‘Inexcusably Insensitive’

NYU Served Watermelon Water and Kool-Aid for Black History Month

The university president has apologized.

The president of New York University has apologized for an “inexcusably insensitive” menu that was created to honor Black History Month and included barbecue ribs, corn bread, collard greens, Kool-Aid, and watermelon-flavored water. The crass menu was flagged by sophomore Nia Harris, who shared the menu—and the initial dismissal of her complaints—in a Facebook post titled: “This is what it’s like to be a black student at New York University.” Within 24 hours, NYU President Andrew Hamilton posted an apology on the university website and blamed food-service provider Aramark, which has since suspended an employee. “We were shocked to learn of the drink and food choices that our food service provider—Aramark—offered at the Weinstein dining hall as part of Black History Month,” said Hamilton. “It was inexcusably insensitive.”