Racism That Smiles
#BlackBruinsMatter #ConcernedStudent1950 #RhodesMustFall #RacistBruin
Today over 500 UCLA students, staff, and faculty came out in solidarity for Black students at Mizzou. Truth be told, we came out for Mizzou, but we also came out for us and our campus, to speak against the anti-Black violence that is persistent here, as well as at every university across the country. This show of solidarity was the result of less than 20 hours of organizing, showing that folks are ready and waiting to move.
Students, faculty, organizers, and a lone administrator each took turns speaking to the crowd (valiantly defended by UCPD escorts wearing tactical gear, mounted on bicycles). Perhaps one of the most profound aspects of the walkout was the overwhelming participation of diverse People of Color, about half of whom were Black students. The walkout’s demographics reveal the effects of racist admission policies, but also the great solidarity among students and faculty of Color.
PRAISE
The Afrikan Student Union, Black transfer students, and Black graduate students - They did amazing organizing work to get this massive action put together so quickly. They spoke passionately about the needs of the precarious Black community on campus and the gross failure of the UCLA administration to provide material resources alleviating the consequences of structural racism.
Dr. Peter Hudson - He gave a powerful analysis of the racist state of universities today. He challenged us to resist the trivialization of anti-Black violence and structural racism.
We at the offices of the Racist Bruin know that administrative responses are not enough. In fact, the administration is putting a blackface on white supremacy. They are silencing the trauma of white supremacy through smiling administrators of all colors promising they’ll do better next time, but knowing they lack the collective guts to do anything transformative.
SHADE
Dr. Vickie Mays - We know your heart is in the right place. This is from love. But stop it. You told us to hold you accountable, so that is what we’ll do. The demands from ASU have been publicly available for weeks now. What has the Academic Senate done to secure the demands at the highest levels? We have publicized how faculty members like Gabriel Piterberg, Raul Hinojosa, and Val Rust have jeopordized campus climate for years. They’ve been called out publicly and reported to the university. What is the academic senate doing right now?
You made it sound like students aren’t demanding change, but we have been for decades. This isn’t a lack of insurgency from the students. This is a lack of urgency from the administration, including the Academic Senate that you chair. Vickie, we love and need you as an ally. But we also need you to keep it real.
Police - Kick rocks.
ASU’S DEMANDS
Below are ASU’s list of demands that the administration has not met:
Annual funding for Black student Programming on and off campus. The Afrikan Student Union is one of the largest student organizations, yet, there is no operating budget, and we have to beg the university for every dollar we receive. An annual budget of what it costs to run an effective Black community will be presented to UCLA administration.
A UCLA Anti-discrimination policy. It is a shame that discriminatory and racist incidents continue to happen on campus, and those responsible do not face any repercussions. An anti-discrimination policy would outline exactly what discriminatory behavior looks like, and what the consequences are when such a policy is violated. Professor Sander broke no policy, the Kanye Western party broke no policy. This is unacceptable.
A $30 million dollar endowment to help support Black students financially, akin to the initiative that is being implemented at UC Berkeley. Many Black students must work 2-3 jobs in order to pay for the continuing rising costs of education. Funding is one of the reasons why many Black students do not apply to UCLA, and also a hindrance to many that are accepted. For a University that is as “diverse” as UCLA, something must be done to make sure that Black students are financially secure.
A commitment to the hiring of more Black faculty across the different academic disciplines. With a rise in Black faculty members, the university will see a rise in Black graduate students. Many Black graduate and undergraduate students have experienced racist sentiments from their respective departments. It will also undoubtedly lead to an increased retention rate for Black students, and other students of color.
Rebranding the Afrikan Diaspora Floor with Residential Life. Black students lack spaces where they feel safe and comfortable. The Afrikan Diaspora floor is a way for us to connect more to other Black students, the Afrikan Student Union, and the Afro-Am department. The floor should be branded as a safe space for all Black students.
The creation and support of a UCLA Afro-house. Many Black students cannot afford to live in westwood with the high prices of rent. An Afro-house would provide a cheaper alternative housing solution for Black students, that would also serve as a safe space for Black Bruins to congregate and learn from each other.
Create a student advisory board for the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Equity Diversity and Inclusion. This will make sure students are able to hold UCLA administration accountable, and also work with administration in their charge to improve campus climate.
Provide additional funding for the hiring of an additional Black admission officer to increase the amount of Black students applying and being accepted to UCLA. The University should also provide additional funding to the access programs on campus targeting Black students and students of color. These programs include SHAPE (Students Heightening Academic Performance through Education), VIPs, and EAOP.
Create a UCLA community schools in a predominately Black Area of Los Angeles. Black Students are one of the smallest populations at UCLA, and the university should be doing all it can to reach out to them. Currently community schools are 80% Latino and 14% Asian. UCLA should be focusing on its smallest populations of Black and American Indian students.
Creation of a Black Student Leadership Task Force, comprised of Black alumni, students, Faculty, and Staff. Black student leaders are some of the hardest working people on campus, and lack institutionalized support from other members of the campus community would make Black student leaders have higher retention rate, and more training.