Kevin McNamara and Brannon Mahaley co-written & edited
Westen Carolina students gathering together in unity on March 27. Photo by: Travon Ricketts
Hundreds of people turned out to participate and to stand in allegiance against the racism and intolerance on WCU campus.
Faculty, staff and students united to improve the campus environment through a march on Tuesday, March 27.
Since the start of the semester, there has been both tension and animosity throughout WCU’s students and administration. Due to prior incidents around campus involving racial slurs and bigotry, students and faculty of WCU decided to participate in the “Whee Stand with Our Students: March for Equity.”
This march was designed to show people of color that they are not alone, and that everyone is equal and should be treated as such. With the purpose of demonstrating support from faculty for the minority students and other underrepresented communities on WCU’s campus.
Ambassador of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Program, Ricardo Nazario-Colon, has many issues with the unease between the faculty and the student body. He decided it was time to take a stand and to work with the students to better the communication between staff and students.
“We’ve had these issues on campus, so we have been working with students by trying to get them to articulate how they feel, and to let the university know that this is happening to us,” said Nazario-Colon.
#Wheematter founders Tenae Turner and Antonio Oakley gather together with their peers for the march. Photo by Travon Ricketts
Students were encouraged to wear all black to show their support for the march and to make protest signs. Making the signs not only encouraged creativity and individualism amongst the students, but it also allowed for each voice to be heard. The march even included a performance by local singer and songwriter, Brian Claflin. Based out of Asheville, Claflin was more than happy to participate in the event and even drew a larger crowd.
Antonio Oakley, member and founder of the #WheeMatter movement and organization, was impressed by the turnout.
“It is great to know that people still care,” said Oakley. “We thank the faculty and staff for putting on this march and being proactive in the way that they are dealing with these resolutions that have been put in place, and we thank them for their continuous support.”
Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work and Faculty Senate member, Amy Murphy-Nugen, was thrilled by the turnout and excited to unite with students under one purpose. “We stand with them against racism and bigotry, and stand with them for inclusion and diversity,” said Murphy-Nugen.
“I really hope faculty sees this as a catalyst for what’s next,” said Murphy-Nugen.
Another member and co-founder of the #WheeMatter movement and organization, Tenae Turner, was also present at the march.
“We need to have more diverse ideas, beliefs and representation,” said Turner. This has been proven to be a common belief among the student population, specifically those a part of minority groups at WCU.
“Black people are used in pictures or photos to represent diversity, but in actuality, it’s something that we lack,” said Turner. “It’s something that we need to strive for.”
See more photos and video from the event. Video produced by: Travon Ricketts
