An employee at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia was placed on administrative leave after placing a noose on the chair of a Black colleague.
Surveillance video captured the white male coin maker walking across the factory floor with a noose in hand. The employee created the noose with rope used to seal coin bags at the U.S. Mint. Scores of Black workers contacted the union president the following day and the U.S. Treasury Department’s inspector general began an internal investigation.
U.S. Mint officials released the following statement:
“We have absolutely zero tolerance for the kind of misconduct reported at the Mint. Secretary Mnuchin has directed that this matter be handled swiftly and seriously. The investigation is moving ahead quickly. We strive every day for a workplace environment that is welcoming and safe for all.”
However, the national union has not released a statement on the matter.
Across the D.C. and Maryland region, nooses — considered a hate symbol by the the Anti-Defamation League — have been popping up in recent months. In May, a noose was discovered at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Earlier this spring, bananas strung up by nooses peppered the campus of American University, also in the nation’s capital. The hanging fruits had been emblazoned with the letters of the Black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.
In recent months, nooses have also popped up at the University of Maryland and outside of a middle school in Crofton, MD.
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[BLANK_AUDIO] Is it our job to educate white folks when the racism hits the fan? We're asking because recently Katy Perry has been on an apology tour for all the cultural appropriation she's done. Even sitting down with Black Lives Matter activist DeRay McKesson Take a look at this. Even in my, you know, intention to appreciate Japanese culture, I did it wrong with a performance. I didn't know that I did it wrong until I heard people saying I did it wrong, and sometimes that's what it takes. It takes someone to say Out of compassion, out of love, hey, dude, this is where the origin is, you know? And do you understand? And not just like a clap back, you know? Right. Okay, so not only do we have to endure the racism, but we also have to be nice when talking about it. Got it. So we're asking you again for today's viewer poll. Is it our responsibility to educate white people when they do something racist? Vote A for yes. B for no. Using hashtag EssenceLive. Now our ear to the internet streets is manning social media for your comments right now. Hey, Kayla. Hey. What are folks saying on social media? Alright, comments are already rolling in. Bernadine Thorpe says, Katy Perry, still fierce. There's going to be flops here and there. She's going to be all right. Renette Williams says, white people should use the common sense they have and check each other. We have a lot of our own work to do. Making sure they get it right is a waste of our time and energy that we need for other fights. [SOUND] Liz Jackson says, do your research like everyone else. I know that's right. Google is free and it is available to everyone. Alright, now keep those votes and comments coming. We really want to hear them and we'll read the results later on in the show. We asked earlier, is it our responsibility to educate white people when they do something racist? Responses were mixed. [LAUGH] Yeah. Most people said yes. [UNKNOWN] says being ignorant is not a pass Educate, empower, and research. Thankful Glasper says, every race's misdeed is a teachable moment. But John Weatherow said that, I don't think it's our responsibility but some people need some guidance. Wow, sounds pretty mixed. All right, so let's see the results of today's viewer poll. We asked you, is it our responsibility to educate white folks when they make racist mistakes? And here's how you voted. [BLANK_AUDIO] All right 79% of people say that's the only way we'll see real change and 21% said no, white people should educate themselves. Now that is an interesting breakdown. I tend to agree with the 79% that yes We have to talk about these issues, and we have to, like, that's the only way that we'll get real change, right? [BLANK_AUDIO]
