#ShawU and Fried Chicken

The above image was sent to the FRIENDS OF SHAW several weeks ago. A student was extremely upset that when he bit into his lunch, this is what he saw. We encouraged him to make a formal complaint. He told the supervisor of Thompson Hospitality, and his complaint went unaddressed. Then a complaint was sent to administration – and again, concerns went unanswered.

The GuideStar report lists one of Shaw’s largest contractors in 2004 as the Aramark Corporation who provided Food Services to Shaw at a yearly cost of $1,560,883. Today, with fewer students who offset inflationary trends, Thompson Hospitality (the current food services provider) commands over 2 million dollars per year for food services. Furthermore, outsourcing has plummeted Shaw’s personnel budget to around 30% while our infrastructure totters at the precipice.

But this isn’t what this article is about.

Today, #ShawU was the talk of the town internet. Not because of anything of any significant news about multi-million dollar grants or major development news concering the reopening of the student union- – but because of two female students who got into a fist fight on “Fried Chicken Wednesday” while waiting on line in the makeshift cafeteria. The following video was submitted to the ever popular website, WORLD STAR HIP HOP and was viewed over 135,000 times.

This video is being shared via twitter and facebook and has gone viral in a matter of seconds. Once again, THE WORLD is looking at Shaw University in a negative light.

Here are some of the comments we observed:

“so… we fight over who was in line first in the chicken line now?!?” -LuvLee Jonie

‘this is exactly how blacks end up killing each other when stuff like this escalates unnecessarily.” -johnnyboytellem

“it doesn’t make any sense that COLLEGE students are acting like this. and over some damn chicken? smh ” -SimplyComplex_87

As administration (AND ALUMNI) continues to turn a blind eye to the power of the internet, Shaw will continue to crumble.

At this point, it is important to realize that the future of Shaw University is TRULY in the hands of its alumni. Apparently, no one else cares about her future.

EDITED TO ADD: When we submitted this blog, the “Shaw U Chicken Fight” had 135,000 views. 2 hours later, the video now has over 166,000 views. Don’t think the internet is powerful? Think again. Bull$hit can travel faster than the speed of light. When will we be ready to take our school back?

4:20PM (EST) – 192,000 views

4:59PM (EST) – 200,000 views

6:28PM (EST) -215,000 views

11/9/11 -9:56AM (EST) – 293,000 views

11/9/11-8PM (EST) -331,000 views (video has been added to a popular radio station website in Greensboro, NC)