Racially insensitive NYU menu leads apology, firings

NEW YORK – A racially insensitive menu for a Black History Month meal at New York University has led to a company apology and workers being fired.

According to The New York Times , NYU President Andrew Hamilton says it was “inexcusably insensitive” for a food service company to feature barbecued ribs, corn bread, collard greens, and beverages with racist connotations: Kool-Aid and watermelon-flavoured water.

Sophomore Nia Harris, who’s black, says the head cook dismissed her objections and told her that black employees planned the menu.

Aramark says it has fired two workers and is retraining its NYU employees.

It issued an apology to the entire NYU community and “communities everywhere” for the employees’ “insensitive and offensive actions.”

Harris says that in addition to their studies, black students have to do “extra work” — teaching sensitivity and respect.

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Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com