According to K-State, the former student posted the picture on Snapchat.
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In text messages sent to the online magazine Fusion, Paige Shoemaker, identified as a K-State sophomore, confirmed that she was one of the two people in the photo. In any case, that decision was rendered rather quickly given that Shoemaker was enrolled on Thursday morning when the image went viral after a student named Desmond Weathers tweeted the disturbing image to call out campus racism.
“I just want people to know that I didn’t put the facial mask on with the idea of taking a racist picture. We did not paint our faces intentional”, Shoemaker said.
The Collegian reported that Shoemaker had been expelled from the organization in the spring of 2015.
The photo was eventually shared on Twitter by a fellow KSU student, who noted, “Welcome to Kansas State University”.
The sorority girl who is Paige received lots of backlash on Facebook, as well as plenty of searches for Shoemaker’s Facebook account, coupled with the Kansas State University school’s name.
“This racially offensive photo with a derogatory message has upset the K-State family and is not in concert with our principles of community”, Dr. Zelia Wiley said Thursday afternoon.
Bosco’s letter to parents and students praised the work of the Black Student Union, but failed to mention if any action would be taken against Shoemaker, who was expelled from her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, last year. The black mud mask covered faces may have been considered a amusing photo to take, with Shoemaker and Meier likely never imagining the fallout that could occur from coupling L’Oreal clay masks with controversy.
Lewis said that although the student body is angry, they are also eager to make changes in response to the situation.
Students at the meeting also discussed whether the university had responded well to the controversy.
Shoemaker tried to explain her actions to KSNT.
‘It rightly should, as there is no place for racism at our university, regardless of what the intentions may have been’. The photo (right) circulated widely on social media.
Later today, Kansas State released another statement that confirmed “the involved person is not now enrolled at the university”. “With us being Kansas State students, you can’t joke about stuff like that”.
Zeta Tau Alpha issued a statement on the fraternity chapter’s Facebook page also distancing itself from Shoemaker. We know that we will ride up and learn from this mistake’.
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“This photo has students, faculty, staff and other members of the K-State family upset”. We’re a big family.
