Calls for Racial Justice, Administrative Resignation at Ithaca College
By Maya Cueva
Editor’s Note: Ithaca College in upstate New York is one of the flashpoints in a growing wave of student activism across the nation. Campus activists, led by the People of Color at Ithaca College (POC at IC), there called for the resignation of College President Tom Rochon for what they see as his tepid response to racial insensitivity on the campus. Youth Radio alum Maya Cueva, a student at Ithaca College, spoke with her fellow students about the campus activism.
Taranjit Singh, 20
Class of ‘16
“For me, students rising up and fighting back on campus’ across the nation is an indication of a collective consciousness. Students of color are choosing not to exist in a structure that has never been built around them, and white allies are recognizing that this is an institution that they no longer wish to profit off of. What we see here in Ithaca College is the breeding of a culture of silence which also breeds distinct forms of incomprehensible violence. This violence denies experiences and co-opts student energies to contribute to this grander liberal facade that perpetuates notions of a post-racial societies. These campus movements when placed within the larger historical battle against institutionalized racism, are seeking these alternate epistemologies that challenge the imperialist psyche that cultivates an atmosphere of oppression.”
Bud Gee, 22
Alum, Class of ’15
“I think that seeing POC at IC seize the school from the administration’s hands was an amazing moment to witness. It makes me believe that tangible changes are occurring, especially given how what is happening at IC is in harmony with colleges across the nation. As an IC alum looking from the outside in, I think the idea of leadership needs to be revised and destabilized from its vertical assumptions. That is most evident when we see young students taking the charge beyond anyone else.”
Rita Bunatal, 22
Class of ’16
“Personally, it is inspiring to see other students becoming passionate about these issues and standing up for what they believe in. For me, it is understandably difficult to expect others to see what is wrong with the system because we are conditioned to believe that this system was created to defend and protect us. it is amazing that we see so many students standing up, but it is also equally terrifying knowing that there is a larger majority who are literally willing to harm and possibly kill to maintain their comfortability and peace of mind. I’ve had many experiences on this campus that has lead me to believe that this system truly wasn’t made to protect me, and at the end of the day that is what I want — fair and equal treatment for all — not some faux cover up. I want to sit in class and not worry about if someone is going to say something incredibly racist and have the class sit in complacency and watch it happen. I want to be able to report racially charged hate crimes and actually have the perpetrator receive due action. This is larger than IC but it is still a problem and it trickles down from the bottom up. We can’t keep using that excuse. It just creates more complacency.”
Dominick Recckio, 21
Class of ‘16
“It is amazing, I walk across campus and I see more action, more empathy, and more care than I ever could have dreamed of. I am not about to let that amazing energy be marred by hate — Ithaca College, and colleges all across the nation are expressing that racial justice is not just a trend, but a human right.
“Now, 2015, we see the information age defining what we’re doing. There have been shaky, stressed, and failed movements in the 2000’s — there’s too much noise to sort through. Today, that noise is focused and louder than ever. We’re going to put a halt to these systems until they change.”
