Anti-blackness is a predatory evil. There is no tangible way to understand the perspective of those who hate “us” and actively consume the meat of such an oppressive structure every day. However, anti-blackness does not always manifest itself in the form of overt racism. Anti-blackness can manifest itself in a cross-burning, the confederate flag flying or even the yelling of the n-word within the earshot of a black person. Other times, it can be harder to maneuver and process and can be ingrained into the very foundation of our institutions. More covertly, anti-blackness can manifest itself through targeting black and latinx men in drug testings on campus, the lack of black leadership and faculty and the acceptance of sponsorship from donors who do not care to promote ideals of diversity and inclusion on our campus.
Because racism is so deeply embedded in our culture, we cannot assume that those who benefit from a powerful system of privilege built on race will somehow learn to see or even want to see inequity and institutionalized systems of racism overnight. People often don’t know or even have the knowledge to see that they are benefitting from privilege.
So, what can be done? The first step is to recognize how anti-blackness plays out on our campuses and to identify the diverse needs of our students. The next step is to understand how history plays a role in today’s grievances; therefore, because racism did not infiltrate our institutions overnight, neither will liberation happen overnight. Finally, the last step is for students to recognize that our voices are powerful and that we can move the mountains of oppression in our educational institutions. As William Faulkner once said, “Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice. If people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth.” There is a light at the end of this tunnel; we simply have to walk through it.