mizzou

I'd like to begin by stating that I think that respect for everyone is a noble goal. However, in recent events across campuses in the United States, it has not been pursued in a noble way.

I've learned to expect two responses whenever I tell people I attend Columbia. The first is that I was accepted because of Columbia's affirmative action policies and not on my own merit. The second is a more earnest query, something along the lines of, "How does someone like you bear going to a school like that?" These responses seem unrelated, but I believe they both speak to an entrenched idea about Columbia and other elite universities: These aren't places for people with marginalized identities.

I walked back from last Thursday's rally feeling impassioned. As black Columbia students we held the rally to express our solidarity with those at the University of Missouri and Yale University, and all those around the world involved in the struggle against institutional racism. Many students gave speeches detailing their personal struggles with racism, the ways in which Columbia operates as an institution of racism, and what these rallies mean in the larger context of black struggle. All of the speakers prepared well, showed bravery in sharing their stories, and brought up important topics, that I hope we will continue to discuss. I appreciate all those who spoke; moments like Thursday's rally make me proud to be both black and a Columbian.

In response to the recent events at the University of Missouri, the Columbia University College Democrats group has decided to change their original plans for their general body meeting tonight and to take a moment to respect the students on the Mizzou campus and the Columbia students who have been affected by the situation. The organization sent a blast email to their listserv stating: