Black San Francisco State student assaults white peer because he has dreadlocks

San Francisco State University has confirmed the authenticity of a cell phone video showing a black student angrily confronting and physically detaining a white classmate, accusing him of cultural appropriation for wearing dreadlocks.

The altercation is already underway as the video begins with a dreadlocked white student succinctly summing up the situation as he seeks to understand the reason he was confronted by a black female in a stairwell.

"You’re saying I can’t have a hairstyle because of your culture?" he asks incredulously. "Why?"

"Because it's my culture," she replies. "Do you know what dreadlocks mean?"

The man disputes her claim, contending that the hairstyle actually dates back to ancient Egypt, but eventually tires of the unproductive exchange and attempts to continue up the stairs. The woman at first blocks his path in an attempt to continue her demonstration, and when he succeeds in skirting around her, grabs his arm to prevent him from leaving.

When the man attempts to shake her off, she accuses him of "putting your hands on me," even as she continues to maintain her grip on his sleeve, but relents when she notices that the incident is being filmed.

"Why are you filming this," she asks the individual holding the camera, to which he replies, "for everyone's safety."

Initial reports suggested that the woman may have been a university employee, but SFSU news and media director Jonathan Morales told SFGate that both individuals are students in the process of confirming that the incident had taken place.

"We are aware of the video made of an incident which occurred on campus yesterday afternoon," Morales said. "University police were called to the scene of the incident when it occurred.

"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," he continued, saying, "we are taking the matter seriously and will promptly and thoroughly investigate this incident through applicable University channels, including our campus student conduct procedures."

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