Racism at Marist: Addressing Racial Tension at Our Predominantly White Institution

“Beneath our formal trappings of democracy lies a long history of legal, race-based slavery and segregation, followed by a now-informal white supremacist regime in which white lives matter while Black ones don’t.” –– An excerpt from “Who Do You Serve, Who Do You Protect?” by Maya Schenwar.

This quote perfectly sums up the racial climate in the United States. As an African American woman growing up in these times, I have learned to take life day by day. You never know when you will wake up to a loved one dying at the hands of law enforcement; there is never a guarantee that I will return safely to my home simply because of the color of my skin. As I was applying to colleges, I made sure to select schools that were challenging the status quo of this racial climate. In my search, I found Marist College and was immediately drawn to their commitment to providing an environment that promotes and values academic learning, institutional and personal integrity, justice and equality. 

I am disappointed to say that I do not feel this way anymore. 

On May 31, just six days following the traumatic death of George Floyd, a post circulated displaying a member of the Marist community and the n-word on social media. This is not only insensitive following the racial tension in the country, but the person who created this post had no right whatsoever to use such harsh, discriminatory language in a joking matter. This blatant display of racism is extraordinarily harmful and disrespectful toward the black community. This is not the first time something of this nature has happened at this school, and on behalf of the African American student body, I demand that Marist tirelessly investigate this case and hold the student accountable. 

Source: Olivia Knox

Marist is a school known for its international students and students of color. As the college continues to attract more diverse students, it is unacceptable to keep quiet on such matters. Log on to the Marist website and you will see students of color, as a display of the college’s diversity. Not only is it disrespectful to use students of color as a marketing strategy, but it is even more disrespectful not to provide support when these students of color feel unsafe because of their own classmates. For the past few weeks, I have been reaching out to members of the Marist community, urging for some sort of advocacy or support to be shared. As Marist has not provided adequate responses, I took the matter into my own hands and reached out to other students of color. 

Marist’s students of color expressed to me how unsafe they feel in a predominantly white school, where hateful words are used not only on campus but on social media as well. They feel unheard and are constantly battling for their safety on campus. There have been several instances of racial biases on campus; for example, students of color have been profiled and asked to show their IDs while simply playing basketball. 

Brianna Morgan ‘20, the former Black Student Union vice president, said, “This not only leaves me in fear for my friends that are on campus but also for the future of Marist in regards to their push for more diversity. Issues as such must be addressed before considering bringing in students into such a harmful environment because it will not only leave a terrible impression on the college but also leave a traumatic mark on an individual's soul.”

Marist, it is time to consider the mental health impact your silence inflicts on your students of color. In these unprecedented times, there have been no efforts made by health and wellness counselors, at a time when trauma is mounting for our black students. We demand that this institution does better not only for the students of color, but for anyone on campus. We need to be informed of racial issues that are happening in this country and better educate the students who attend this college. 

It starts with having difficult conversations with faculty, staff, students and parents. Now is not the time for silence. As a Red Fox community, we need to uplift and come together to make a safer, unbiased community that welcomes all students regardless of their demographics, background or sexual orientation. As a way to reach this goal, Marist should hold this student accountable. This issue cannot be put on hold until the fall semester –– the time to speak is now. 

I hope that going forward Marist is more conscious and aware of the issues that their students are dealing with. Whether these issues are brought to light or not, there have been far too many. We, as the students of color, cannot and will not tolerate this going forward. Why is it solely the job of those oppressed to inform and educate others around them? Change needs to occur. 

Olivia Knox is a rising senior at Marist College from Long Island, N.Y. She majors in social work and minors in criminal justice and sociology.