Representatives of several St. Michael's College campus groups put out a statement calling on the administration to respond to a pattern of what they say are racially motivated incidents
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Statement by coalition of St. Michael's College students
Representatives of several St. Michael's College campus groups put out a statement calling on the administration to respond to a pattern of what they say are racially motivated incidents
Representatives of several St. Michael's College campus groups put out a statement calling on the administration to respond to a pattern of what they say are racially motivated incidents
On Sunday December 4, 2016, while exiting the Center of Multicultural Affairs and Services (C.M.A.S), a student leader noticed the attached image outside of the Center. The image reads Make America Great Again. The intent behind this act is very clear. It is not just an act of free speech, it is targeted hate. These actions follow a very specific pattern with clear intentions. The longer our administration waits to recognize and respond to these attacks on our students of color, the more frequent they have become. Students on this campus have been called niggers, a female student was called an angry black bitch while working as an Apartment Community Advisor (A.C.A), in the computer lab a white female student played loudly a video titled why I hate black people while two black students worked in the lab, a Muslim student was asked why she was attending the late Father Mikes service in the Chapel, migrant Justice posters were defaced with swastikas, Trump 2016, and Make America White Again. We, the students of the C.M.A.S, are a part of an intercultural center for all American and international students. These are attacks on our home and our space, aimed towards those of us who are a part of our Saint Michaels College community. The Center is a driving force behind the following Campus programs and student-run clubs: Summer Orientation for Academic Excellence and Retention (S.O.A.R), Global Experience Academic Residential Program (G.E.A.R), Martin Luther King Jr. Society, Diversity Coalition, GirlTalk, and SMC1st. The Center also serves as a safe space for other clubs and groups to gather. Such groups include Common Ground, Fix It with Five, Student Labor Action Movement (S.L.A.M), Social Justice League, Christian Bible Study Youth Groups, and remains open to many other groups. We denounce all forms of racism, discrimination, bigotry, xenophobia, sexism, and any hateful acts towards individuals based on their sexual orientation, gender, gender-identity, immigration status, religion, and disability. The C.M.A.S is the only place on campus we feel welcomed and supported. These incidences are attacks on the inclusivity of our campus. Acts of intimidation and hatred have moved from the walls of the classroom and are now reaching outwards into the Center, inching closer and closer to folks of color. We refuse to be intimidated and targeted in our own community and in our home. We reject the silence and the message that silence sends to our students and the greater community of Saint Michaels College. We ask that the administration recognize and respond to the issues at hand. We demand accountability and active practice of inclusivity. In addition to the day-to-day microaggressions, there is a tremendous lack of transparency in the investigations of and response
to specific attacks on members of our community. This has left many
students, particularly those mentioned above, feeling scared, angry, and silenced. Saint Michaels College prides itself on providing a safe, welcoming, and tight knit community. However, the lack of urgency in responding to incidences of harassment and hate makes us question, where is our protection? Where is the administrations professed obligation to ensure that all students, faculty and staff experience a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment? The message is clear; we are not welcome. The members of this community, Melanie Castillo, Co- President of the Martin Luther King Jr. Society Manuela Yeboah, Co- President of the Martin Luther King Jr. Society Sadie Taylor, Vice President of the Diversity Coalition Benjamin Howland, Class of 2018 Carlos Villa, Treasurer of the Martin Luther King Jr. Society Deborah-Julie Katsuva, Co-VP Diversity Coalition Elias Dean, Class of 2017 Olivia Nestro, Class of 2018, member of S.L.A.M. Gabriella Elmoussaoui, SOAR Co-Coordinator/Team Member Deirdre McPhee, SOAR team member, Girl Talk Eboard Sydney Moran, Vice President of the Martin Luther King Jr. Society Jessie Clegg, SOAR Co-Coordinator/Team Member Alanna Moriarty, 17, Vice-President of Common Ground, SOAR Team Member Carolyn Leccese, 18, President of Diversity Coalition, GEAR housing Resident Assistant Jameria Davis, 19, Treasurer of Diversity Coalition Jacqueline Lalla, 17, Council Member of SMC 1st Tiffanie Katsuva, 19, Secretary of Diversity Coalition Lithza Miranda 19 GirlTalk Club Liaison Abigail Adams 19 SOAR Leader Keitsha Figueroa 21, Class of 2017 Amanda Greaves, Class of 2020 Queren Marte, SMC 1st Talia Lawrence, 19 GirlTalk Club Liaison Maria Rania, Social ambassador for GEAR program Dyanna Martin, Class of 20 Diego Calderon,Class of 20 Justin Javier Pagan, 17, President of Gaming Club Marissa Kelemen, SMC1st Nga Thi Nguyen 18, Secretary of Martin Luther King Jr. Society, ALANA OverKnight Coordinator, Resident Assistant for Ryan Hall Antoinette Smith, Class of 2017, Apartment Community Advisor Marie Salinas Class 2018, Resident Assistant, S.O.A.R. 2016 Coordinator Osrica McLean 18