Scattering Cotton Balls on Lawn of Black Culture-Center a Felony Hate Crime?

newsblaze.com ^ | 3-8-10 | Robert Paul Reyes

[Justaham]

Two students at the University of Missouri-Columbia were suspended Wednesday after their arrests in a case of cotton balls thrown across the lawn of the campus black-culture center.

Campus police on Tuesday evening arrested the students, one of whom is from the St. Louis area, on suspicion of a felony hate crime. The two were released on bond, and charges were pending.

The incident happened early Friday at the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center, near the middle of campus. Nathan Stephens, the center's coordinator, said students were offended because of the 'symbolic violence' that harkened to days of slavery on cotton plantations."

[ricks_place]

There is nothing wrong with Black Cotton Farmers. Plenty of Whites labored in fields picking cotton!

According to the latest USDA census (2002) there are 408 Black cotton farmers in the United States. The census is not necessarily an accurate count of farmers but it is the best statistical information available. The Black cotton farmers are located in the following states:

Cotton Farmers in the United States
(2002 Agriculture Census)

State Alabama         Arizona            Arkansas        Georgia           Florida                Mississippi North Carolina South Carolina Texas                 Louisiana      Virginia            Tennessee    Total

Number 22 1 23 65 6 140 36 9 27 54 5 20 408

[SkyDancer]

Stay safe!