Today there was a letter to the editor in the Exponent(which I by chance happened to pick up) concerning racism and the sparse representation of Blacks at Purdue. I have had this conversation many times over and at one point I came up with a list of some things that we might do in terms of tackling the problem of racism and the lack of a true spirit of diversity at Purdue(we will see what happens with the new president- a woman of color). In my response to someone else, this is what I came up with:
In regards to what we can do concretely, I think we need to firstly remain firm in challenging and confronting racism where we find it. In terms of specific actions however, I think
1. We should write articles about our thoughts and feelings concerning racism at Purdue and submit them to publications that would be sympathetic to our cause(not the journal and courier or the exponent--I mean ebony, essence, Chronicle of Higher education, The Black Scholar,etc....)
2. Write Letters about our observations concerning Purdue's falsity in its appearance as diverse(little representation of indigenous minority ethnic groups--where are the native americans?)
3. Urge student groups on this campus(take your pick--POLE, which ever ones) to take up the issue of racism and the racist atmosphere on this campus.
4. VOCALIZE it to death
5. Establish contacts with civil rights organizations and other black student and community groups around the country and especially at other universities.
6. Establish a body here at Purdue where Black students--and for tha matter other students of color can voice concerns and report racist incidents and develop a group to keep track of it and investigate and advocate if neccesary.
Also, study the history of this place and the racial legacy that is left here.
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