Gettysburg Swim Team Addresses Racial Slur Skin-Etching Incident

The Gettysburg College swim team released a statement addressing the situation that led to two swimmers being suspended and one victim left with a racial slur etched into their skin. 

The statement sought to clarify that an investigation found that there was not a prevailing toxic or racist culture on the school's swim team. 

"Earlier this week, the College confirmed that fact: 'The student conduct investigation affirmed that the incident is not a byproduct of an unhealthy athletic team culture or a reflection on the team itself; rather, we see in the captains the measure of what it means to be a Gettysburgian by their notification to their coaches,' " read the statement. "Racism has no home here—neither at Gettysburg College nor on our team. We stand united in condemning the actions that took place."

According to The Guardian, officials received “a deeply concerning report of a racial slur being scratched on to a student using a plastic or ceramic tool,” officials at the liberal arts school said in a statement last week.

“This is a serious report, which is being actively assessed through the student conduct process,” the college said. “At this point, the students involved are not participating in swim team activities.”

A family member of the victim told the Gettysburgian that the victim had the N-word cut into their chest by someone they trusted. The victim's family said they consider the incident a hate crime. 

The statement from the affirmed that Gettysburg president "Iuliano has confirmed: this incident was not tied to the swim team. It was not a team-sanctioned event. It was not hazing. It was not endorsed by our team. This incident does not reflect our values or who we are."

The full statement can be read below: 

"Given the intense focus surrounding the recent events on campus, the Gettysburg College Swim Team feels compelled to address the incident directly. 

"We acknowledge the past few weeks have been extraordinarily difficult for many people within our campus community and beyond. Our hearts are with everyone who has been directly and indirectly affected by this. The pain and anguish caused by the heinous act that occurred, and the media coverage that has followed, have affected people far and wide. As a swim team, both collectively and as individuals, these days have been some of the hardest of our lives. 

"The national spotlight has unfortunately led some to believe that our team, or the culture within our team, is complicit in the racist incident that took place. This couldn't be further from the truth. 

"Earlier this week, the College confirmed that fact: "The student conduct investigation affirmed that the incident is not a byproduct of an unhealthy athletic team culture or a reflection on the team itself; rather, we see in the captains the measure of what it means to be a Gettysburgian by their notification to their coaches." 

"Racism has no home here—neither at Gettysburg College nor on our team. We stand united in condemning the actions that took place.  

"We know the character of this team. We believe in our team. To sit in silence while our reputation has been unjustly smeared has been agonizing. It has hurt deeply to see something we love so much be wrongfully associated with something so vile. 

"To be clear and as President Iuliano has confirmed: this incident was not tied to the swim team. It was not a team-sanctioned event. It was not hazing. It was not endorsed by our team. This incident does not reflect our values or who we are. 

"We are grateful to the Gettysburg Swim Team coaching staff and The Office of the President for their handling of this situation. In recognizing us in their statement, they commended the upperclassmen of the swim team for reporting the incident and affirmed that the act does not represent our team's values. Thank you. 

"In a few weeks, we will return to the pool, as determined as ever. We will represent this College with pride, both in and out of the water. We will emerge from this a stronger, more united team, and, as many others have said, our campus has the potential to become a stronger institution because of it." 

-The Gettysburg College Swim Team