Bridge to arts, UCI
my campus is super pretty okay
Dominic Dickinson Official Statement
To: University of California, Irvine Administration, its affiliates, and the general public
My name is Dominic A. Dickinson and I am currently a first year at the University of California, Irvine. On January 18, 2013 the offenders by the name of Joseph Baek and Tracie Martinez committed an act of violence in the form of Racial Harassment. The Words “Nigger/Nigga” where said around me multiple times. I have asked both of the offenders to stop using the n word at one point, however it has continued for a whole quarter. As a result of this, I had to move out of my freshmen dorm in middle earth and have been tossed around by the UCI administration more than 30 times. I believe that every person regardless of gender, race, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation or disability should feel safe and comfortable wherever they choose to live because we all should get the same opportunity to succeed without any acts of discrimination. I, Dominic Dickinson believe that the UC Irvine Student Housing be held accountable because these incidents happen every single year and they refer to these racial harassment incidents as “rare”. During winter quarter, several black freshman students had to move out of their dorms in both the Mesa and Middle Earth communities. Often times, freshman students have nowhere to go because their RA’s (Resident Advisors) have limited training. Resident Advisors are hired to carry out Chancellor Michael Drake Pillars of Excellence (academic excellence, research excellence, leadership excellence and character excellence). If racial harassment incidents are happening every year in the housing communities than it is the housing staffs responsibility to reslove these issues.The housing staff says that they are “investigating” these incidents; however they are swept under the rug. In conclusion, I Dominic Dickinson will continue to work with the Black Student Union at UC Irvine to help end Anti Blackness incidents on the UC Irvine Campus.
Respectfully Signed,
Dominic Dickinson (05/19/13)
“While there is Racism, We will not Rest.” (UC Irvine Black Student Union 12-13)
There is soooo much that needs to be addressed and so much work to be done
Why isnt there a more politically/social issues minded south asian org on campus
UC Irvine Investigating "Go Back 2 Africa Slave" Note Slipped Under Freshman's Dorm Door - Orange County - News - Navel Gazing
WHY WHY WHY I AM SO DONE ARGH
Ugh. THIS is what’s meant by racism pushing students out of universities even if they manage to make it in in the first place. And this is what’s meant by “not an isolated incident.” (as in, just look at how much has happened in the past couple weeks) Anti-blackness is pervasive in the university (and society as a whole).
#AZW #UCI #thewallisback
FOR THOSE SUPPORTING UCI, JUST A REMINDER TO MAKE YOUR CALLS TOMORROW!
PLEASE!
As a sort of final jest before we begin meetings and debating over demands with the University, PLEASE flood our administration with calls of your support to prove that the BSU of UCI is not alone in our belief that antiBlack violence needs to be addressed!
One way we plan to begin this process (of addressing this violence) is through the attack of the institution itself. BSU is fighting for an official punitive policy to be in place for the next offense (because there will be another) of antiBlack violence that occurs on campus. We also are stemming our efforts into other UC schools in an attempt to really make some change. This is not for show! Our community is tired of having to constantly fight. As students who are supposed to be just as valued as our peers it is the University’s responsibility to create an environment that is SAFE.
Please use this information to do what you can!
The address for Student Affairs is:
Student Affairs 405 Aldrich Hall, UC Irvine CA 92697 taparham@uci.edu (949) 824-4804
The address for Chancellor Drake is:
Officer of the Chancellor, UC Irvine Irvine, CA 92697 chancellor@uci.edu (949) 824-5111
To see the original post:
http://thespeakingspook.tumblr.com/post/49292209101
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! THE UCI BLACK STUDENT UNION APPRECIATES YOU, AND I AS COCHAIR CANNOT BE MORE THANKFUL.
UCI Rally against campus antiBlackness
5/1/13
Thank you for everyone who came to support!
(via baritonepats)
The high schoolers who stopped to watch and learn about the rally give me hope. They clapped, too.
The current uci students who just walked by, on the other hand…
And the student who rolled by and yelled something (“so dramatic!” i think?) blughsianakaklk
UCI RALLY DETAILS!
for those interested!
who: the UC Irvine Black Student Union, those in solidarity, and allies
what: a rally!
when: TOMORROW, MAY 1ST 11-2
where: UC Irvine, on the anteater in front of Langston Library
why: overall, the rally is to continue to gain visibility of the antiBlack violence embedded into UCI culture, as well as society in general. this is to give Black students a VOICE after being silenced, ignored, and neglected for generations. this is also an opportunity for nonBlack individuals to learn about the experience of others.
how: in solidarity and as allies, please wear all Black! for Black students and non students, feel free to wear an instance of personal antiBlack violence or a message you would like to share in regards to antiBlack violence on your shirt for display
(EX: http://thespeakingspook.tumblr.com/post/48942442207). at the rally, BSU will provide a large wall where Black students and nonstudents will be able to post their various messages and stories, and there will also be a microphone where you can voice your message and sentiments to the UCI community.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO COME!
We appreciate everyones efforts and time, we know this is inconvenient for most people, but we would definitely appreciate the support!
Hope to see you there!
THIS IS THE CALL TO HELP BSU AT UCI!
TO THOSE ASKING WHAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP:
1) WE NEED LETTERS IN OUR (BSU) SUPPORT SENT TO UCI! We need everyone to write letters to either/both the UCI Student Affairs office and/or UCI Chancellor Michael Drake’s office demanding that action be taken in response to antiBlack violence that has occurred on campus. This is including, but not limited toDEMAND to see an official punitive policy in place for future transgressions against the Black community.
DEMAND to see the UCI African American Studies program fortified into a department.
DEMAND that UCI follow its established principles and truly enforce its zero-tolerance policy against discrimination and violence.
DEMAND that UCI take accountability for the mistreatment and neglect of its Black students!
The address for Student Affairs is:
Student Affairs 405 Aldrich Hall, UC Irvine CA 92697 taparham@uci.edu (949) 824-4804
The address for Chancellor Drake is:
Officer of the Chancellor, UC Irvine Irvine, CA 92697 chancellor@uci.edu (949) 824-51112) WE NEED BLACK SOLIDARITY! We need pictures of Black people wearing black shirts giving testimony via social media (such as FACEBOOK,TUMBLR, TWITTER, etc) about the antiBlackness of campus culture in general, not only within greek organizations. Remember, this doesn’t always look like outright hostility (blackface performances, professors saying racist things, nooses on trees, epithets on walls, etc). Sometimes it can even come in the form of a compliment, like, “You’re so much smarter than the rest of your people” or “I have a thing for Black women”— to mention some fairly common “compliments.” Feel free to begin your statement with: “Being Black at _____ means…”.
*Black non-students, we recognize our privilege of attending college and still encourage your participation by sharing your story and message in response to antiBlack violence! We need you too!*
(examples of pictures to post: http://thespeakingspook.tumblr.com/post/48942442207)3) FOR NONBLACK ALLIES! Spread the word about how antiBlack campus culture is. Please recognize that this movement is currently focused on antiBlack violence, so try to keep your privilege in mind and spend this time in dedication to the particular experience held within the Black body. Write letters to editors, blog posts, articles, UCI, wherever you can to create visibility! Keep your eyes open about how others are writing about the situation as well.
We want people to start talking about how antiBlack racism shows up as a lived reality in Black life everywhere and everyday. We appreciate everyone’s time and efforts with our cause, which we hope in turn will aid in the effect of everyone else’s lives.
While we encourage everyone to take part when convenient, WE ASK THAT EVERYONE COLLECTIVELY FLOOD UCI ADMIN (949-824-5111 and 949-824-4804) WITH CALLS AND EMAILS ON THIS FRIDAY, MAY 3RD! We recognize this is happening quickly and we have asked last minute, but we think this would complement the physical rally being held at UCI on Wednesday, May 1st.
