Last semester, a staff and faculty led discussion on race sparked a lot of discussion among students. The results of the Student Climate Survey, student-led discussion Addressing Race Relations on Rhodes Campus, and the BSA Town Hall closely followed. Every year we have discussion regarding race. The faces and stories are new, but the underlying issue is still there. From the BSA Town Hall, I was able to truly understand how and why students are tired of these discussions. In all events, racial profiling was brought up and was identified as a growing concern. Racial profiling is a problem outside of the gates, we know that. However, I don't think that students were aware that racial profiling on Rhodes campus is as big a problem is it today. Students in the discussion addressed that Campus Safety isn't the only one groups that profiles as experiences of profiling extended to students as well. One of the most disheartening testimonies expressed at the discussion was that of one first year student (black male) who recounted the 3 times that he was questioned by Campus Safety regarding his activity on campus. As a Rhodes student, he showed his Rhodes ID and on one occasion even pointed to the Rhodes shirt he was wearing. This student's story was the first testimony shared, that evening. It was powerful and it facilitated other students to speak up. Students of all races were present at the event but not all voices were heard. There was an under-representation of international students present which is a voice I feel is continuously under-represented. The goal for the evening was to share experiences of race on campus. While only 2hrs were allotted to the event, many felt the need to stay longer. Throughout the evening some demands were made and there was a brief discussion at the end of the night. Some demands and concerns were expressed, but not concrete goals were made.
As many students at the BSA Town Hall voiced, there is talk, but no action.
As a member of the student-led discussion on race, I am eager to see what students are interested in doing and actions the student body is willing to take in order to move on from discussion into action. I have my own ideas and demands and I am also interested in others' opinions as to what should be other demands. Because I do agree. Discussions have taken place. To a certain extend we have aired our grievances and now it is time to act. I'm also interested in the response not only from the administration but from students that are unaware of race relations experienced by Rhodes students.
Memphians part of the South Main Trolley Night arrests outside K'PreSha boutique partnered with Memphis United to create a series of events which included a Town Hall, march, cypher outside City Hall, and music event to recap the day's actions. The S Main arrests and events and coalitions created afterwards show the determination that Memphians have towards not only discussing profiling but actions and steps to address this in the city. As a student interested in addressing race relations on Rhodes campus I am interested in seeing how both issues unfold in months to come.
Article on South Main cypher arrests:
http://www.memphisflyer.com/CallingtheBluff/archives/2013/10/30/knowledge-nick-speaks-on-trolley-night-cypher-incident
Cypher outside City Hall as part of a Memphis United action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGfP8YrGJ9E
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