The Yale Police Department is currently investigating an incident of racially charged graffiti at 81 Wall Street, where the African American Studies department is based. The words “Race War Now” were discovered on Thursday written in marker in a second floor bathroom according to an Oct. 11 email from department chair Jonathan Holloway to members of the African American Studies department. Holloway characterized the act as “racially offensive.”

“From the experiences I’ve garnered through living on campus for most of the last decade I believe that this will be a one-time act of stupidity,” Holloway said. He thanked the department for their support and alertness, adding that the incident “reminds me—again—that in this allegedly post-racial age we all still have work to do.”

The facilities department has since removed the graffiti.

Holloway said in his email that the building has not been properly locked at the end of each day, which may have been how the offender gained access. Although he said that facilities should have resolved the issue, Holloway encouraged anyone who notices that the card reader’s light is green to let him know.

President Salovey and Holloway also sent a joint email on the morning of Oct. 11 to faculty in the Af-Am Studies Department informing them of the incident.

“The sentiment expressed is repugnant, and antithetical to our university’s values and beliefs. As we look forward to an inauguration weekend that celebrates all of Yale in its great diversity, we must be mindful of the fact that to threaten or demean even one member of our community threatens and demeans all of us,” the email said.

Salovey encouraged any who have information about the incident to call 203-432-4400.