US student asked to take down 'f*** Nazis' poster because it wasn't inclusive

A US univerity has received backlash over its response to anti-Nazi poster.

A photo of the poster.

A photo of the poster. Source: Buzzfeed

A US university student was asked to take down an anti-Nazi poster from her window because it wasn't "inclusive".

Nicole Parsons from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst told Buzzfeed she put up a poster with the words "f*** Nazis you are not welcome here" after a Hanukkah sign on campus was defaced with a swastika.

"I thought maybe if I hang the sign up, maybe the person who drew the swastika will see it and see someone condemning their actions," she told the outlet.
But Ms Parsons then received an email from a resident director asking her to remove the sign.

"While Residence Education cannot force you or your roommate to take the sign down, I am asking that you or your roommate take the sign down so that all students can be a part of an inclusive residential experience, as well as having a respectful environment to be a part of here on our campus," the email read.
University of Massachusetts Amherst student Nicole Parsons.
University of Massachusetts Amherst student Nicole Parsons. Source: Buzzfeed
Ms Parsons told Buzzfeed she was "in absolute shock".

"This email tells me the university cares more about the feelings of Nazis than the safety of their students."

In the fallout, University of Massachusetts-Amherst issued a statement via Facebook.
"A poorly worded email from Residence Life staff asking students to take down the sign does not reflect the values of the campus, and it should not have been sent," it said.

"UMass Amherst emphatically rejects Nazis, and any other hate group, a view expressed in the students’ sign. However, we are sensitive to the use of profanity, which some could find inappropriate."

"The university respects the students' right to display the sign and it may remain up."

Ms Parsons has since removed the sign because of the attention it brought to the dorm room.

"[But] I'm going to keep the sign forever," she said.


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