I was on Facebook last night and was shocked to see that a friend had posted this picture. Yep. That's exactly what you think it is. Its a noose. Hanging in one of the halls on the University of California, San Diego campus. Hung by some people who obviously have a major problem. Evidently, a group of frat boys thought it'd be a good idea to throw a party they decided to call the "Compton Cookout", and various black stereotypes were the designated dress code. People were actually encouraged to dress up as "ghetto chicks" and every other imaginable stereotype portraying black people living in the inner city. Right on down to the black face!

When the shit hit the fan, via Facebook, and the folks responsible were confronted, the organizers of this party attempted to defend themselves by standing firm in their position to throw this party. A total, "no harm" kind of argument. No harm, huh? Well then, how do you explain the presence of this noose? And according to my friend, "a message was sent to the Guardian (UCSD's Student-run Newspaper) saying more (nooses) are to come." I'm confused. Even more so by folks who are not really seeing what all the fuss is about.

Here's an article about a UCSD student run tv station being shut down because of use of the N-word when referring to those outraged about the play of events around this mess.

What do you think? Anyone from SoCal have any insights? I mean, seriously? WTF?