Ohio State University's American Indian Council was asked to remove a visual display from the ceiling of its cubicle in OSU's Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center. The flag of the American Indian Movement, an American flag with the image of a Native American superimposed over it, offended members of Afrikans Committed to Improving Our Nation, who said that the American flag was an affront to their culture. OSU Vice Provost for the Office of Minority Affairs David Williams, who is African-American himself, remarked, "It's not the flag; it's what the flag symbolizes. There is racism, discrimination and poverty that goes on in this country. If that is what the flag represents, then I have a problem with that." Williams said that nothing but artwork should be displayed in the Hale Center, because "that's what the center is for."

Williams went on to defend a new policy to regulate visual displays in the facility, for which he would not disclose details, on the grounds that the center in fact was not multicultural. "I never said it was a multicultural center. What I said was, it is a black culture center, but we embrace the cultures of other people." Williams said the university could have made one multicultural center from the very beginning, but it was too late to change it now. "People need to realize that at some point in time, the university made the decision to make a black cultural center for whatever reason. It is somewhat unfair to say 'OK, now it is a multi-cultural center.' "

The flag was later discovered to be missing from the center, and leaders of the American Indian Council filed a report with OSU Police. "I'm concerned just as well if something is taken from the center," said Larry Williamson, assistant director of the Hale Center. Williamson promised to assist the council in finding the flag and the person or persons who took it.

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