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Real or perceived
To decide whether or not racism is a problem on campus at SCSU, consider the way that bias complaints are treated. The oft-repeated official statement that SCSU should be looking into "real or perceived" bias to see where these perceptions come from blames the victim. Implying that the problem may lie in faulty perceptions supports the stereotype of people of color with a chip on their shoulders, asking for special status.
In reality, racially-oppressed students are experts in our own oppression. Far from overreacting to imagined slights, we brave institutional racism on a daily basis. We learn the language of white intellectual supremacy and function as lone diplomats in ethnocentric classrooms. Students of color carry this daily burden, in addition to the ordinary challenge of college coursework. It is really only in our best interests to complain when our human dignity is threatened to such a degree that the environment is unbearably hostile.
SCSU claims to be taking steps to rebuild trust, but until school officials stop condescending minority students by labeling our perceptions suspect, there will be no change in the campus climate. SCSU must own its racist reputation and take responsibility for making real, not perceived, changes.
Linnea Hanson
Senior
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