Sock monkey hanging from dorm window stirs controversy

A picture taken at Rhodes College is circling on social media, and some people say it is racially insensitive.

MEMPHIS — The picture shows a sock monkey with a rope tied around its neck hanging from the window of a dormitory room. It was sent to WHBQ by an anonymous source.

Rhodes College student Shavonne Bragg said African-American students aren't happy.

"I'm upset and it makes me feel uncomfortable to be here, but I'm glad we had a town hall to talk about what is going on," Bragg told WHBQ.

We spoke to college professor and pastor, Earle Fisher, of the Memphis Grassroots Organization Coalition. He said in this day and age, acts like this can be taken the wrong way.

"I think all of us have heightened sensitivities and sensibilities," Fisher said.

The college released a statement to WHBQ, stating a meeting was held Saturday to address the incident.

This past Friday, a sock monkey was seen hanging from a residence hall window on campus. Rhodes Campus Safety was notified, and the stuffed animal was promptly removed. On Saturday morning, it was discovered that someone had used chalk to write comments in support of Donald Trump on sidewalks around the campus. Among the statements was, "Donald Trump 2016 - Build a Wall." 
A group of Rhodes administrators, faculty, and staff met with students Saturday to discuss these incidences and address the connotations and implications of both. At the beginning of the meeting, the student responsible for the sock monkey incident apologized, explaining that his actions were not racially motivated, but rather part of a series of pranks on his roommate, who owns the stuffed animal.
The Honor System at Rhodes is designed to create a community where respect and compassion for others is the norm. We will continue to have productive discussions and followup on campus to ensure that Rhodes is a welcoming, inclusive, and compassionate environment for all.

Students like Fisher don’t appreciate the “prank.”

"I don't think this a laughing matter or anything to proclaim about," Fisher said.

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