College paper fires student journalist over racist article

Texas State University student Rudy Martinez last month wrote an article – which has since been removed – claiming white people are an “aberration”.

The article addressed “white people” and sported the bold title ‘Your DNA is an abomination’. It included phrases such as “white death will mean liberation for all”.

Understandably, the article caused student uproar. Following its publication, students called for The University Star, the student paper, to be defunded.

In response to the backlash the paper received from the article, a message from The Editorial Board was published. The message announced the removal of Martinez from the team and admitted they “screwed up”.

“As editors, we allowed a hateful column to be published and hurt our community that deserves better,” the message said. “Texas State is a place where every student should feel safe learning and growing.”

Has Rudy Martinez been expelled/suspended? Has the editor of the University Star been fired for approving the article? I’m glad you find racism troubling, but actions speak louder than words. This is not ok.

— Matt Broady (@MattBroady) November 29, 2017

“This is a student-run independent newspaper that enjoys the full rights and responsibilities of the First Amendment,” it continued. “Our newsroom is a learning space that gives us the ability to grow into our profession. It is a place where we make decisions and live by their consequences.

“The author of the column has jeopardized the atmosphere of inclusivity at this university. We have taken action and fired the individual.”

The message also revealed the editorial team received hate mail and even death threats, amid threats that funding will be pulled, following the article’s publication.

A group of conservative students at the university even went as far as to start a petition to defund the paper. The petition has nearly 2,000 signatures.

What will become of the rest of the team who allowed the article to run is yet to be known. Martinez’s dismissal has quietened down some of the outpour of disgust, yet the fate of The University Star still hangs in the balance.

Liked this? Then you’ll love…

Student newspaper publishes: White people are ‘an abomination’

Harvard University professor calls for quota system for minorities