The Disappointing Response To Racism At Scripps College
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Disappointing Response To Racism At Scripps College

The recent prejudice against a student was not a joke, but an act of violence.

191
The Disappointing Response To Racism At Scripps College
Butler County Times Gazette

Last Saturday, the Scripps student body was shocked to receive an email about a blatant act of racism perpetrated against a Mexican-American student. The student woke up that morning to discover someone had written “#trump2016” on the whiteboard affixed to her door. Given Trump’s outrageously anti-Mexican sentiments, this goes far beyond any kind of sick joke: it is an act of violence.

“Regardless of your political party,” SAS President Minjoo Kim writes in the email, “this intentional violence committed directly to a student of color proves to be another testament that racism continues to be an undeniable problem and alarming threat on our campuses”. Members of Cafe con Leche, Scripps’ Latinx club, graciously shared their thoughts with us on the incident.

Clarisse Salazar, a second year, said:

“One of the first thoughts I had was the fact that there’s gonna be all the people who aren’t going to understand that this was a racist act and aren’t gonna understand that this was an attack on a student. It was personal, it wasn’t random, and like people are free to believe in whatever candidate they want but victimizing and pinpointing certain students, that’s when it’s not okay and when it’s hurtful to that student and our community. I think about the people who don’t think that this was racist. There are people who don’t understand the chalkboard at Emory or this incident here. They don’t understand why it’s offensive and I can try to explain it to them but they just don’t get it. This is targeting my community and other students within my community. I’m really proud of Minjoo for having written the email to the student body and I really appreciate that, but I’m surprised that people were upset that the email was sent out and that Dean Johnson had to step in and validate the fact that this is offensive, that this is an issue. I think that one of the problems with that is that yes, we all take Core 1, and yes we all learn about this kind of violence, but it is so easy for privileged students to just go through Core and not really listen to what people are telling them and to not learn about what they especially should be learning. I think one thing that should happen is taking serious evaluation of the Core program and trying to think of ways in which those privileged students must engage with this violence and these systems, which I understand is extremely difficult and I don’t have an answer of how to fix this problem but I think a lot of people in administration will say, ‘Oh these students are educated, they took Core 1 and they know that wouldn’t happen here,’ but clearly what we are doing is not working and is not creating a safe space for marginalized students here. So for now the only thing I can rely on is on the communities we have set up here, especially Cafe Con Leche because they are the people I know I can rant to, who I know support me and will have my back when no one else understands why I think this is so offensive and racist.”

Just as Salazar described, many students did not understand that this was an act of violence and racism. After Kim sent out the email, there was a lot of backlash against her by students both in email and social media because they believed that it was an overreaction to a joke. However, the student who had the statement written on her whiteboard is reportedly an RA; because the RA’s tend to have information about themselves and their views posted outside their doors, it does not make sense to classify this as a random prank. The student was deliberately targeted; the attackers clearly knew who she was, or at least what she stood for. They purposely wrote on her billboard knowing both her identity and the racist things Trump has championed in his campaign. Having certain political views is one thing, but using them to deliberately attack and threaten a person is crossing the line.

Nancy Vigil, a first year said:

“I was really surprised to learn that so many Scripps students thought negatively of the incident and sent so many negative comments to Minjoo because Scripps advocates its Core which all first years are supposed to take. And, the lessons that are taught in Core clearly teach us about violence and how violence isn’t necessarily the type we always think of, that it can be more subtle. To think that Scripps students here don’t understand that and actively defend racist actions that are subtle makes me feel like there needs to be restructuring of our school. Starting with Core would be a good way in that we need to help students acknowledge the privilege that they have and to learn that not everyone experiences the world the way they do.”

In her private Q&A with a group of Scripps students, Roxane Gay discussed the incident and stated that if she was a Latinx student at this institution right now, she would not feel safe. She also described how people from marginalized groups are already so worn down from the comments and injustices they have faced all their lives; because their skins have already been thinned by societal oppression and power structures, incidents like this can serve as breaking points. A college should be a safe space for students. A safe space doesn’t mean that they should be coddled and protected from the world, but rather that they can simply be able to be respected. A safe space should provide an environment where students can speak up and voice their thoughts without the fear of being invalidated solely because of their identities. Another Scripps student, who wishes to stay anonymous, described her anger about the racist incident and how it has made her feel uncomfortable even in her own dorm, which is especially supposed to be a safe space.

She said:

“I was angry when I found out about it because it happened in my own dorm, so it’s a personal space... that is my temporary home. Because I personally know the student it’s very disheartening to hear, especially at an institution where we do talk about different issues, especially about racial issues, so for someone to think that this is okay to do... I was especially upset at the students who said that it was an overreaction because they don’t have an accurate way to measure the emotions of marginalized communities because I felt that the reaction was the best reaction she could give. She reported it, she documented it, and now the school is handling it. I’m really impressed with the way Scripps is handling it. I mean, obviously it did get away from them publicity-wise, but I’m really proud of the administration for sending out multiple emails, and especially the dean coming forth and saying that this is not an overreaction, that they are going to take this seriously and this is not a joke to this administration.”

This incident is analogous to the recent events at Emory University, where students of color were outraged by “Accept the inevitable: Trump 2016” chalk messages found around campus. Protests erupted, calling upon administration to denounce this act. More conservative students rallied for free speech and Emory President James Wagner chalked “Emory stands for free expression” in response to the protests. Despite this ongoing disagreement as to whether such an act is violence or simply the utilization of free speech, the incident at Scripps is an entirely separate issue. A Mexican student was specifically targeted, making this indisputably an act of racism.

The reported negative responses to Minjoo’s email by Scripps students are disheartening, especially because as a community, it is essential that we stand together to combat injustice. However, the current Core 1 curriculum needs revision so that it can teach students about privilege and allow the voices of people of color to be heard. Currently, not enough Scripps students are understanding violence and privilege in a real-life perspective. As Salazar and Vigil express, Core I explains different forms of violence: just because this student was not physically attacked does not mean it was not an act of racist violence. Until there is both more understanding and equality within our community, sufficient changes cannot occur.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

20957
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

948288
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

125105
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments