Tense Confrontation Between Black, White Students Over Dreadlocks Sparks Investigation

By Autumn Johnson and Renee Schiavone:

SAN FRANCISCO, CA: A tense confrontation between two San Francisco State University students over the right to wear dreadlocks has led to a criminal investigation at the college.

The argument, which was caught on camera by another student March 28, takes place in the Cesar Chavez Student Center and shows a black female student confronting and blocking a white male student whose hair is in dreadlocks. A YouTube posting of the verbal clash has already been viewed more than 3.6 million times.

“You’re saying I can’t have a hairstyle because of your culture?” a man, who has since been identified as 22-year-old Cory Goldstein says in the 46 second clip. “Why?”

“Because it’s my culture,” the woman says. “You know that it bothers me.”

The debate between the two quickly turns heated, and ends with the woman asking why she’s being filmed. She is then seen reaching for the camera, at which time the recording stops.

Goldstein told KRON 4 News he understands why the woman wanted to explain his hairstyle choice-- which he has worn for five years-- was “cultural appropriation,” but that it wasn’t done in a positive way. He told the news agency he would like to speak with her again, more calmly.

Meanwhile, university police are conducting an investigation into the incident, school officials confirm to Patch.

“When their investigation is done, they will forward any findings to the district attorney’s office,” SFSU Spokesman Jonathan Morales told Patch on Monday.

Last week, the school released the following statement:

We are aware of the video made of an incident which occurred on campus yesterday afternoon. University police were called to the scene of the incident when it occurred. The two individuals involved in the incident are not San Francisco State University employees. Further, no criminal charges have been pressed at this time to the University’s knowledge.

San Francisco State University promotes the rights of the campus community to engage in free speech, but does not condone behavior that impedes the safety or well-being of others. We are taking the matter seriously and will promptly and thoroughly investigate this incident through applicable University channels, including our campus student conduct procedures.

A report in the Washington Post suggests the video may have been staged, identifying cinematographer Bonnie "Bonita" Tindle as the woman shown during the altercation. However, university police officials are taking the incident seriously and say they are investigating it fully.

What do you think of the confrontation? Tell us in the comments.

(Image via YouTube)