Aug. 29, University students were put to the test: Wear a black T-shirt as a form of protest in light of recent race-related incidents. Simple. After a slew of crimes that targeted multiple African-American students, undergraduates of all backgrounds were asked to rise up and take a stand. The point? By making visible an act of racism, it allowed the community to confront a reality that routinely happens at the University.
The plan to wear black T-shirts began in a meeting held by many concerned black leaders on campus, Black Student Alliance President Aaron Blake said.
"The two co-chairs of the [Black Leadership Institute] decided to contact who they thought were very influential people within the black community and sat us all down in one room and just had us talk about it, and the black T-shirt idea came out of that because it's very simple -- it's very effective," Blake said. "And from that, [the message] just spread outward."
Following their decision, an e-mail message was sent to various student groups on Grounds asking for their support and their numbers against intolerance.
"In light of the recent incidents of racial intolerance, we are asking that everyone wear black shirts Monday, August 29," the e-mail said. "These black shirts recognize that racial intolerance is a continuing problem at the University of Virginia. They represent our commitment as a university community to proactive efforts towards eliminating such injustices."
That Monday the University was met with a good chunk of students of all different backgrounds who showed their support by wearing black tees. While the typical pastel polo shirts and popped collars still made their routine appearance, black tees were more than a fashion statement.
Despite some lack of participation, fourth-year College student Jade Craig said the act solidified the University community not only against racism, but sexism and homophobia as well.
"I noticed that at least one-third of the community were wearing black shirts," said Craig, who is Black Student Leadership Institute Co-Chair. "I felt supported ... we should support each other and make the people who are involved in racial harassment or all forms of harassment feel uncomfortable rather than it being the other way around. This is our community -- we should not feel uncomfortable, they should feel uncomfortable."
Yet the percentage of people who wore black T-shirts was not necessarily indicative of the student body's stand against racial intolerance. Not everyone is subscribed to an e-mail list that sent out the message, nor do all students feel wearing T-shirts was the needed action to help change things.
"It's not changing anything. ... it's showing that you're aware of the situation but it's not solving the problem," fourth-year College student Megan Hartshorn said. "I feel that there were people out there who did [show] support and were unified who just didn't wear the shirt. Then people hold that against you if you don't wear it, but I am on that side and I am going to demonstrations."
African American Affairs Dean Rick Turner, on the other hand, said he believes the T-shirts are a "win-win situation."
"Symbolically, those gestures are always effective because I think it educates people," Turner said. "It tends to unify people and establish camaraderie and establish a linkage to a cause that impacts that segment of the community."
As for solutions, many students said they are ambivalent about how to prevent these acts from occurring again. There has been much debate over getting surveillance cameras for the Lawn or having students patrol the Lawn area on a rotational basis to ensure a greater sense of security for its residents. Despite support from some students, others said the initiative might jeopardize participants.
"I don't feel comfortable with my fellow students being out there until 3 in the morning," Blake said. "We are students, we need to study. We are students, we are liable to be attacked. ... leave that job to the police."
The Lawn has been the location of many of the race-related incidents of the past several years, so some students have suggested that a greater police presence on the Lawn and other areas could aid in cracking down on such crimes. For example, in 2003, Student Council President-elect Daisy Lundy allegedly was attacked behind the Pavilions of the Lawn. In fall 2004, Lawn resident Amy Adkins had a derogatory statement written on the front of her car. And only a few weeks ago, Lawn resident Phil Jackson had a racial epithet and "I hate Jesus" written on his dry-erase board.
Faced with such incidents, students said they recognize the need to implement long-lasting changes.
"We need to channel this energy into institutional change and to remedying our institutions so that as students come here in generations every four years, they have the same structures in place, the same protocol in place that deters people from racial harassment and from all forms of racial harassment in general," Craig said. "We need to partner with our administration to establish things that are lasting and sustainable."
This past Wednesday, students met with UJC to discuss how to punish a student appropriately who has committed a hate crime. In particular, there lies the possibility for treating hate crimes as a single sanction.
"We should make ending forms of intolerance as much a part of our university fabric as our honor code," Craig said. "We all know that it is unacceptable to lie, cheat and steal, and we should all know that it is unacceptable to create an unwelcoming environment for students."
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