Within the first weeks of November, racial tensions and protests at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri have sparked a plethora of campuses across the nation to re-examine the safety, policy and quality of protection for African American and other minority student groups.
In between the racial slurs hurled at Mizzou’s student body president and an all black student organization during homecoming, racial tensions on the college’s campus reached an all time high. Thirty of Mizzou’s football players announced they were going on strike unless the Mizzou’s system president, Tim Wolfe, stepped down from his position.
When Wolfe finally announced his resignation on Nov. 9, death threats were sent out to black students via YikYak and other social media platforms, resulting in cancelled classes and investigations by campus and local police departments.
With UT’s game against the Mizzou Tigers only weeks away, it’s no surprise that two student groups snatched the opportunity to take a stand, quite literally, “In Solidarity” with Mizzou’s student activists after the response from law enforcement left much to be desired.
Over 600 miles away in Knoxville, the all-black student organization, Culture Shock, planned an art showcase and “blackout” rally alongside Big Orange Big Cure, a group that raises awareness for disabled students and issues on campus.
Showcase and rally organizer Drost Kokoye said the events at Mizzou are more than relevant for the future of diversity initiatives on UT’s campus, citing the Tennessee General Assembly’s senatorial meeting which questioned the finances spent on diversity programs.
If the state’s legislators were to cut the budget by 2.5 million dollars, Kokoye stressed the dire consequences for minority students at UT.
“The programs they’d be taking from are programs that allow us to create these safe spaces where we can, as students, be ourselves,” Kokoye said. “It’s one of the only places we can be ourselves on a campus where we don’t feel welcome or safe because the institutions were not designed for us.”
Held in Hollingsworth Auditorium, the pre-rally art gallery reflected Kokoye’s ideas of individuality and oppression as a variety of portrait and painting styles lined the room. Poetry readings, focusing on the lives of student of color were also incorporated into the event as a jazz band accompanied the lively lyrics and comments from the rally attendees.
Sophia Goodwin, sophomore in studio art, was one student who was invited to display her work at the showcase. For Goodwin, the justice-based showcase is a benefit to all students.
“I wish that this happened more on campus,” Goodwin said. “It feels like there’s a niche of people pushing for student diversity, but there’s not a lot of involvement in the entirety of the student body. I think, though, that Culture Shock is really helping the movement gain momentum.”
Ty Murray, junior in Public Relations and Culture Shock member, said these “safe places” are, as Goodwin stated, vital for all students to better recognize and accept diversity on campus.
“It’s important to see that you’re not the only person feeling how you feel,” Murray said. “A lot of times in society we’re conditioned to feel a certain way, and as minorities we already have an unpopular and unrepresented opinion.”
Murray also emphasize that the events at Mizzou could occur on just as quickly if a campus doesn’t actively support inclusivity among its student population.
“Anywhere where hate lives, things like Mizzou could happen,” Murray said. “I do think there’s a lot of ingrained hate from racism, but things like this are the first step towards a solution.”
Students prepared with an art show and signs before the start of the Mizzou rally on Thursday evening.
