An Open Letter to #Concernedstudent1950,

What happens to a dream deferred?

    Does it dry up

    like a raisin in the sun?

    Or fester like a sore—

    And then run?

    Does it stink like rotten meat?

    Or crust and sugar over—

    like a syrupy sweet?

    Maybe it just sags

    like a heavy load.

    Or does it explode?

                 

-Langston Hughes

It is enraging to watch the tears flow from your beautiful brown eyes down your melanated cheeks onto cracked pavement stained with the tears of Black students from 50 years passed- but again, not surprising.

We are not shocked by the very little progress that has been made, knowing these institutions were not made in our image, understanding at the deepest level that we were never meant to survive. Yet, still, here you are and here we are in our classrooms, offices, bowed heads, shaking voices, uncertain of what true freedom and liberation looks like in a system never made for us, but recognizing this aint it.

You are the risk takers, freedom fighters, liberationist steeped in the tradition of Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, Nina Simone, Bayard Rustin, Marsha P. Johnson, Ella Baker and Malcolm X. Your activism is something that can be paralleled to San Francisco State University or the University of California-Berkeley in the 1960’s. You are not the first, yet you are timely. We need no numerical evidence, facts or figures to confirm for us your truth. We believe you. We, across the nation have watched you stand together, heard your cries, and see in you a reflection of many of the struggles we endured and many of the fights we lost. We continue to endure. And we continue to fight.

We celebrate with you when you are victorious and seek to remind you that there is still work to be done. The institutional structure that refuses to see us is perpetuated by more than the leadership at the top, but by the silent well-meaning people around us. We hope that you see what your fire can burn with some thought, risk, and passion. You are strong and mighty despite the heel at your neck. You are the ascendants of black struggle and black excellence. You are the product of bodies that survived. You must continue to push finding paths undiscovered and uncovering ones that have been buried. We need you to know that you are not alone. We hope that you see what your fire can burn. We need you to know that you have re-ignited our flames. We now have the energy to push harder, fight tougher, and move more strategically.

We give you our strength, courage, resilience, and support as you endure the racism, erasure, and dehumanization brought forth by those who seek your continued subordination. We love you. We see you. We support you. And thank you!

We are Black administrators at institutions of higher education and we stand in solidarity with you.

Bulaong Ramiz, Wesleyan University

Cody Charles, University of Kansas

Oprah Jrenal, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Candice Brooks, University of Kansas

Monica Rochon, University of South Florida

L. Wesley Harris Jr., Iowa State University

Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins, California State University, Long Beach

Ivy Smith, Binghamton University

Joseph Ballard II, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Brittany M. Williams, The University of Georgia

Ernest C. Evans, University of Maryland Baltimore County

Jamie Minor, Columbus State

John Blue, Bethune-Cookman University

Oronne C. Nwaneri, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Amber M. White, Fort Hays State University

Kriston Burroughs, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Tashiana Bryant, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Kimberly Hodges, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Bie A. Aweh, University of California, Berkeley

Leah Burgess, Georgetown University

Terrance Myatt, Bethel University

Rhema Lewis, State University of New York-College at Plattsburgh

Erica Gardner, Central Connecticut State University

Ian Prescott, Le Moyne College

Latoya Fitzpatrick, Missouri Western State University

Leah Young, University of Delaware

Rodney Bates, University of Oklahoma

Nequel Burwell, University of Tennessee

Genia Paige Wilson, Western Kentucky University

Brandon Gaddy, North Central State College

Kerry Foxx, Rochester Institute of Technology

Jerad Green, Truman State University

Robert King, University of Illinois

Richard A. Wallace, Washington State University

Ashlee Roberts, University of Missouri-St. Louis

Justin R. Smith, Nova Southeastern University

Leighia Fleming, University of San Francisco

Dr. TaJuan Wilson, Missouri State University

DeLores Allison, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Jonathan W. Solomon, Wayne State University

Tekita Bankhead, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Jason Brooks, Emporia State University

Brittany Harris, University of Pennsylvania

Sienna Abdulahad, Virgina Tech

Alisia Kirkwood, California State University, Fullerton

Quintin Veasley, Georgetown University

Ashlee M. Hill, Mississippi University for Women

Jasmin Lee, Michigan State University

Latonia Garrett, Wayne State University

Jameelah Jones, University of Kansas

Kenny Jones, University of Pennsylvania

Shakeer Abdullah, University of Minnesota

Sadé Abraham, New York University Abu Dhabi

Tiphani Dixon, University of Missouri

Denise Jones, Drexel University

Chris Lewis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Mareo L. Hendrickson, Houston Community College

Daryn Moore, Nova Southeastern University 

DeJuan Mitchell, Marietta College

Emerald Green, San Jose State University

Dr. Lamar Hylton, University of Minnesota

Russell L. Bouyer, University of North Texas

Sade Jean-Jacques, Quinnipiac University

Robert Brown, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Lanita Sledge, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Bethany Bledsoe, Old Dominion University

MarcQus Wright, Grand Valley State University

Chris Boldon, Florida Atlantic University

Varselles Cummings, Texas A&M University

Asa L. Mack, University of West Georgia

Carol Bennett, Truman State University

Bretticca Moody, Missouri State University

Laura Hamilton, University of Illinois

Jari Minnett, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Hailey Mangrum, Western Michigan University

Justin Childs, University of Florida

Junior Pena, Florida State University 

Wanda D. Tyler, University of New Haven

Krystal Andrews, Bowie State University

Seth Ellis II, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Hailey Mangrum, Western Michigan University

Bianca Lambert, Clemson University

DeOnte Brown, Clemson University

Brittany Jackson, North Carolina Central University

Roxanne Plummer, Capital Community College

Nikia Bryant, Trinity College

Jerry Staples, Southern Methodist University

Raven McClinon, Grand Valley State University

Jamal Myrick, University of California-Riverside

Jamie Bolar, University of Missouri-St. Louis

Carol Taylor-Shim, University of Kentucky

Brittany Henry, California State University, Fullerton

Briana Dinkins, University of South Carolina-Columbia

Rechard Peel, Grand Valley State University

Jay Davis, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Chinell Singletary, Clemson University

Valencia Edochie, Texas A&M University

Jordan Nation, Florida State University

Tion Taylor, Tulane University

Carolyn Eastlin, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Jasmine Prince, University of South Florida

Courtland James, Rutgers University

Nathan Stephens, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Tierney Bates, University of Louisville

Derrick Robinson, Indiana State University

LaVonya Bennett, University of Oklahoma

Michelle Leeper, Ward, Salem College

Tony King, Saint Louis University

Stevie Johnson, University of Central Oklahoma

Joshua C. Moore, Texas A&M University-Commerce

Keywuan Caulk, Rutgers University

Ashleigh Taylor, Northern Virginia Community College

Tamika Austin, SUNY at Oswego

Tamarah Dixon, Missouri State University

Tevin Noel, Southern University at New Orleans

Lauren Whiteman, University of Oklahoma

Rory G. James, Indiana University Bloomington

Dalenesia Kendrick, University of Oklahoma

Alan Jones, University of Kansas

Daphney R. Wells, Mississippi Valley State University

Precious Porras, University of Kansas

Valissa Thomas, University of San Francisco

Shawnte Elbert, IUPUI

Jay Smiley, University of Kansas

Tyeesha Wesley, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Amma Margo, Emmanuel College

Domonique Crosby, Washington University St. Louis

Brian J. Cousin, Rutgers University

Franklin Soares, University of Central Florida

Sunni Soloman, University of Baltimore

Querida Lugo, West Chesterfield University

Camille Clark, University of Kansas

Fnann Keflezighi, California State University, Fullerton

Walter P. Parrish III, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Aleidra Allen, Saint Louis University

Ashley Gray, Washington University
Brian Hamilton, University of Louisville
Valerie Thompson, University of Oklahoma
Tiara Marshall, Colorado State University
Zachary E. Shirley, Texas A&M University-Commerce
Ashley Gray Benson, North Central State College
Martia King, Purdue University
Chris Graham, Florida State University
Nadia Campbell, UNC Charlotte
Michelle Guobadia, UNC Charlotte
Robert Clay, Governors State University
Jimmie Jones, University of Kentucky
Terrance Harris, Stetson University
Chris Presley, Washington University in St. Louis
Dylan Wilkes, Clemson University
Darren Jones, Morehouse College
Amber Buck, University of Minnesota
Allison M. Smith, Louisiana State University 
John Miller IV, North Carolina State University 
Asha Nettles, Sonoma State University 
Demetrius Gary, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Tanisha King-Taylor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Alexandria White, University of Mississippi
Mauriell Amechi, University of Minnesota
Jade M. Turner, University of California Irvine
Krystal Lee, Morgan State University Jamila Lee-Johnson, University of Wisconsin
Dallawrence Dean, The University of Texas at Austin
Ashley Chaney, Michigan State University 
Carol Ben-Davies, Purdue University 
Jasmine Channel, Missouri Southern State University
Christian Williams, Florida State University 
Kirby R. Gibson, Syracuse University 
Karyn Dyer, Syracuse University 
Erin Satterwhite, Florida State University 
Hope Young, Florida State University
Jamie Boussicot, Wheelock College
Ayanna Wheeler, CUNY Hostos Community College
Tyrone Wise, University of the Pacific
Quiana Stone, DePaul University 
Jennifer Brad, Loyola University Maryland
Joy Hartfield, University of Wisconsin Madison 
Dana Bozeman, Loyola University of Chicago
Dexter L. Overall, University of Michigan Dearborn
Star Page Lengas
Kevin C. Hawkins Jr., Northwest  Missouri State University 
Brent Lewis, Fayetteville State University
Ashley L. Smith, University of Wisconsin Madison 
Karla Foster, University of Wisconsin Madison 
Jasmine Clay, University of Michigan
Roshaunda Breeden, NC State University 
Habiba Braimah, Brandeis University 
D'Andrea Young, Texas Tech University 
Geovani Ayala, University System of Maryland
Veronica Moore, Temple University 
Quortne R. Hutchings, Loyola University Chicago
Nicole J. Johnson, Virgina Tech 
Jarrell Anderson, University of North Carolina Charlotte 
Cassie Stegall, Oklahoma City University 
Relando Thompkins-Jones, The University of Oklahoma
May Jordan, Columbus State
Morgan Ridgell, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
James Stukes, East Tennessee State University 
Brandon Brown, Old Dominion University 
Kenneth Gilliam, Old Dominion University 
Michael Akeem Riley, DePaul University 
Jordan W. Brooks, Georgia Southern University 
Kayla Tyson-Young, Emory University 
Allynn Delaney, University of North Texas
Dawn Morgan, North Carolina State University 
Jabal M. Moss, Bethune-Cookman University 
Berengére Gallion, Virgina Commonwealth University 
P.J. Jones, University of Florida 
LaNita Weisenberger, Clemson University 
Dellareese T. Jackson, Syracuse University 
Niecy Riley, Loyola University Chicago 
Sydney Epps, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Arizona 
Jonathan F. Adam, The Ohio State University 
Lindsay D. Echols, Indiana University-Bloomington 
Phillip E. Simmons, University of North Florida 
Wimer Alberto, Arizona State University 
Robert T. Palmer, Howard University 
Jason J. Dorsette, Oregon State University 
Amanda McKnight, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro 
Jamie R. Riley, University of California Berkeley 
Reesie Holsey, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill 
Atiya McGhee, University of Vermont 

Stream of Consciousness: Inspired by Moral Monday CT & Watkinson School

In 2007 I was attending Watkinson School, a private school on Bloomfield Avenue off of Albany Avenue. It was my senior year; I was in photography and working on a project for the spring semester. My project was titled “Socioeconomic Disparities on Albany Avenue” and I took photos of Albany Ave down in the north end of Hartford all the way up going towards Bishops Corner, towards the mountain where predominately white wealthy people live. I took a picture of a church in the north end that was in an old house juxtaposed to the synagogue, I took a picture of some of the houses and some of the people; the disparities were obvious, the wealth was obvious and the poverty was too. I put these photos on a poster and hung it up in a building at Watkinson along with projects from other students in the class.

Not shortly after, a few students came back from their spring break trip to Ghana and did an all school presentation on their time there. It became very clear to me that these white students standing before me at this all school meeting, had no understanding of unconscious racism, stereotypes or their perpetuation of it because in this presentation they made remarks that were offensive, ignorant, and preventable through identity work, social justice education and cultural competency. That happened on a Friday, on Monday I came in and stood before the entire school with a few other black people who found the presentation offensive. One by one almost every person of color came down and stood with us before we began to speak. We named unconscious racism that existed (exists) on our campus and how we needed to address it. I didn’t mention the Ghana trip/presentation specifically but it was implied. I remember quoting Marianne Williamson, I remember feeling free from fear or judgement

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

The next day, well the day of, but really the next day I started to receive backlash. I arrived to school on Tuesday a few minutes late, outside was my mentor, as I walked in she told me that people were upset. One of the teachers wanted me to take my photo project down, now remember this poster had been up for a while already. This teacher felt like my project exploring socioeconomic disparities on Albany Avenue was offensive. That she went to that synagogue and her family bought a house in that area and they worked hard, they didn’t contribute to the state of black people in the North end of Hartford. What I didn’t have then that I have now is language and an understanding of what that reaction was.

That was the reaction of a fragile uninformed white person. That was the reaction of someone who had not reconciled that being a “well-intentioned” good person doesn’t mean that you also don’t perpetuate systems of oppression. That was the reaction of someone who, I assume, had no understanding of how they operate in a system that continues to disenfranchise poor black and brown communities and instead spews ideology that if you just work hard you too could live on this side of the neighborhood. This was a teacher who was elevated in this school system as an authority, as someone who was supposed to give me knowledge and information and instead tried to silence me and erase my community and my reality from the walls of the institution, literally.

Their complete lack of understanding, and their complete unawareness told me that this battle was far more difficult- this wasn’t just about a bunch of uneducated, uninformed 17 year olds, I was operating in a system where even the people who were supposed to be teaching me had no awareness of their own position in a system of white supremacy and privilege and how deeply that was tied to socioeconomic disparities. That they could be so audacious to request that I take down a project that I was doing to educate a community that was completely unaware and uninformed about anything having to do with whiteness and anything having to do with their history in this country and how they got to where they are, how they got to live in the beautiful mansions down the street from the governor.

Even if your family immigrated here and was not around during the enslavement of black people or the genocide of indigenous peoples of the United States, you STILL benefit from the atrocities committed against black and brown people in this country. Why do you not understand that? I know why, because no one ever taught you that, because you went to Eurocentric schools that taught you that your ancestors immigrated here, struggled, but worked really hard and voila! You made it. That your great great great grandmother had a factory job and saved all her pennies, or your great grandfather went to war and then used the GI bill to go back to school, or how they saved up to buy a house in a suburb and that’s how your family became stable and comfortable. You hear all these stories and all of these truths without ever being told who was blocked out from accessing all of those benefits and opportunities: who was unable to access housing, who was unable to access resourced educational systems, who was unable to access transportation to get to and from a job, who was unable to access a job in the first place. Because my great great great grandmother was blocked out, yours was able to access opportunities. That is not to say that white folks didn’t work hard but that is to say that your hard work alone is not responsible for the accumulation of white wealth and success.**

**Might I suggest you skip that morning coffee or happy hour drink and purchase:  
“Racial Formation inthe United States from the 1960s to the 1990s” by Omi & Winant.

Yesterday, people from my tribe, radical activists, clergy, friends, blocked that beloved intersection, Bloomfield Ave and Albany Ave. Yesterday, people were arrested for standing against status quo and white supremacy. Just a couple blocks away from my high school, a couple blocks away from where people attempted to silence me, there were people in the street saying that my life mattered, there were people in the street with signs reminiscent of that photo project I had up 8 years ago. Yesterday, white children were at a standstill on their school bus, forced outside of their bubble, while parents commented on the Hartford Courant article to spew ignorance and hatred about how stupid this is, how they despise the interruption and that this is no way to get a message across.

If you aren’t with us, you are against us. In your silence, in your willful ignorance, in your hateful Facebook (unasked for) commentary you are against us. And all I have to say to that is: 

everything is not about you.