'Upsetting' photo sends university into panic

Framingham State University (Photo: FSU)

Alert! Alert! A Massachusetts university is scrambling to protect its students from trauma after school officials discovered what they consider an "upsetting" image on a laptop.

Was it a terror threat? No.

An armed lunatic threatening the school? No.

The alarming "bias incident" involved … a photo of a Confederate flag.

The image was displayed on a laptop at Framingham State University in Framingham, Massachusetts, according to Campus Reform.

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After the flag was spotted, the university reportedly sent out an email alert to its student body. The email, which had the names of people and the school redacted, was posted on Imgur.com Friday morning.

"The [redacted] Bias Protocol and Response Team has been made aware of this incident, and will meet to determine any measures that may be needed to respond to this incident," the email stated. "Our primary goal continues to be to expeditiously address and resolve incidents of bias that impede our progress toward a welcoming and inclusive campus community."

Framingham's student newspaper, the Gatepost, confirmed that the email came from Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Sean Huddleston.

Huddleston's email acknowledged that some individuals view the Confederate flag as "a symbol of shared southern heritage and in memory of the Civil War," but he added:

"Many see the Confederate flag as an inflammatory symbol of oppression and constant reminder of a dark period in the history of the United States in which slavery was a legal, accepted and desired practice."

Because the flag represented the Confederacy during the Civil War, he concluded, the flag is "regarded by many as a symbol of hate that has been associated with slavery and other forms of oppression."

Huddleston's message said "symbols such as these are not condoned" by the university, "as they violate the core values of our institution and are not considered consistent with our desire to maintain a safe, respectful, and welcoming campus for all."

Show your patriotic colors proudly! We've got plenty of U.S. flags available to let everyone know how much you love America!

He concluded his email: "We recognize that bias incidents are upsetting for the entire campus community, but especially for the target(s) and witness(es) of these incidents. It is strongly suggested that anyone impacted by a bias incident find someone to speak with."

Then Huddleston listed staff members whom traumatized students may contact, including the university's chief diversity and inclusion officer, the Equal Opportunity Office, the Center for Inclusive Excellence, the Counseling Center, the Dean of Students Office and several hall residence directors.

Concerned individuals may contact Framingham State University.