Student group says racism, bias the norm for blacks on campus
Fighting Against Racial Injustice (FARI) formed to address
Taryn Thompson
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
"You basically wake up every morning wondering what you'll have to deal with for the rest of the day," Ray said. "Am I going to have to defend myself? Am I going to have to hear a derogatory term, discriminative toward black people, in a joking manner? Are people going to stare or frown at me?"
"As a bi-racial student," Neels added, "I feel like I don't know where I belong. I don't fit in with the black kids, but I don't fit in with the white kids."
Members of FARI feel supported by the administration, and claim that officials have generally been helpful and encouraging. Simultaneously, however, they feel as though Geneseo perpetuates discrimination against minorities through systematic racism. "I understand why Humanities is a part of our core requirement," Jones said, "and it's great - I love it. But eight credits? Eight? Why don't we have to learn about Latino Humanities, or Asian Humanities, or African Humanities?" he questioned. "We would like to see a more comprehensive, thorough collection of courses offered about African-Americans and black people," Kitson said. "In a history course that focuses on white achievements and white accomplishments, you aren't motivated. You aren't interested. We want to be able to take courses that focus on the black person instead of on the white person - that would keep my attention."
The students also feel that Geneseo as a community is not very welcoming. "White kids think we don't like to hang out with them, but it's not that," said Ray. "It's just that, when you arrive at a college where you'll be spending the next four years of your life and where the majority of the campus is white, you migrate toward people that are similar to you."
"You need to feel like you belong somewhere," added Jones. "So you spend time with people who understand you and with whom you can connect. But there are so few of us that you end up staying home on Friday nights. I go home to Rochester almost every weekend, just so that I can feel comfortable."
"As a bi-racial student," Neels added, "I feel like I don't know where I belong. I don't fit in with the black kids, but I don't fit in with the white kids."
Members of FARI feel supported by the administration, and claim that officials have generally been helpful and encouraging. Simultaneously, however, they feel as though Geneseo perpetuates discrimination against minorities through systematic racism. "I understand why Humanities is a part of our core requirement," Jones said, "and it's great - I love it. But eight credits? Eight? Why don't we have to learn about Latino Humanities, or Asian Humanities, or African Humanities?" he questioned. "We would like to see a more comprehensive, thorough collection of courses offered about African-Americans and black people," Kitson said. "In a history course that focuses on white achievements and white accomplishments, you aren't motivated. You aren't interested. We want to be able to take courses that focus on the black person instead of on the white person - that would keep my attention."
The students also feel that Geneseo as a community is not very welcoming. "White kids think we don't like to hang out with them, but it's not that," said Ray. "It's just that, when you arrive at a college where you'll be spending the next four years of your life and where the majority of the campus is white, you migrate toward people that are similar to you."
"You need to feel like you belong somewhere," added Jones. "So you spend time with people who understand you and with whom you can connect. But there are so few of us that you end up staying home on Friday nights. I go home to Rochester almost every weekend, just so that I can feel comfortable."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 19
Cynthia E. Carter
posted 4/29/07 @ 9:49 AM EST
My name is Cynthia Carter and I am Tarik Kitson's aunt. First let me start by saying that I think it is very sad and pathetic that we live in the 21st century and we are still fighting the "fears" of the "superior". (Continued…)
JWM
posted 4/30/07 @ 10:48 PM EST
This article reflects that a lack of sincerity and committment on behalf of the school's administration to diversity. There is major difference between diversity and affirmative action. (Continued…)
max
posted 5/03/07 @ 11:47 AM EST
Reading this article I must say that most of the allegations are nonsense. You claim "systematic racism" that is a very strong charge you better have lots of proof and facts . (Continued…)
cee
posted 5/05/07 @ 1:31 PM EST
WELL AS FAR AS THE LAST COMMENT, YOU MUST NOT GO HERE, BECAUSE IF YOU DID, YOU WOULD KNOW HOW RACIST THIS SCHOOL FROM THE ADMINISTRATION ON DOWN. ANY MANY OF THE OTHER SUNY SCHOOLS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING TODAY. (Continued…)
max
posted 5/06/07 @ 1:45 PM EST
Dear CEE
Is what your saying all SUNY schools are racist?
When you can't have a legitmate debate about racism. You call someone a racist.
cee
posted 5/06/07 @ 2:39 PM EST
Well, this whole country is racist...need not I remind everyone of Hurricane Katrina, and the aftermath.
Its sad that people still want to ignore that racism still exists. (Continued…)
max
posted 5/07/07 @ 10:54 AM EST
Need I remind you you that Mayor Nagin is black. Does he take any blame for not sending out busses to evacuate people. The hurricane is an act of God and we don't know what color he/she is. (Continued…)
max
posted 5/07/07 @ 2:54 PM EST
It should read an act of mother nature.
cee
posted 5/08/07 @ 5:51 PM EST
Well Nagin is black and the "hurricane" was white. Nagin didn't have enough resources to protect his people, and where was the federal government? yea. (Continued…)
KeeKee
posted 5/08/07 @ 6:27 PM EST
I agree with what Cee is saying. America is a racist place and people refuse to accept that. I mean not everyone is racist but there are racist out their. (Continued…)
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