@BeingBlackatSCU Highlights Instances of Racism on SCU’s Campus
University-focused Instagram amplifies the lived experience of Santa Clara’s Black community
Many factors have made the recent civil rights movement unique, not the least of which is the role that social media has played in it. One specific trend is the creation of Instagram accounts dedicated to sharing Black experiences of racism in educational institutions, especially at predominantly white universities such as Santa Clara.
In late August, the Instagram account @beingblackatscu was created to give a platform to the outpouring of Black Santa Clara community members sharing times they’ve experienced anti-Black racism at the university.
Today, the account has over a thousand followers and has shared 17 accounts of racist incidents. The account includes a Google Form where students can write in with the option to remain anonymous, an option most of the submissions have chosen.
“We aim to center and elevate the realities of our Black broncos as much as possible,” the account’s mission statement reads. “We want to demonstrate how the narrative of ‘Claradise’ has excluded our Black students.”
The account exposes the overwhelming range of racist threats to Back students at Santa Clara coming from Campus Safety, peers and professors.
In one post, a student wrote in that they were continually harassed by the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) and Campus Safety throughout their four years at the university. Even after showing their access card, they were accused on multiple occasions of it being fake.
Black students also shared the various attacks they faced in social settings while trying to enjoy downtime with their white classmates.
A submission reads, “at a pregame my first year I was caught in an argument of two white girls debating how black I ‘actually’ was”.
Another incident includes a Black student being harassed at a party to display their student ID to prove they attended Santa Clara.
“We have to try and prove to people who never cared about us being there in the first place that we belong there,” the anonymous author shared.
These incidents don’t stop behind closed doors but are hosted in classrooms as well. One student recalls being accused by a white peer for “taking the space from an obviously more qualified white student from being at the University” for asking a question in an introductory economics class.
Notably, of the 17 incidents written on the account, six were caused by professors of the university. One professor is reported to have approached a Black student after class to defend the merits of cultural appropriation. They explained, “I was so embarrassed as a freshman to be singled out and confronted about HER problematic opinions.”
One of the more concerning abuses of power involves long term harassment. One student describes asking for an extension for an essay on the basis that they were struggling to find transportation home to see their sick mother. The professor called the student’s family to say the student had been lying to get an extension, and after receiving the paper, gave this student a D.
When the student eventually inquired about the low grade, the professor called them a liar and proceeded to sexually assault them. The professor declared that nothing would happen to him because he was tenured and loved in his department. He was right.
Even after filing three Title IX reports and reaching out to the head of the Political Science Department, the student received no response according to the post.
Furthermore, the account participates in the advocacy and uplifting of Black members of the university community. The account shared the four demands of the Black faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences following the harassment of Dr. Morgan and her family by Campus Safety.
Additionally, the account shares the answers to their prompt, “What is something that got you through your time at SCU?” Answers include supportive communities like Together for Ladies of Color, sports teams, the Ethnic Studies Department and taking classes with BIPOC students and professors.
@beingblackatscu points out that many different people causing this racial trauma are part of beloved groups on campus, pointing out the vast extent to which racism exists in Santa Clara’s many subcommunities. This includes organizations like the Men's Soccer team, Political Science department and Student Ambassadors.
None of these groups have publicly addressed or apologized for the content featured on this account.
Update 10/14/2020: Addendum from Margaret Russell, Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion
At Santa Clara University, no work is more important than our efforts to create a safe, inclusive and welcoming campus where all are respected and valued. Like many members of our community, we have read these stories and are deeply troubled by the experiences of some of our current and former students.
The allegations listed in the article are disturbing. The University strongly condemns any act of discrimination, microaggression, harassment or assault. We are committed to investigating all incidents when such allegations are made. It is unacceptable for any member of our community to feel unsafe.
The University has comprehensive resources available for members of our community who need support. We encourage our community to use Ethicspoint, which has an anonymous reporting option online or by dialing toll-free 1-888-552-8060. We recognize the need for meaningful change and are committed to working tirelessly to achieve it.
Update 10/19/2020: Inclusion of letter to the editor from Kate Morris, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
At Santa Clara University, no work is more important than our efforts to create a safe, inclusive and welcoming campus where all are respected and valued. I, like many members of our community, am deeply troubled by stories of discrimination and harassment that have been shared recently by some of our current and former students.
As the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, it is my responsibility to work closely with the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office to address and respond to incidents of alleged discrimination and harassment involving faculty.
I have been following the posts on the Instagram account @BeingBlackatSCU and am grateful to those who have shared their experiences. I want to make sure that every member of our community knows that Santa Clara University has comprehensive resources and support services available for anyone who experiences racial bias or sexual misconduct. We have multiple channels for students, faculty, staff and others to report such incidents, anonymously if they choose. And, we have clear protocols in place to ensure that all reports are followed up on promptly, investigated thoroughly and fairly and that disciplinary or corrective action is taken when appropriate.
The allegation of sexual assault by a faculty member that was conveyed through @BeingBlackatSCU was particularly concerning. The Provost’s Office, Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office and the Department of Political Science have searched through records going back five years and have found no complaint lodged of an alleged sexual assault by a Political Science professor. I urge the anonymous poster to please report this incident, so the University can look into this specific allegation.
We are committed to investigating all allegations. This online form provides students, staff, faculty, visitors, parents/guardians or others with a 24/7 channel to report concerns related to any alleged incident(s) of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment (including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and sexual exploitation), or retaliation. For those who would like to make an anonymous report, Ethicspoint is available online or via a toll-free telephone option (1-888-552-8060). You may also reach me directly at the Office of the Provost: provost@scu.edu.
We are committed to your safety and to ensuring a secure, inclusive and respectful campus for everyone at SCU.
Update 10/19/2020: Removed a line of editorializing which had no attribution.