Indiana
Indiana State University Issues Statement After Student Made Racist Remarks in Video
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(597x498:599x500)/Indiana-state-university-041124-699062fb20f14f9b9e439407ad5c8d87.jpg?ssl=1 "Indiana State University Issues Statement After Student Made Racist Remarks in Video")
Indiana State University is speaking out after a student’s critique against Beyoncé becoming a Black female country artist went viral.
According to ABC 33/40, WISH-TV, and WFIU, the video in which the student said remarks such as “I’m sorry, but if you’re Black, you’re not country” was posted after the singer released her Cowboy Carter album in late March.
University president Deborah J. Curtis said in a statement issued on Wednesday, April 10, that upon learning of the video’s existence, her staff “immediately worked with the Vice President of Student Affairs to identify the student, communicate directly with student leaders, and strategize how to prioritize student well-being and safety.”
While the university says they’ve identified the student, they did not name her in the statement.
Curtis said there has been “rampant information spreading online,” adding that “the privacy of students, due process, and actions taken by the university and its employees cannot be shared” under federal law.
The faculty leader said the “entire campus community” has been impacted by the video and expressed that “racism, hate speech, and discrimination of any kind is deplorable and in direct contradiction of Indiana state’s mission, vision, and values.”
She emphasized that the comments in the viral video in “no way represent the ideals and goals” of the university.
Beyonce Instagram
The president’s statement came a day after the university issued a separate statement expressing that it was taking that incident “seriously” and is “committed to ensuring a welcoming environment for everyone.”
The university’s response to the video has caused various student body members to speak out online, including the Indiana State University NAACP Executive Committee and African Student Union, which called for the university to issue disciplinary action against the student.
Google maps
Since its release, Cowboy Carter has seen massive success, including reaching No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart.
The milestone made Beyoncé, 42, the first ever Black female artist to achieve the feat since the list’s launch in January 1964.
With the album single “Texas Hold ‘Em,” the musician also became the first-ever Black female artist to top the Hot Country Songs chart.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
To help combat systemic racism, consider learning from or donating to these organizations:
- Campaign Zero works to end police brutality in America through research-proven strategies.
- ColorofChange.org works to make the government more responsive to racial disparities.
National Cares Mentoring Movement provides social and academic support to help Black youth succeed in college and beyond.
Fernando Mendoza did not attend Indiana University’s visit to the White House commemorating the Hoosiers’ college football national championship on Monday. The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback said earlier this month that he would not attend if it interfered with any activities with his new team.
“I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here,” Mendoza said following a rookie minicamp practice. “I got to prove myself. I can’t miss practice. I don’t know anything official. I don’t have the calendar, but I just wouldn’t. As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look, and I want to try to best serve my teammates. And I don’t know if that’d be accomplishing that goal.”
According to the team’s official offseason schedule, the Raiders did not have any formal practices or workouts on Monday. The team’s next organized activity is May 18, its first OTA workout.
“Fernando couldn’t be here today because, as I said, he’s now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders,” President Donald Trump said in his address. “Let’s see how good of a team they have, and I think he’s gonna do great. He’s a winner.”
Mendoza wasn’t the only absence. Center Pat Coogan and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds were among the other Hoosiers not in attendance for the event due to NFL obligations. Indiana had a program-record eight players selected in April’s NFL Draft.
Trump highlighted Mendoza’s accomplishments and contributions to the school’s first football national title. He celebrated Mendoza as Indiana’s inaugural Heisman Trophy winner and praised his fourth-quarter touchdown run in the championship game against Miami.
“He’s gonna be a good one,” Trump said.
Indiana was well-represented by returning members of the team. Charlie Becker, one of Mendoza’s go-to receivers during the College Football Playoffs, and Jamari Sharpe, whose late interception secured the title-game victory, both spoke on behalf of the school, as did head coach Curt Cignetti.
Mendoza is one of four members of the national champion Hoosiers who joined the Raiders this offseason. Running back Roman Hemby and wide receiver E.J. Williams Jr. signed as undrafted free agents in the days following the draft. Wide receiver Jonathan Brady earned a contract after impressing as a tryout player during rookie minicamp.
MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) — Police are investigating a triple shooting that took place on Muncie’s south side Sunday evening that left a woman dead and two men injured.
According to police, at approximately 5:27 p.m., Muncie Police Officers were dispatched to the 2700 block of South Walnut Street in reference to reports of several people being shot.
Officers arrived and located three gunshot victims: A 23-year-old female who died from “multiple wounds,” a 39-year-old male who is hospitalized in stable condition, and a 40-year-old male who was airlifted to an Indianapolis hospital in critical condition.
Police say a suspect is in custody, a 21-year-old man.
Police did not provide any additional information.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Muncie Police Detective Division at 765-747-4867 or dispatch at 765-747-4838.
Candace Parker, Cynthia Cooper share thoughts on Knicks playoff run
USAT’s Sam Cardona-Norberg asks WNBA legends Candace Parker and Cynthia Cooper to give their thoughts on the Knicks hot playoff run.
Sports Seriously
The Indiana Pacers lost 63 games this season for a chance at a franchise-changing lottery pick. On Sunday, May 10, they lost that chance, too.
All Pacers president Kevin Pritchard could do was apologize for taking the risk.
Indiana’s pick landed at No. 5 in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, one spot outside the top four protections attached to a midseason trade. The selection now belongs to the Los Angeles Clippers .
Shortly after the results were announced, Pritchard took social media and apologized.
“I’m really sorry to all our fans,” Pritchard wrote. “I own taking this risk. Surprised it came up 5th after this year. I thought we were due some luck.”
The Pacers entered the lottery with a 52.1% chance of securing a top-four pick after finishing 19-63, the second-worst record in the NBA. It wasn’t enough.
Indiana sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick to Los Angeles in the midseason deal for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown, along with the conditional 2026 first-rounder. The pick was theirs to keep only if it landed in the top four.
Zubac appeared in just five games for Indiana after the trade because of a fractured rib.
“This team deserved a starting center to compete with the best teams next year,” Pritchard wrote. “We have always been resillient.”
Pritchard will have to be resilient if he looks at the replies to his statement. About half of the Pacers fans’ comments were not happy, and fans of other teams called him out for “tanking.”
There were also a large number of fans who were supportive of Pritchard taking that risk.
Tyrese Haliburton is expected to return next season after tearing his Achilles in last year’s NBA Finals. The Pacers will have him Pascal Siakam and a roster they think is built to compete. They just won’t have that first-round pick to add to it.
The 2026 NBA Draft begins June 23 in Brooklyn.
-
Wyoming6 minutes ago2 dead, 1 injured after vehicle goes airborne, strikes pole in Fremont County
-
Crypto12 minutes agoTrio charged in Bay Area cryptocurrency robbery spree
-
Finance18 minutes agoNorway faces dilemma on openness in wealth fund ethical divestments, finance minister says
-
Fitness23 minutes agoExercise Icons Of The ’70s Who Were So Ahead Of Their Time – Health Digest
-
Movie Reviews36 minutes agoFilm Review: ‘The Wizard of the Kremlin’ Finds Paul Dano and Jude Law in a Compelling Throwback Political Drama – Awards Radar
-
World48 minutes ago
A South Korean startup captures workers’ techniques to develop AI brains for robots
-
News54 minutes agoInstructure Strikes Deal for Hackers for Return of Canvas Data
-
Politics60 minutes agoJudge Again Delays Guantánamo’s First Death-Penalty Terror Trial