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On Twitter, Penn State football player Antonio Shelton angrily shared a picture of a letter received by one of his teammates from an older alum of the university.
The note talks about the "old days" and tells the player who it was addressed to that his dreadlocks are "disgusting" and should be cut.
One of my teammates got this. Explain to me how this isn’t racist. https://t.co/Qms1F6DEEP— Antonio Shelton (@Antonio Shelton)1570484375.0
Other players like CJ Holmes also shared the picture, decrying the racist nature of the alumnus' demands.
my teammate got this in the mail today, and tbh Im at a lost for words.. I also have locs, Tats, and NFL dreams too… https://t.co/Tuy7MDixMf— ㅤ (@ㅤ)1570486741.0
Fans speculated the letter was addressed to Jonathan Sutherland, one of the Penn State players who wears dreadlocks.
@CjHo1mes @TsunamiFord Probably about Jonathan Sutherland would be my guess. #26.— Jacob Weaver (@Jacob Weaver)1570491106.0
@_groovy55 Dear Jonathan, keep rocking the dreadlocks and keep being you! Being a Penn Stater has nothing to do wit… https://t.co/rTN2w5Ywh8— Eric Kahler (@Eric Kahler)1570485687.0
Real fans of Penn State football all agreed the most important aspect of the organization was its inclusion.
🤔 One thing that made me love penn state is the open arms you receive from day 1 regardless of race, ethnicity, hai… https://t.co/jF5jWAvbhL— Lamar Stevens (@Lamar Stevens)1570486787.0
CJ Holmes was sure to note how many wonderful fans support the team regardless of hair style.
We still have the best fans in the land! Sometimes people just need to be educated. One bad apple does not spoil the entire tree. #WeAre— ㅤ (@ㅤ)1570487094.0
The fact that he took the time to really sit down and type that is beyond me. And then bring his parents into it.. Wheewwww...— ㅤ (@ㅤ)1570487440.0
People couldn't believe this alumnus had actually gone out of his way to type and send such racist sentiments.
We must all denounce these racist remarks if we’re proud Penn Staters. This is not Penn State. This is an embarrass… https://t.co/zKbJKXTHa7— Hunter Kelly (@Hunter Kelly)1570489789.0
@bcuban Totally agree--at best he is inappropriate, he is definitely culturally insensitive, and at worst, he is racist— David McCaslin (@David McCaslin)1570491108.0
Everyone on Penn State should have dreadlocks for the next game. https://t.co/r3Nawx6RhY— Dan Rice (@Dan Rice)1570489024.0
Others felt Penn State alumni should still be apologizing for their support of Jerry Sandusky after that scandal broke.
Penn State alum acting like they have some moral high ground to stand on when that’s the same school that covered u… https://t.co/Bm9vjBbrpd— Nephew Rico 💎🔥 (@Nephew Rico 💎🔥)1570489847.0
@mikefreemanNFL I wrote about the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal & I swear I got some of the most obtuse, self ri… https://t.co/tQvq1Ri1UF— Marcos Breton (@Marcos Breton)1570490574.0
Fans thanked Holmes and Shelton for raising awareness of racist incidents like this one.
@CjHo1mes Appreciate the level-headedness on this situation, CJ. Well said! #BeatIowa— Joshua Hoch (@Joshua Hoch)1570488810.0
Something like this, You don’t overreact, you have to take these opportunities to create conversation and educate.… https://t.co/YSu3zd4hFy— ㅤ (@ㅤ)1570489602.0
Penn State's official account offered this comment on Twitter:
@_groovy55 While we don’t know the source of this letter or the authenticity, obviously its content does not align… https://t.co/4H46YeAR6v— Penn State (@Penn State)1570493789.0
Hopefully the next generations of Penn State graduates will be less ignorant than those of the past.
@_groovy55 @SixPersistsBlue As a Penn State graduate from a long line of Penn Staters, I find this letter disgustin… https://t.co/FbQoEsouPJ— Elizabeth R. Bain (@Elizabeth R. Bain)1570506644.0
@_groovy55 Can’t because it is. Sorry that he received that. Forget the haters and keep playing otherwise they win.— Patrick Foulks (@Patrick Foulks)1570518033.0
Dreadlocks require maintenance. This Sunshane 6 Pieces Dreadlock Crochet Hook kit is available here.
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Have you listened to the first season of George Takei's podcast, 'Oh Myyy Pod!'?
In season one we explored the racially charged videos that have taken the internet by storm.
We're hard at work on season two so be sure to subscribe here so you don't miss it when it goes live.
Here's one of our favorite episodes from season one. Enjoy!