Racial Tension Has Swept Mizzou

Racial Tension Has Swept Mizzou

UPDATED November 11: 8:30 am:

   Tuesday night University of Missouri’s campus was threatened by a an anonymous post on Yik Yak reading, “Some of you are alright. Don’t go to campus tomorrow.” The post was spread, and students and staff became alarmed.

   “I saw the screenshots on Twitter, which students were tweeting to Chancellor Loftin, MUPD and Mizzou, asking for immediate action. While authorities were investigating, there were reports of individuals shouting racial slurs and rants in the middle of campus. Many were tweeting that anyone on campus should get home immediately,” current MU student and Liberty North class of 2014 graduate Kylie Callura said.

University authorities  state they were aware of the threats.

“Even from afar, it’s a terrifying situation. To know that someone would want to harm members of the Mizzou family, it’s disheartening and disappointing. Many students’ classes have been canceled as a precaution and professors are expressing their concern for keeping students’ safe,” Callura said.

Wednesday morning, university police say they apprehended a suspect who allegedly posted threats on social media.

UPDATED November 10: 3:00 pm:

Shortly after the president of the University of Missouri system resigned on Monday, the chancellor, R. Bowen Loftin, announced he would be stepping down as well. This was in response to the efforts of students protesting over race relations on campus. Deans of nine colleges had held meetings with Wolfe concerning Loftin. See the chain of events in this USA today article here. 

“As a faculty member it has been frustrating over the years that MU has not done much to retain and recruit diverse faculty.  I personally have worked on committees to do this and after we make recommendations nothing has happened. MU administration should have talked with the students of 1950 sooner than later,” Anna Romero, Associate Professor in MU’s School of Journalism, said. 

These efforts have been happening for a while, but recently picked up steam. 

“The homecoming issue was what led to the downfall of the administration.  Also, the MU football team’s action is what really did it.  MU reacted to the potential loss of more than $1 million.  I don’t think the President and Chancellor would have acted if not for the threat that the team would not play,” Romero said.

Columbian-Missouri article on the situation here

UPDATED November 9: 2:00 pm:

   Monday morning, The University of Missouri system president, Tim Wolfe, resigns. He has been faced with protests by African American students, a hunger strike by a student, and faculty threatening to walkout and a strike by football players. 

Kansas City Star video

 “I am proud of the actions of the actions of Jonathan Butler, ConcernedStudent1950, and the football team. It took great courage and boldness to be stand up for something they believe in. These students used non-violent means through their status and position to push societal progress and change,” University of Missouri graduate and Special Services teacher Zach Osborne said.

Wolfe made the announcement of his resignation at a special Board of Curators meeting Monday morning. His resignation was favored by the board.

“It makes me sad to think that such dramatic actions must take place at Mizzou for students and administration to come together to discuss the issues of systemic racism that plague society and the school that I attended,” Osborne said.

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Original Story: Sunday, November 8: 10 pm

   On Saturday, November 7,  black football players at University of Missouri joined thoughts regarding recent race tensions  on campus and tweeted through the LBC’s account, “The athletes of color on the University of Missouri football team truly believe “Injustice Anywhere is a threat to Justice Everywhere. We will no longer participate in any football related activities until President Tim Wolfe resigns or is removed due to his negligence toward marginalized students’ experience.” The team has their next football game against Brigham Young University on November 14th. Head coach Gary Pinkel tweeted a photo of the team, both black and whites, standing arm in arm with a message, “The Mizzou Family stands as one. We are united. We are behind our players.”

  The football boycott along with social media has captured the nation’s attention.

   “I think whether you agree with it or not, it’s effective and going to work…Now that so many people are showing support, the football team will probably keep protesting until something is done,”LNHS class of 2014 graduate and current MU student Nick Jenness said.

The problems all started on  September 11 when African American Payton Head, the Missouri Students Association’s president, was racially abused while walking through campus in Colombia Missouri. He writes on Facebook, “Last night as I walking through campus, some guys riding on the back of a pickup truck decided that it would be okay to continuously scream N—- at me. I really just want to know why my simple existence is such a threat to society.”

   The African American population of MU was frustrated with the university chancellor R. Bowen Loftin, as it took him a week to respond to the incident. Rallies were organized in defense of Head and other black students who had experienced similar hate within the campus.

  “I think the Mizzou administration fails to fully understand the issues going on and what their ramifications are, so I definitely think making a statement a week late was a bad move and caused tensions to rise,” junior Brynne Davis said.

A week later on October 5, Legion of Black Collegians (LBC) members were rehearsing for a play when an intoxicated white male called them “n—-s””. The university responded promptly with Loftin publishing a statement condemning the incidents. “We support free speech in the context of learning, spirited inquiry and intellectual discussion, but acts of bias and discrimination will not be tolerated at Mizzou,” Loftin wrote. The white student was identified and “moved from campus,” reports the university.

11 students interrupted Mizzou’s homecoming parade by surrounding University of Missouri system President, Tim Wolfe’s convertible. The students shouted at the president and his wife saying, “We will be here until we are heard and our people are protected and they feel safe on this campus.” The Columbia Police moved the students out of the way and the parade went on with this message ringing in the ears of bystanders along with Wolfe.

Mizzou’s racial tensions flared again two weeks later when an unidentified person drew a swastika with feces on a communal bathroom wall.

Incidents like recent have been happening for a long period of time on the campus.

“When I was a freshman at Mizzou, there was an incident of students spreading cotton balls in front of the Black Culture Center. Even then I did not really understand or consider the impact of acts like this. My own privilege and experiences had never really prepared me for these issues we face today. It breaks my heart to read the reports of continuing incidents of racism and intimidation that have occurred on campus.  This is racism and bigotry that has no place in our society,” University of Missouri graduate and current Special Services teacher Zach Osborne said.

Students begin to blame Wolfe for the hate crimes, and racial tension on campus. Jonathan Butler, 25 , has gone on a hunger strike saying, “he will only eat when Wolfe is gone and the university takes other steps to address racism on campus,” reports The Washington Post.

“I am not sure what the best course of action is, but I have been concerned by the comments and inaction of Mr. Wolfe and Chancellor Loftin. These students are taking bold action and accepting personal risk for what they believe in, and I think that it is important that we listen to them and learn from people that are different than us,” Osborne said.

  Not everyone is in agreement with pressuring Wolfe to resign.

 “I haven’t experienced any tension. Most of the people I have talked to don’t think he should have to resign. He can’t control every individual, there just doesn’t seem to be anything he could have done to prevent the things that have happened,”Jenness said. 

With a student body of over 35,400, not all have felt affected by the racial issues on campus.

“I haven’t seen it. It’s a very tiny percentage of the whole student body that is causing these problems. As a whole Missouri is not racist, but I can’t say that every individual in the school is a good person,” Jenness said.

However enough of the student body has turned on the administration of the university and is protesting on mass scales against the racism at MU.

  “The football boycott has brought national attention to the campus’ incidents. With all eyes on the situation at hand people are forming their own opinions and predicting what’s to come, ” I also think this type of conflict is extremely uncomfortable for us as a society, but that this is not something we should hide from or brush aside, but bring into the light. My hope is that the university can be open minded with Concerned Student 1950 and work towards making our campus a better place where all students feel welcome,” Osborne said.