Institutional Evolution - Albion College

Throughout American history, racial discrimination and prejudice have been prevalent, leading to systemic inequalities and injustices experienced by various racial and ethnic groups, particularly African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic and Latino Americans. These discriminatory practices have manifested in various forms, including segregation, racial violence, discriminatory laws and policies, economic disparities, and so on.

Albion College, historically recognized as a predominantly white institution, reflects this societal context, with over 60% of its student body and faculty comprising individuals from white racial and ethnic backgrounds. This demographic composition automatically creates an environment where minority students, including Black, Indigenous, and students of color (BIPOC), may feel marginalized or excluded.

The minority students at Albion College have been susceptible to discrimination due to the predominance of white cultural norms, values, and perspectives within the campus community. This has manifested in various ways, including racial microaggressions, stereotyping, implicit bias, and obvious acts of discrimination and racial violence.

This project explores a timeline of racist incidents and racial violence that have occurred on Albion College's campus and examines the community's responses to these incidents. The timeline includes notable events such as the DeBardelaben incident in 1992, the 2016 'build a wall incident,' the incidents in 2019, and the racist graffiti incidents in 2021 all reported by the Pleiad. The project aims to create a side-by-side comparison of how these incidents have evolved over time and how the responses of students, faculty, staff, and minority organizations like the Black Student Alliance (BSA) and Asian Awareness Group (AAG) have evolved alongside them.

The chosen focus of this project is essential for understanding the growth and evolution of Albion College's approach to racial incidents over the past 30 years, particularly in light of societal events such as the Black Lives Matter movement and political events like the attempted impeachment of former President Donald Trump. By connecting the incidents on campus to these social and political context, this project aims to provide insight into the college's current perceptions of minorities and its ongoing efforts to address racial discrimination.

Overall, this timeline serves as an informative and educative tool, shedding light on the role of Albion College in responding to racial incidents and highlighting the evolving responses of students, faculty, staff, and minority organizations. Through a comprehensive examination of past incidents and responses reported intensively through the Pleiad, this project aims to provide a deeper understanding of the evolution of Albion College in responding to racial violence and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus.

This article discusses the arrest of an Albion College student, James DeBardelaben, in Lower Baldwin Hall cafeteria. DeBardelaben was charged with trespassing after being accused of stealing a sandwich. Witnesses reported that DeBardelaben, along with other students, entered the cafeteria, and one non-boarding student was asked to leave. DeBardelaben was accused by a dining services employee of planning to steal said sandwich. Despite his protests, DeBardelaben was asked to leave by campus safety and later arrested by the police. The incident sparked controversy among students and faculty, with some claiming it was racially motivated, some saying it was merely a violation of student rights and some criticizing the handling of the situation. Albion College officials stated that an investigation into the incident was ongoing. This artifact sets the stage for diverse reactions from groups such as the Black Students' Alliance (BSA) and the Asian Awareness Group (AAG).

The Black Student Alliance (BSA) at Albion College issues a response to the arrest of James DeBardelaben, expressing concerns about the fairness of the accusations made against him and questioning the basis for his mistreatment. They highlight the need for fairness and equity on campus, emphasizing the importance of addressing minority issues and advocating for student rights. BSA asserts, "We, as students, have the right to be right," and adds, "As students of Albion College, we should have a fair chance to voice our side of the story. If there ever was a time when we need our voices, we need them now!" They call for action to create a more inclusive and supportive campus community, urging collaboration to tackle racism, sexism, harassment, and other issues. Finally, they express gratitude to those pushing for change and emphasize the ongoing need for collective efforts to improve campus climate.

The Asian Awareness Group (AAG) voices its support for DeBardelaben in response to his arrest and calls for urgent action. They express solidarity with the Black Student Alliance (BSA) and commend their handling of the incident. AAG condemns the arrest of fellow students and identifies the incident as a student rights issue with racial undertones. They criticize systemic issues within the college, particularly questioning dining service policies and campus safety procedures. AAG urges the administration to address these concerns promptly and emphasizes the need for lasting change to create an equitable campus environment. They affirm their commitment to inclusivity and denounce any behavior that hinders the establishment of a fair living and learning environment.

Students and faculty gathered around Albion College's rock to show solidarity with Latino students who felt threatened by a "#build a wall" message spray-painted on it. In response, students and organizations came together to cover the hateful slogan, initiating discussions about the impact of such language. A subsequent rally aimed to support those affected, emphasizing the need for a safe and inclusive campus environment. They highlighted the importance of dialogue and education to debunk myths about immigrants and advocate for their rights. Amidst discussions about free speech protections, some students argued that hate speech like the hashtag "#BuildAWall" should not be tolerated. As Allen, a first-year from Cleveland, Ohio aptly put it, "You have a right to your opinion, but not if your opinion is based in oppression." President Mauri Ditzler recognized the significance of the rock as a platform for discussion and encouraged ongoing dialogue on the issue. The rally aimed to foster empathy and understanding, promoting humanity in addressing sensitive topics.

Over 100 campus and community members gathered at Albion College's campus rock for a unity demonstration on April 11, following the discovery of racist symbols targeting Black and Asian students. The event, organized by Black Student Alliance (BSA), Asian Awareness Group (AAG), Umbrella, and Greek life, aimed to address concerns of racism and promote solidarity. In response to the incidents, BSA co-president Morgan Armstrong emphasized the importance of diverse support, stating, "It’s inspiring because it shows that so many people are passionate about making this a safe place for everyone." Demonstrators painted the rock with a "ONEALBION" hashtag and shared their thoughts on moving forward. Maryam Syed expressed gratitude for the diverse support, while Tanya Jagdish, public relations manager of AAG, emphasized the significance of solidarity. Student Senator Lynette Gumbleton highlighted the need for cultural shift and concrete actions to combat racism. Professor Trisha Franzen emphasized the importance of community response and education. Dria Grant, communications chair of BSA, appreciated the turnout, noting the strength of allyship across campus. As Grant stated, "It was so great for the turnout... I am so very grateful that we have so many allies on our campus."

Another racist and homophobic graffiti was discovered in Seaton Hall resulting in a response from the Albion College community organizing a silent march and a public conversation - the second one within the span of 6 months. The graffiti, including symbols and slurs, prompted campus-wide condemnation and efforts to identify the individual responsible. President Mauri Ditzler and other college officials reaffirmed Albion's commitment to diversity and inclusivity. At a community conversation, students voiced frustration with the recurrence of such incidents and called for systemic change. One student, Kai Bratton, emphasized the need for sustained action, stating, "This happens every six months, and then it blows over. It can’t be like that." The silent march, modeled after the NAACP silent parade of 1917, drew over 100 participants who gathered around the campus rock to share thoughts and condemnations. Isaac Verhelst, president of the Umbrella council, emphasized the collective effort needed for Albion to become a truly inclusive community, stating, "It’s going to take a lot of work from everyone."

The Albion College community was shaken yet again by a series of anti-Black racist incidents, including graffiti found in residential halls like Mitchell Towers and Wesley Hall. The escalation began on March 26 when a Black student faced racial slurs and threats, as well as being spat on from a white male near campus. Subsequent incidents included racist graffiti and verbal harassment, prompting investigations by campus authorities. Keena Williams, chief belonging officer, highlighted the importance of the bias reporting process in addressing such incidents. While previous incidents prompted college responses, a deliberate decision was made not to issue a campus-wide response to an incident on March 28 to avoid further provocation. The situation escalated with more racist graffiti discovered on April 2, leading Williams and Kenneth Snyder to offer a $1000 reward for information leading to the perpetrators' identification and pledging disciplinary action, including immediate suspension for involved students. Increased security measures were taken, including increased patrols and community meetings in affected residence halls. Amidst these troubling events, a quote from Williams stands out: "What was sent out to students was in response to what happened in Wesley. Over Sunday we had a number of reports of similar incidents that occurred in Mitchell Towers. We chose to not send out another campus response because we did not want to create a situation where things were happening to elicit more responses."

This article explained that the student responsible for racist and anti-Semitic graffiti in Mitchell Towers had been identified, according to President Mathew Johnson's email. The individual, who acted alone, has been temporarily suspended pending a full investigation. While local law enforcement didn't see these events as ongoing threats, the college is proactive in ensuring campus safety. Johnson acknowledges the college's history with racism and emphasizes community healing and support. The recent incident is part of a broader pattern of anti-Black racism on campus, with ongoing investigations into previous incidents. The college has engaged in conversations with various community stakeholders to shape its response, aiming for collective healing and accountability.

In this article, published by Jordan Revenaugh, it was specifically stated that the student responsible for the incidents in Mitchell Towers was a 21-year-old Black male and has been subsequently removed from campus. The college fulfilled its promise of immediate suspension pending investigation. The student admitted to most of the graffiti during an interview with public safety officials, corroborated by video evidence. The college reiterates its commitment to community safety and collaboration with law enforcement. The investigation continues, with no indication of additional suspects at this time. President Johnson assures ongoing updates to the community as the investigation progresses.

This article discusses a demonstration held at Albion College following recent racist and anti-Semitic incidents on campus. Students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members, a total of approximately 450 people, gathered to address these issues. Jayson Sawyer, a senior, emphasized the need to eradicate racism on campus, stating, "The spaces that allow racism to live on our campus, this racist s* must go." Sawyer urged individuals to stand against injustice and advocated for unity among all members of the community. Other speakers echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of amplifying Black voices and fostering inclusivity on campus. The article highlights the efforts of groups like Alpha Kappa Alpha and The Build Albion Fellows in promoting diversity and bridging the gap between the college and the community.

Throughout the course of this project, we've embarked on a journey through the evolution of Albion College's responses to racial and discriminatory incidents on campus. By examining a timeline, we've gained insights into how these incidents have unfolded and how the community has responded.

The archive items we explored provide evidence that while the specific incidents may vary, recurring patterns emerge. For example, recent events in the 21st century have occurred on similar dates, particularly in April. Despite all these incidents, the community consistently rallies together in response, demonstrating a commitment to promoting change and fostering inclusivity.

Moving forward, this project serves as a wake-up call for Albion College to reinforce its efforts in creating a campus environment where all students, especially students of color, feel safe, valued, and respected. By learning from past incidents and responding with meaningful action, the college can find ways to further promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Aishat Fagun is a third-year student at Albion College, majoring in Biochemistry with minors in Cell and Molecular Biology and Ethnic Studies. Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, she migrated to the United States in 2018. Aishat is a member of various programs including the Prentiss M. Brown Honors Program, the Wilson Medical Institute and the Curtis Institute for Race and Belonging. Additionally, she serves as a Global Ambassador and an Albion Orientation Leader annually. Despite being from a predominantly Black country, Aishat initially did not view race as a defining aspect of her identity. However, her perspective shifted upon relocating to the United States, where she began to navigate her intersectional identity encompassing race, gender, and ethnicity. As an executive board member of the Black Student Alliance and the African Caribbean Student Union, she advocates strongly against racist incidents on campus, providing tangible information and educating others about these issues.