Vignette #2 - Institutional versus individual responses: Why Miami Can't Save Us
In this epsiode, we look into how Miami's demographics and power structures may explain why the university's administration is unlikely to take a strong stance against Miami's everyday covert and systemic racism. We also show how student-led initiatives can combat official narratives that ignore the pervasive nature of discrimination on campus.
What mobilizes Miamians?
The last protest that truly drew the “average Miamian” to action was in the aftermath of hurricane Ike in 2008.
“Finally-” the article writes, “after faculty and students alike constantly complain about the lack of student activism- there was some kind of movement on campus.”
What event could have possibly triggered a massive turnout that went until late in the evening and brought dozens of cops, k-9 units, and riot patrol squads to the scene? A huge windstorm knocked out electricity to Oxford’s businesses, bars, and residences, but Miami’s backup generators meant that the lights were on and classes were to resume as normal.
The hurricane made Miamians flood Oxford's streets, filled Miami’s president’s front lawn with protesters, and can help us understand the reasons behind administrative apathy today.
Miami Community Diversity from 2010-2019
Miami's 15.6% non-white domestic students still does not reflect the 27.6% non-white American population documented in the 2010 census.
Miami's Makeup
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As of 2019, around 1 in 3 Miami students is a member of a fraternity or sorority, so talking about racism in Greek life could alienate a large portion of students.
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Only around 15% (3 in 20) of Miami students are Pell Grant recipients, so talking about wealth disparity might make people feel bad for being financially well off.
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3 out of 4 Miami students are white, while only a little over 3 out of every 100 students is black
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Just over 15% of students are non-international racial/ethnic minorities, or American BIPOC
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The last campus climate survey had an abysmal response rate of 24%, meaning most students, independent of race, ethnicity, or class, didn’t feel compelled to weigh in on Miami's social issues
Let sleeping dogs lie: explaining Miami's neutral, non-offensive responses to racism.
Miami wouldn’t want to bring up the idea that they could have a racist history if they other option- to make mild, reassuring platitudes- would make them seem more appealing. Considering the fact that schools rely on maintaining a good image to garner both donations and new students, all statements that are publicly tied to the university are financially obligated to be as non-offensive as possible.
Instead of opening the possibility of considering that Miami’s campus is institutionally racist, the language used in trustee meetings and diversity statements alike pivots to the importance of ensuring things are more inclusive, respectful, and welcoming. If you look at the language used by the dean, president, and Miami’s other high-profile public figures when talking about racism on campus, they don’t seem to want to even acknowledge its presence. If it is brought up, racism is thought of in a way that protects the university and its students from any culpability: it’s an individual issue, a matter of a handful of bad actors, a disease impacting our otherwise pure, innocent campus that’s already trying its best to make everyone feel welcome and included. I mean, haven’t you seen the hashtags #IAmMiami and #YouAreWelcomeHere?
Things that count as overt racism are few in far between. Many statements and actions that minorities find offensive can be brushed off as “out of context” or “not intentional” (Hill 2008), or defended by framing those who took offense as “overly-sensitive” or against “free speech” (Fuentes). There's a reason why only documented, explicit instances of racism seem to trigger moral panics: they set the speaker well enough apart from most Miamians to allow them to be condemned. Publicizing less explicit forms of racism, like biased judgements or insensitive statements, risks being seen as "overly sensitive" or "reverse racist" for calling out actions and habits that the majority of Miamians see as normal.
Analyzing the idea that everyday judgements and actions could actually be racist is an uncomfortable process. Many of us have been raised to think that being called a racist is more of an insult than a critique, which leads us to react accordingly. This is one reason why myths about the nature of race and racism, like those outlined by Fuentes (2012) and Hill (2008) explained in our vignette about moral panics, are so prevalent: they protect whites' feelings and shield them from ever considering themselves as racist. Reducing racism to a matter of personal actions and beliefs lets white Americans not have to consider their complacency in a system that benefits them and hurts others.
Population’s only part of it: how power and politics shape Miami’s public statements.
Why would Miami not want to talk about institutional racism? Well, let’s consider who they’d offend if they said racism was a structural reality rather than a personal choice:
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"I can never forget this moment, when I was a sophomore this girl told me that my dreads makes me look like a criminal and that I should have a more professional hair cut. The next I cut the dreads I grew since I was a freshman high school that I LOVED SO MUCH.... I hope she was happy I guess..."
-Class of 2020
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"One white girl saw my tattoos that has 3 letters and she asked me if it's my gang name, it was my mother's initials."
-Class of 2022
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"So many white people at Miami have told me 'I am too smart for a Black girl' or 'You aren't like other Black girls'."
-Class of 2016
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"A specific incident I remember is being in a frat house and hearing one of the boys saying the N word. When I called him out on it, many of the men in the room piped up to tell me to stfu and continued using the slur. They said things like 'maga' and 'trump 2020' while laughing and throwing the word around like a ball. Tossed around fueled by stereotypes. I had to leave, it was disgusting."
-Class of 2020
Greek Life's role to play in the systemic racism of Miami University
Below are excerpts from the Instagram page @DearMiamiU. Be advised of triggering content like Sexual Interpersonal Violence if you're going to view further content on their Instagram or on their master list of testimonials.
The chosen excerpts display the climate at Miami with regards to the race relations in the Greek Life system of Miami University. These testimonies show how students of color have been negatively impacted by the racist culture cultivated on Miami's campus and Greek Life community.
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June 29, 2020 "I was close with a pretty big fraternity on campus. Most of the guys were nice and although most members were white, they did have some diversity, however this was mostly the newer pledge classes. I was at a party with some of the seniors of 2017 and they played Confederate songs and used the N word freely - they also had a black friend whom they said 'accepted' this"
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June 29, 2020 "I was told that I shouldn't rush because I wouldn't 'fit'. I'm hispanic"
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July 1, 2020 "Told by Alpha Phi and Theta that I am too foreign for their look during their recruitment. And I saw alpha Phi girls looking at me and crossed off my name on their stupid list. OH and was told 'what type of name is that???' Sorry my name is not exactly white or American."
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July 4, 2020 "During panhellenic recruitment (2018) I was asked how the process was going, and I thought nothing of it. It was a stressful time for everyone, but the person said, 'No, I mean being black during all of it because you're not going to the black sororities and its really competitive?' I instantly felt uncomfortable and thought about dropping, but I just answered that it's been 'fine'."