USC student pelted with eggs and racial slurs outside of Cardinal Gardens

‘I chose USC for the sole purpose of escaping the reality of racism… I guess I thought wrong’

On March 5, USC student Ivan Tsang posted on Facebook that he’d been pelted with eggs and verbally attacked by a racist student.

According to Tsang, he was sitting in front of USC’s Cardinal Gardens’ fireplace by himself, when he was hit with three eggs and repeatedly called, “Ching Chang Chong motherfucker gay,” by another student in his building.

Tsang, an undergraduate international student from Hong Kong, wrote on his Facebook: “I chose USC for the sole purpose of escaping the reality of racism… I guess I thought wrong.”

Within the last twenty-four hours, Tsang’s Facebook post has received over 300 likes and 160 shares, with most USC students offering their good thoughts and seeking justice for Tsang.

Rini Sampath, USC’s Student Body President, posted on Facebook: “Racism and discrimination have no place in our USC community.”

 

 

Official statement offered from USC’s Student Affairs.

For a geographically diverse university, USC has a regrettable history of racial tension and discrimination between students. Just last September, USC’s Student Body President, Rini Sampath, was victim of racism when a fraternity member leaned out of a fraternity house window, shouted “You Indian piece of shit,” then hurled his drink at her.

Since then, USC has contributed towards on-campus diversity talks and encouraged students to report all discrimination attacks to Student Affairs.

But for Tsang, USC’s actions didn’t affect change fast enough. With the hope that Facebook could be his bullhorn, Tsang posted, “I’m surprised you even noticed I was Chinese from so far away on your balcony. Perhaps you were probably not drunk or high?”

Most surprisingly, Tsang also posted the alleged attacker’s Cardinal Gardens’ room number. He then concluded his post by saying: “this does not represent the USC community.”

A fair question posted by a frustrated USC student on Yik Yak

Meanwhile, USC waited several hours before issuing an emailed statement to the entire USC student body.

“This act was shameful and will not be tolerated at our university,” wrote Ainsley Carry, Vice President for Student Affairs.

In the statement, Carry thanked Tsang for reaching out to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and allowing USC to involve the Los Angeles Police Department in the investigation.

Nevertheless, Tsang has garnered encouraging support from a large portion of the Trojan family.

Numerous fellow Trojans have shared their own experiences and expressed their solidarity with Tsang on Facebook, proving systematic racism can be combatted through individual actions and unanimous support.

USC students don’t hold back their frustration on Yik Yak

While the general atmosphere on Facebook was respectful, the anonymity of Yik Yak revealed a burgeoning sense of  discrimination and exclution.

One anonymous student posted on Yik Yak: “Getting the email from Student Affairs and thinking ‘Hmm… what did the frat guys do now.’”

While it’s important to acknowledge the divide felt by this student, the identity of the perpetrator has not yet been disclosed, so there is no reason to believe it was a fraternity member.

Despite it being a shitty situation, Tsang has tried to find the humor in his circumstances by finishing his Facebook post with, “Next time, I would like them (eggs) sunny-side up please.” Hopefully, there won’t be a next time, Tsang.

 

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