We are in the middle of a movement for structural change
Why are we here? How did this happen?
The Earlham College (EC) Students Against Racism is a movement that sprung from the gathering between a few students of color in the fall semester of 2015, and more broadly, from the accumulative ripples of frustration and discontent harbored by students of color at the institution. Various grievances experienced by students of color include micro-aggressions with faculty and peers; incidents of blatant racism in numerous spaces on campus; exclusion, isolation and marginalization during off-campus programs, numerous instances of discrimination on campus, and an overall lack of administrational accountability in addressing these disturbing relations. As a community we are understanding these grievances and are compelled as students to organize against their continuation, these few dedicated students reached out to the broader student body to convene, forming the group: Earlham Concerned Students of Color.
Together, a group of 50-60 students met in the Cunningham Cultural Center to state their grievances. Problems emerged extensively within a sobering amount of Earlham departments, calling attention to the true depth of these concerns. From Res Life to Public Safety, Admissions to Student Life and Health Services, it was clear that students of color at Earlham had been collectively, and systematically mistreated. What was even more stark was the administration’s failure to address this maltreatment. After more meetings, including one with white student allies, there began plans for a walkout to show solidarity with students at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and other students of color nationwide suffering from campus racism. This walkout, which took place in November shortly before Fall break, began with students in all black forming a circle around the heart. With faculty personnel such as Laura Hutchison and Susan Lee present, the student leaders invited their peers to step into the circle and speak their grievances. And with an admirable amount of strength and courage, they did: turn by turn stepping forward to voice the various experiences they had had with racism at Earlham. After the gathering at the heart, the body of students marched throughout campus calling chants such as “No Justice, No Peace!” and “Black Lives Matter!” We marched to different buildings on campus including the President’s Office, Tyler Hall, Student Life, and the Dining Hall (where we formed a circle around the dining hall center and chanted in collection the protest chant by Assata Shakur: “It is our duty to fight for our freedom, it is our duty to win, we must love and support one another, we have nothing to lose but our chains.”) This walkout sparked concern among administration, though little response was publicly aired. After this original event, students began a series of regular meetings with students of color at its core, and white allies being invited to attend at specific intervals.
These meetings evolved into the formation of the EC Students Against Racism, who took up this work last semester and have continued it into the present. As of now, we find ourselves in the midst of a movement for structural change, which charges Earlham with the responsibility of ensuring accountability for its racist practices and our tactics have reflected this. Our mission statement reads,
Together, a group of 50-60 students met in the Cunningham Cultural Center to state their grievances. Problems emerged extensively within a sobering amount of Earlham departments, calling attention to the true depth of these concerns. From Res Life to Public Safety, Admissions to Student Life and Health Services, it was clear that students of color at Earlham had been collectively, and systematically mistreated. What was even more stark was the administration’s failure to address this maltreatment. After more meetings, including one with white student allies, there began plans for a walkout to show solidarity with students at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) and other students of color nationwide suffering from campus racism. This walkout, which took place in November shortly before Fall break, began with students in all black forming a circle around the heart. With faculty personnel such as Laura Hutchison and Susan Lee present, the student leaders invited their peers to step into the circle and speak their grievances. And with an admirable amount of strength and courage, they did: turn by turn stepping forward to voice the various experiences they had had with racism at Earlham. After the gathering at the heart, the body of students marched throughout campus calling chants such as “No Justice, No Peace!” and “Black Lives Matter!” We marched to different buildings on campus including the President’s Office, Tyler Hall, Student Life, and the Dining Hall (where we formed a circle around the dining hall center and chanted in collection the protest chant by Assata Shakur: “It is our duty to fight for our freedom, it is our duty to win, we must love and support one another, we have nothing to lose but our chains.”) This walkout sparked concern among administration, though little response was publicly aired. After this original event, students began a series of regular meetings with students of color at its core, and white allies being invited to attend at specific intervals.
These meetings evolved into the formation of the EC Students Against Racism, who took up this work last semester and have continued it into the present. As of now, we find ourselves in the midst of a movement for structural change, which charges Earlham with the responsibility of ensuring accountability for its racist practices and our tactics have reflected this. Our mission statement reads,
“We, the students of color at Earlham College, represent a movement against racial and structural injustices and stand for their immediate dismantlement. Earlham's founding Principles and Practices assert a responsibility to its students and it has not upheld its values to the students of color on campus. We, in solidarity with other organizations on campus, require that representation, communication and accountability be ensured at Earlham”.
The movement is necessary because structural oppression contradicts Earlham's fundamental values and commitments to diversity and inclusion, and respect for all persons. We also charge the institution with the responsibility of dismantling the flawed structures that set the pace for these racist practices, which neglect to hold persons responsible for their woeful perpetuation of white supremacy. We maintain our conviction that our college is an environment where students of color are less valued than their white peers. We strive to co-create better structures that counteract these patterns and make Earlham a place that all students can be proud to call their alma mater.
