrichment, said until a culprit is found, people should not jump to conclusions.
“I think what Daniel, as well as any other person, has to be careful of is that they don’t allow the negative things in their life taint how they perceive the world,” Pendergrass said. The noose could have been left in Watkins’ office for any number of reasons, he said.
“I never saw this as a hate crime,” Pendergrass said. “I don’t know who did it. But I do know that everybody needs to be investigated to make sure we find out the truth.” Watkins said he remains optimistic and unafraid about what will happen as the ACU Police Department continues its investigation.
“Traditionally, the noose has been used as a terrorist tactic for intimidation, for fear,” Watkins said. “But, I haven’t been afraid that someone is going to kill me. My parents said that they raised me to be prepared for situations like this. They trusted and knew that I would handle myself in the most positive way not only for my family, but for my faith.”
Watkins, Jackson and Pendergrass said they all agree that the incident should be a call to action among the ACU student body to discuss race relations.
“Not everybody is going to see eye-to-eye,” Jackson said. “Some people are fearful of
other people because they grew up in a town where they didn’t see too many black people
or didn’t see too many white people. That’s not to say they’re racist, but that it’s something that they’re not used to. I think that until we can come together and be honest and express what is really in our hearts and minds, then we’re never going to get anywhere.”
So far, the administration, faculty, staff and students have been supportive, Watkins said. He has received numerous gifts, letters, messages and e-mails of encouragement since the noose was left in his office. “It has been a really positive reaction,” Watkins said. “I can really feel that tangible support system in the ACU community. That’s been good knowing that people do care about me.”
Tolerance and support among the ACU student body, about 20 percent of which are minorities, are strong characteristics to have, Pendergrass said.
“I believe that our school is a lot more tolerant; we’re a lot more of a place of acceptance, and to couple all of that with Christianity, I think that we have some of the finest Christians that you’d ever want to see,” Pendergrass said.
Watkins said the Students’ Association Cabinet also has rallied around him. “We really are a team,” Watkins said. “I’ve been in SA for three years, and there’s an energy that I’ve never really felt before. It’s good to know they have my back, and that I have theirs.”
Although the noose incident already has received national attention from media outlets such as ABCNews.com, the Associated Press and newspapers across the country, Watkins said he hopes the university will stay focused on learning and moving forward in the areas of forgiveness, love and race relations.
“It’s important to me to communicate to everyone where I’m coming from, how I feel about it in a non-sensationalist way,” Watkins said. “I have no intention to be famous. I think if this situation becomes too sensationalized, then we as a community don’t benefit from it as much as we could; I think that what happened can be taken as a learning moment for us. The Bible says, ‘all things will work together for good for those who love the Lord.'”
