Racism and Indiana University

Indiana University is in the midst of troubling acts of racist retrenchment. What is wrong with this picture? Yes, a backsliding into racism at that Indiana University, the one with a flagship campus in Bloomington, Indiana, and regional campuses around the state. Yes, the I.U. that has been shaped by commitments to diversity and inclusion. Tes, the one shaped by the likes of Herman B Wells and persons of academic excellence, integrity, faith and civic pride over the decades.

The great comprehensive university where notable Black alumni, students, faculty and staff are so multiple, it is too challenging to begin a list here. These are a few of the thousands of I.U. greats. In my personal experience, I have been blessed by friendships with folks like Joseph Taylor, LaVerta Terry, James Holland, David Baker, Vi Taliarerro, William McKinney, Camilla Williams, Charlie Nelms, and on and on the list goes.

It is unbelievable to those who know the historic commitments of this school. This racist retrenchments has resulted in the elimination of resources for students of underrepresented groups as well as critical support for faculty and staff. The actions challenge I.U.’s remarkable, historic legacy as a place where all are welcome and offered the opportunity to thrive. In recent months the following actions have taken place:

1. The awarding of scholarships designated for specific students based on ethnicity or sexual orientation have been “paused.”

2. Websites and campus materials have been scrubbed of words and phrases related to diversity or programs seeking racial understanding.

3. Posters around campus with the words “Build a Community Where All Belong” have been removed from bulletin boards and public spaces.

4. Names of programs or offices that provide services or support for underrepresented students are being removed or painted over or removed.  The sign OVPDEI (Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) has been painted over and left blank. Programs housed in this now unidentified building include Groups Scholars, FASE Mentoring, Twenty First Century Scholars and Hudson-Holland Scholars. Will all cultural centers face such identity-theft and censure, while programs that serve virtually all White programs and services go unchanged!

5. The essential core of academic freedom is being tested.  Faculty face threats to their course materials over the use of language and/or ideas that call for the addressing of systemic or institutional racism.

We, the students, alumni, faculty and staff and friends of Indiana University, demand that on all its campuses, Indiana University STOP this retrenchment of White Racism being treated as normative.  We demand that a commitment to the welcoming of ALL immediately be restored no matter race, class, creed or sexual orientation.