Overcoming the past

UA students, administrators address racism

Among the challenges and opportunities of being an institution of higher education that’s been around for 147 years is the fact its been around 147 years. That can bring a lot of tradition and, frankly, a lot of baggage.

When we became aware recently that a white student at the University of Arkansas (est. 1871) had painted his face up in a distasteful attempt to mimic a black person, it was easy to assume the expansion of minds for which the college was founded had not yet taken hold on everyone.

This now- former UA student, who officials said “chose to depart voluntarily from the university” since the incident, posted a message on social media showing him in that ridiculous makeup and including the statement “I hope this offends someone.” Well, he got his wish.

Next thing you know, administrators at the UA are talking about establishing a student “diversity ambassadors” team. They’re working toward establishment of a UA Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Leadership Support Institute that could engage faculty as well as research, evaluate and make recommendations for campuses across the state. Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz told about 130 gathered at a student-organized event in the wake of the blackface incident that “perhaps the thing we must do is we have to step up the education that we do on this campus on this issue.”

Our reaction was not unlike the UA’s initially considered statement that was then reconsidered: It was “an individual’s attempt to incite … further hatred” that failed. It was one individual creating a repugnant message and image, so why all this reaction making it seem like a bigger issue?

Because, it is.

Despite decades of pushing for diversity on the campus in Fayetteville, the university’s numbers when it comes to black students aren’t inspirational at all. Black students make up about 4.6 percent — 1,268 — of all students. That’s a decline from just a couple of years ago, while other minority groups have seen an increase. The talk, and, we believe, the attitudes have been sincere, but the University of Arkansas, and Northwest Arkansas as a whole, still seem pretty lily white from the perspective of black people who consider moving here.

So, yes, what might seem an overreaction from the outside looking in is, in all likelihood, the proper reaction. The university, leaders in Northwest Arkansas and, importantly, people throughout the region must engage in some introspection to discern why more progress isn’t being made and why someone associated with the UA would get the idea such an awful social media post might find an audience.

The student-driven event was organized by the Black Students Association, the Associated Student Government and the National Pan-Hellenic Council, a collaborative of nine traditionally black fraternities and sororities. They did a service to the University of Arkansas campus by calling further attention to the damaging and hurtful nature of even one incident rooted in racism. Yes, just one.

Steinmetz, after the social media post was circulated, responded that the UA supports an inclusive community and a “diversity of people, ideas and perspectives.” He referred to those as “core values we share despite insensitivity displayed by any individual.”

One student said “everybody on this campus has seen some type of racism,” and she’s undoubtedly correct. It’s unfortunate that it exists at the UA and at campuses elsewhere, too. We’re making progress as a society, but it’s slow and it’s in need of constant refreshing.

One person can make a big positive difference, and one person can create a lot of damage. We appreciate the efforts among most at the university to be among the former when it comes to responding to the latter.

“I just want to make sure this is a priority on campus, this isn’t going to get swept under the rug and onto the next thing,” said student Brianna Griffin, 21.

Mission accomplished. For now.