Press Releases
CAIR-Houston Condemns Racist Video of UH Volleyball Players, Calls for Investigation
(HOUSTON, TX, 3/31/2022) – The Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston) today condemned a racist video posted online apparently showing two of the University of Houston student-athletes laughing as they passed a historical sight of a lynching in Colorado County.
A large oak tree in Columbus marks the spot where two African American teenage boys were lynched by a mob in 1935. The students were seen laughing in a video with the caption “this is the hanging tree where we used to hang people.”
See: Students outraged after 2 alleged UH volleyball players appear in racist video near the site of an infamous 1935 lynching
UH volleyball players appear in a video with a racist caption, drawing outrage from other student-athletes
http://thedailycougar.com/2022/03/28/uh-volleyball-racist-video/
“We condemn this blatantly racist video by these students and call on the University of Houston and its athletic department to investigate,” said CAIR-Houston Director of Operations and University of Houston alumnus William White. “Southeast Texas has a deep and very tragic history that should never be mocked, and to see this history being laughed at is deeply offensive. We hope the school and the athletic department will take the necessary actions to rectify this situation and foster inclusivity for its diverse student body.”
He said the American Muslim community and CAIR stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, white supremacy, anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Houston Director of Operations William White, 713-838-2247, w-white@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com
