Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Celerity

(43,327 posts)
Tue May 12, 2020, 07:51 PM May 2020

This Virtual Graduation Ceremony Got Zoom-Bombed With A Racist Attack

Other online gatherings of college students have been disrupted by messages of hate during the coronavirus outbreak.

https://nowthisnews.com/news/oklahoma-city-university-zoom-graduation-hacked-by-racist-message



As graduates’ names scrolled across the screen during a virtual graduation ceremony, a hacker’s racist message disrupted their moment of recognition. The Oklahoma City University ceremony on Saturday was one of many across the country that have shifted to an online format, so students who are achieving a milestone can still celebrate during a deadly virus outbreak that has forced millions of people to stay inside.

The OCU ceremony drew 650 digital attendees and was upended by a message containing a racial slur and a swastika, according to multiple reports. On Sunday, a small group gathered outside of the university to post signs of encouragement with messages like “Love Not Hate.”

https://www.facebook.com/devaunjue.williams/posts/3034713719955848

“My grandma, my mom saw it, and they were really heartbroken,” OCU graduate Leondre Lattimore told local news outlet KOCO. “All we saw was the n-word and a swastika.” Devaunjue “Jay” Williams, a Black student who led a prayer during the ceremony shortly before the hacking, posted a tearful Facebook video on Saturday responding to the incident. In both presentations, he appeared in front of a rainbow “Coexist” flag — the last visual the class saw before the attack. In his video after the ceremony, he said he learned about how to coexist during his time in school.

“We’ll heal. We’ll overcome. We’ll continue to fight for justice,” Williams said. “People are gonna be mad. People are gonna be upset, for whatever reason. Our people are going to continue to prosper. We’re going to continue to do good things.” He added: “If you hate us just because of the way we look, that’s on you, not on us.”

snip
1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
This Virtual Graduation Ceremony Got Zoom-Bombed With A Racist Attack (Original Post) Celerity May 2020 OP
A Punk Move ProfessorGAC May 2020 #1
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»This Virtual Graduation C...