#theirate8

I always want to put a spotlight on young entrepreneurs and particularly with recent racial tensions and lack of representation I really wanted to focus on supporting young black men and women. Who better than to start with Brittany Bibb?  I have been so moved and impressed by her and her social activism that I wanted to give her a little space to present her campaign across different media…

Today, University of Cincinnati’s President Santa Ono issued a statement condemning the “racially charged” comments directed at Black student activists, #theIRATE8. The racist comments were triggered by the group’s release of ten demands to the university.  These demands derive from a history of  anti Black racism on campus, further exposed by the off campus murder of Sam Dubose by former UCPD officer, Ray Tensing. The administration's swift condemnation to these online comments vastly differs in juxtaposition to its milquetoast reply to The Irate8’s demands for comprehensive racial justice.

The 21 pages of well examined demands command that the university provide the structural, cultural, and political resources necessary to begin alleviating the impact of racism. Accompanied by statistics, articles, and other reinforcing analytical tools, the few white Bearcats who bothered to read the demands at all, were dismissive at best, and downright hostile at worst. Select white allies attempted to garner the sympathies of their peers, however it wasn’t until a Yik Yak comment alluding to the lynching of Black activists appealed to the sensibilities of the UC administration and white moderates. Declarations of folks who claim to stand with The Irate 8 have increased. While this “support” bandwagon does indicate some level of racial progress, I insist that documented hate speech should not be a requirement to validate the urgency of addressing racism.

Decrying the usage of racial epithets and other visual cues of racism is  important, nonetheless repeated practice of ending advocacy there,  is morally politically, and collectively insufficient. Of course UC isn’t alone in this regard. Around the country predominately white institutions perpetually fail to address racism and it’s impact on Black students and other students of color . Perhaps that is because true condemnation of racist behavior requires a commitment to undoing racism in all of its iterations. This entails actively plotting against systems built solely for the benefits of whites. It concurrently requires a commitment of white people to educate fellow white folk on how their unchecked behaviors perpetuate inequity. It seems that the collegiate litmus test for showing up in mass opposition of campus racism, requires bigotry to be  written, recorded, or photographed to be taken seriously. If this standard remains, then students of color who suffer daily under racist tyranny will remain marginalized by the same institutions that purport to “empower” them. That is until students like The Irate 8 pressure institutions to show up.  Addressing disparities in recruitment, retention, and graduation rates, access to position of power etc.  is what looks what showing up for Black students looks like.  So  my question is, where is University of Cincinnati ?

- Christina D. Brown, UC A&S 2010 

Dedicated to Dr. Terry Kershaw, Rest In Power

Photo Credit: AACRC