What we all must do to address a racist culture

The St. Joe’s administration hosted a university sponsored forum on Nov. 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. The forum was held in response to the most recent racial bias incidents on campus.

The event began with remarks from Tom Brennan, Ph.D., S.J., English department chair, followed by an opening statement from University President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D., and a recap of the bias incidents by Cheryl McConnell, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs. McConnell then introduced student speakers from diversity organizations as well as faculty who spoke of their experiences of race and racism at St. Joe’s. Members of the Bias Activity Response Group continued the conversation by articulating the process of handling racial bias incidents and hate crimes. In the later half of the forum representatives from University Student Senate and two white professors spoke about their support for addressing racism at St. Joe’s. Reed then gave closing statements calling students to look around and empathize with each other.

When reflecting on the event as a whole, this was a decent start. It addressed surface level issues, because it was hinged on the most recent racial bias incidents that have been reported. There was factual information presented, along with firsthand accounts from members of the community that allowed some insight into their experiences and perspectives. It was a necessary preliminary action step.

However, approximately 1,800 people showed up at the forum. It was heartening to see the bleachers open up to fit more attendees, but on a larger scale, hardly half of the community showed up.

Moreover, this was supposed to be a forum that saw a large turnout. By definition, a forum is a place meant to exchange ideas and conversations. What happened on Nov. 4 was not a true forum, but rather a sanitized solution to addressing surface level issues. What happened on Nov. 4 was not a conversation, but rather a scripted response to act as a springboard for further action. It was simply an assembly to touch upon the surface of systemic issues regarding racial injustice.

There were many administrators who left immediately after the forum ended and did not make themselves readily available to speak with the community. The arena emptied as fast as it filled, and a majority of the audience simply followed the administration’s lead in leaving the venue.

Moreover, before the event, student leaders who spoke out were asked to send what they were preparing to say for revising and refining. If these students were comfortable enough to “share their truths,” according to McConnell, then they should not have needed to have an outside source quite literally editing their experiences.

There is a difference between sincerity and superficiality. We acknowledge students, staff, faculty members and administrative members who are actively seeking and pushing for true change and conversation. These seekers of racial social justice exist, and they were absolutely present at the forum. We saw them, and we heard them.

Unfortunately, there are still students, faculty members, staff and administration who remain passive and apathetic to our unjust campus culture. As many of the speakers said, “Silence is violence,” and being indifferent to these events does not make you neutral, it makes you just as active a participant in the culture of racism as those cited in bias incident reports.

These apathetic people are the very people that need these conversations and administrative interventions the most. It is on us who attended and participated in the forum to hear this call to action as it has been given time and time again, to take what we learn and put it to use.

This forum was imperfect, but it was a start. By no means is this an issue that will be solved overnight, but there are steps that need to be taken in order to address the issue, especially on the part of the white student body.

We have said it before, and we will say it again. Challenge your peers who think it is appropriate to use the n-word in conversation or use it because it is a lyric in a song. Moreover, recognize that microaggressions are not just saying the n-word, but are more subtle and understated comments and actions that are just as harmful.

Push back on those around you who argue they don’t need to attend discussions about racism, because, to them, “racism isn’t an issue.”

And hold everyone accountable at all levels. Administration, faculty and students are not exempt from racial ignorance and acts of racism.

So to the administration, you have room to grow in your approach to discussing racism on campus, but this was a necessary and thoughtful first step to addressing the campus culture. And to the student body: do better.

We showed strength in numbers at the campus assembly, so let us keep that momentum going. It would be a disservice to all members of this community to consider what happened on Nov. 4 a solution to addressing systemic injustices and microaggressions.

It is not the burden of marginalized groups to make the change, because the problem lies in privilege and whiteness. Let us heed the words of what we heard from administrators, faculty, staff and students and take action. Let us not suffer from burnt out activism. Change is possible, and it starts with us as a student body.

—The Editorial Board

This week’s Editorial Board is comprised of the Editor in Chief, Managing Editor, Senior Editor, Online Editor, Social Media Manager, Assistant Social Media Manager, Copy Chief, Copy Editors, Photo Editor, Features Editor, Assistant Features Editor, Opinions Editor and Assistant Opinions Editor. This editorial reflects the views of the Board and not the entire Hawk staff.