Administrators, students need to prevent racism across college campuses
When overseeing a university, it is the responsibility of administrators to proactively and justly handle any situations that may arise.
After several instances of racism across campus, officials’ lack of action resulted in strikes, protests and resignations of two top administrator positions.
Another college in Ithaca, N.Y., also recently had officials resign over racial controversy.
The questions that remain from both of these controversies are what the colleges could have done to prevent violent repercussions, and what they can do to prevent future issues.
Even earlier dilemmas, such as one University of Alabama sorority recruitment video, reveal a widespread fight against increasing amounts of racism on college campuses.
We must take precautionary action to create racially inclusive environments at all colleges.
A zero-tolerance policy is not enough to combat college racism. The administrators who create these policies must implement them in ways that actually benefit those facing discrimination and punish perpetrators.
Instead of simply writing rules of conduct, officials need to take an active role in the student body to ensure students follow these rules. Officials must understand the dynamics, culture and habits of its students and not make assumptions.
Contrary to popular belief, no matter the geographic locations, all colleges experience racism.
According to one Harvard study, despite growing collegiate populations of women and minorities, subtle feelings of prejudice, or “micro-aggressions,” can hinder the well-being and academic performances of students.
These subtle comments and biases easily go unnoticed, but to avoid larger controversies, these discriminations must receive attention and consequences.
Similar to the Title IX training program, colleges should offer mandatory courses addressing the effects of prejudice and stereotyping. Also, separate offices specializing in diversity and inclusion should be established to act as places for students to report instances of racism and receive more information on the subject.
Students also need to take responsibility for their actions.
Once policies against racism are implemented, students must recognize these guidelines and adhere to them. They must remove the idea that pointing out racist comments will cause violence or go against the ideas of their social groups.
It is our duty as students to come forward and speak out against subtle acts of racism. Through our own awareness, we can hopefully prevent the larger issues from ever occurring so we don’t have to resort to larger protests and strikes.
The skills and ideas we learn now are capable of resonating with us on campus, in our hometowns and for years to come. We need to take the initiative and promote equality wherever we are, starting on campus.
If we cannot even control racism on college campuses, how will we ever tackle the racism problem plaguing our entire country?
The actions college administrators take speaks volumes to the rest of the country on its own policies and habits.
As students, we are setting examples for younger and older generations on how to act and behave in a culturally diverse society. The steps administrators and students take now will endure for years to come.
Schools are meant to be safe, inclusive environments for every student and faculty member. We cannot sit idly by and allow racism to have a place in our education.
