As we come up on the anniversary of Ford Hall, and my 21st birthday, I could think of no better time than now to publish this post. I publish this in homage to #FordHall2015, a 12 day sit-in held last year that included 13 demands for more acknowledgement and better treatment of black students on Brandeis’ campus. I did not previously publish this post out of fear, out of frustration, out of anger and confusion. As my own act of restorative justice, whether that be to my own black community, or to myself, I am glad to hold up to the words I wrote last year, and glad to have supported in whatever ways I could then, and in even more ways now. Here is to growth and lessons learned, to perseverance but still acknowledging the struggle. To strength not being the absence of weakness, but instead that realizing our weaknesses can be our greatest strength. Here is to being stronger and more proud, even in the face of all of the adversity of the world. To being unapologetically black.
"In an ideal world my blackness would not be ostracized as a disruption to my college community, yet blackness is just that, isn't it? It is an aberration, a deviation from the norm. Jarring. Shocking. Dark.
I was given this gift as a writer for a reason and it is through this gift that I must use my voice to speak. Many hands have covered my mouth, claiming that my words were too much, too soon.
I am writing this about my personal experience and the experience of many of my peers at Brandeis University. I do not write this to call Brandeis University a racist school or anything of the sort. I do not believe the institution seeks to breed such behavior. I do, however, acknowledge that whether or not Brandeis intends this, racism and microaggressions towards marginalized individuals exists on my college campus. I see in the media and after talking with my friends that this same behavior exists on other campuses as well. This is an issue. Racism is not a subjective matter. Racism is not a light-hearted topic. It is a serious institutional issue that needs to be eradicated.
While Brandeis preaches diversity, and while it is successful at this, we have asked if it will be successful at honoring the other words we all associate with Brandeis: social justice.
As a black woman and a black student at Brandeis University, I urge all to understand the true reason for the protests. It has not been without cause and not without purpose. The intent is purely that of wanting to uplift and raise the community as a whole.
I recall the first time I lamented to one of my peers about a racist experience at Brandeis and the nonchalance with which she responded, “Oh. Ashley had her first college racist experience.” This response appalled and confused me, especially as a freshman. I saw Brandeis as the school with the bright, welcoming admissions website and all of the subjects and clubs I was interested in. I also saw Brandeis as an advocate of “social justice” and “diversity”, “diversity”, “diversity”. When I arrived on campus I found myself thinking, “Seeing black people here is much too rare” to the point where the presence of a black face could not go ignored, and we'd pass one another with a warmheartedness, as if to say: I see you.
Yesterday, December 1, 2015 our president signed off on the list of demands and apologized to those who may have been personally affected, while simultaneously stating that he will look to make Brandeis a more inclusive space.
This sit-in was not an attempt to oppress any members of our community but instead a call to action on the behalf of this University. Brandeis' motto is, "Truth, even Unto its innermost parts". Truth into the fact that social justice resonates as more than a statement and demands action. Uplifting the marginalized uplifts us all.
Many universities are undergoing the same protests and addressing the same concerns. This issue is not only prevalent at Brandeis.
While meeting all of our demands as students of color will take time to institute, we ask now for action instead of mere reconstructed words and phrases. Instead of acknowledging and making space for the needs of black students and other students of color, needs are often swept under the rug and negotiated. Our concerns and demands are not unreasonable and are all too necessary. It burdens my heart to have watched my peers and myself have to go to such extreme lengths and emotional turmoil to be heard. I am hoping that the decision to meet our demands is executed and put to actual action, instead of simply being negotiations and signatures on a piece of paper.
I stand in solidarity with the Concerned Students at Brandeis University who protect and honor Black Lives and thank you.
#FordHall2015 #ConcernedStudents2015”
More diversity and inclusion efforts have been made on campus since #FordHall2015, especially with the implementation of the University Ombuds, diversity training for faculty and staff, pushing for representation of students and faculty of color, and providing safe, inclusive spaces for students of diverse backgrounds. And while this work has begun, it is nowhere near being finished.
I still and always will stand in solidarity with the Concerned Students at Brandeis University who protect and honor Black Lives and thank you.
Be easy.
