Update on the Anti-Racism Coalition's Progress
Since the Anti-Racism Coalition published our Grievances and Demands, we have seen the conversation regarding racial inequity at Wofford College become more public-facing with the emergence of the @blackatwofford Instagram account and several news reports:
On July 9, partly responding to the student coalition’s demands, as well as content posted by hundreds of Wofford alums, former faculty and staff, and current students, faculty, and staff on @blackatwofford, President Samhat released a comprehensive new diversity vision plan to address the history of racial tension at Wofford. The President’s plan, called A Vision for Wofford in the World, includes a plan for a new Steering Committee to help Wofford become “a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive home to all”. A list of immediate goals is listed, including some of our demands as well as some that the college has already been working on. The Anti-Racism Coalition was not consulted in the process of forming this new plan.
On July 15th, the Wofford Anti-Racism Coalition, along with the President’s Cabinet and other students met to discuss our Grievances and Demands and President Samhat’s vision. We asked what weight the new steering committee will hold, and the reasoning behind the demands that were chosen to be completed by the end of this school year.
Those on the call included:
President’s Cabinet:
President Nayef Samhat
David M. Beacham, Senior Vice President for Administration / Secretary to Board of Trustees
Roberta Bigger, Vice President and Dean of Students
Jo Ann Brasington, Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Christopher L. Gardner, Chief Financial Officer
Richard A. Johnson, Director of Athletics
Dr. Michael J. Sosulski, Provost
Brand R. Stille, Vice President for Enrollment
Dr. David S. Wood, Senior Vice President for Advancement
Students:
Andrew Reynolds, Student Body President
Dylan Goshorn, Student Body Vice President
Tyrus Peoples, Student Body Treasurer
Ellis Goodwin, President of Wofford Men of Color
During the meeting, we asked specific questions regarding Wofford’s plan of action and the goals of the new Steering Committee. We asked what this committee could accomplish that the recently-disbanded Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion couldn’t. The new Steering Committee seems to be the school’s main channel for recommendations regarding change on campus. By February 2021, this committee will present its findings and final recommendations to the administration. Dr. Samhat said that he expects the committee to be transparent in its work.
The Anti-Racism Coalition appreciates any genuine efforts for anti-racism work at Wofford. While the college has founded the new Steering Committee, we know that this is not enough. The actions that we are seeking are not being implemented. We understand that progress takes time, however, the same conversations have taken place on campus without any tangible results. Wofford continues to perpetuate the falsehood that there is full administrative and institutional support for our ideas. However, when we, as students, provide a detailed description of the clear inequities and racist acts that occur within the Wofford Bubble, we are met with resistance or an overall lack of gumption.
President Samhat, the President’s Cabinet, and the Board of Trustees have failed to do the bare minimum by acknowledging that Wofford College continues to perpetuate institutional racism and thus the trauma of BIPOC students. It is impossible to address a problem without first acknowledging it and taking responsibility for it.
At this time, we ask that you sign our petition to Rename Buildings Glorifying Slaveholders at Wofford College and share it with your network. If you would like to hear about more ways to support the Wofford Anti-Racism Coalition and BIPOC students, we ask that you reach out to us by email.
Sincerely,
The Wofford Anti-Racism Coalition
Bali Channa ‘20
Bryson Coleman ‘21
Omar K. Elmore ‘20
Jurnee Jones ‘21
Margaret Roach ‘21
Destiny Shippy ‘22
Naya Taylor ‘21
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