If they really wanted to make a statement, they should have all open-carried AR-15s.
What was protest about?
- Thread starter CarolinaSpider
- Start date
From my vantage point, the protestors were measured and did not disrupt the event in any way. As far as protests go nowadays, I give them credit for communicating their message thoughtfully while still respecting those around them and the event itself.
It was interesting to see the relative lack of support among the rest of the student body -- especially when the protestors left and the other students flooded into the recently vacated seats. Per this morning's Collegian article, there seemed to be some frustration from the protestors at the lack of participation from the rest of the students.
This obviously is an important and sensitive issue. Personally, I thought it was a buzz-kill because I prefer to keep my head in the sand at the Robins Center when it comes to politics, social conflict, and other strongly held views -- whether they concern racism, impeachment, religion, guns, abortion, or just about anything else. But I can see why others see it differently. I don't discount the importance of the issues -- I just want to escape and watch basketball for those two hours. And drink beer.
One interesting side-note: At the eastern arena entrance, there was a huge line of students that were not being admitted. They were waiting outside the entire first half. Strange -- I have never seen that before at sold out games. I wonder if the students have physical tickets? If so, I also wonder if the protestors actually had tickets? If not, was that the reason the other students were not able to enter?
Just curious.
There are roughly 1,000 student seats. Once that number is reached, they can't admit any more. No physical tickets, just first come, first serve. One unfortunate side effect was that students who wanted to come and cheer at the game were unable to do so.
Did the protesting students say in advance they were leaving at the half? So therefore their replacements were already assembled and waiting?
I was closer than most others. I was concerned for the safety of my family. It was interesting that they had purchased tickets, all sat together, wore the same outfits, and interlocked arms. Several times a lady came down to talk to them. Once, she asked that they put away their posters or give them to her. They refused and handed the posters to others behind them, so the lady was unable to reach it. A police officer also came down. They refused to move and refused to hand over their posters. They were taunting and obstinate to a nice lady who was just trying to do her job. At one point, Dr. Crutcher came down to talk with them. He even hugged several of them. The chants they yelled disrupted the entire area. When they did it, the stadium increased music to drown out their chants and the local band started playing. The sense I had was that it not a spontaneous protest, but planned well in advance. It was definitely an organized protest. I am not sure how they all got tickets together.
I mean duh it was organized in advance. Did you think 200 kids just all happened to show up wearing black and carrying signs about the same topic? I was in the other side of the arena and never heard anything, just saw them holding signs a few times. No big deal. We're making WAY more out of this than we need to.
Yes it was a planned protest. Students don’t have tickets, they’re first come first serve. So the protestors got there early and sat together. I was in the student section and did not notice any police officers or officials talking to or reprimanding the students at all. And I’m not sure why you’d feel unsafe - I didn’t see anything that made me feel like they would do anything other than silently protest.
I wasn’t happy that students who actually wanted to come support the team couldn’t do so, and that they left at halftime without vocally supporting our team at all. If the message was supposed to be one of union, I would’ve like them to come and support their fellow students while spreading their message. And I wasn’t happy that they decided to wait and chant right before the start of the second half - really took the air out of the building. But if they want to peacefully protest that’s their right.
I knew there was going to be a protest but didn’t know any details other than that. So my guess is most other students didn’t know they were leaving at halftime.
I understand the message and am impressed that they organized so quickly. That also makes me wonder.
They can protest all they want about anything......but outside without disrupting the event that I paid to attend.
They can protest all they want about anything......but outside without disrupting the event that I paid to attend.
Feels to me like a protest is meant to get attention and cause debate on an issue. Seems like it was successful.
I hadn’t heard about the issue before, and will now be looking into and following the university’s response.
I hadn’t heard about the issue before, and will now be looking into and following the university’s response.
I agree the purpose of the protest was to draw attention to a problem, on that front they were successful. To do so at an event that was well attended likely added to the awareness, again successful. I understand they asked to be allowed on the floor during halftime, but were denied. I believe had they worked with the University they could have found a more visible way to protest hatred and racism that would have engaged more students. Perhaps a scheduled time (following a generic statement by the announcer -- there was a recent event on campus that offended many of our Spider family and our students have asked to express their feelings) then have the students stand and cheer something similar to "Spiders united against hatred, Spiders against racism" while holding arms. AND the remainder of the time to support their team.
Protest is never done with the intent to make others comfortable. It’s supposed to have the opposite effect, of course.
Gallipoli, I generally have a hard time knowing whether you are saying something tongue in cheek or not, but fearing for your family’s safety? At the Robins Center? Yikes.
I am glad students are calling attention to this issue in a public way. As someone said previously, peaceful protest against racism? Well, sorry for the inconvenience! Impressed by Nick saying that there are things bigger than basketball. That’s a leader right there.
Gallipoli, I generally have a hard time knowing whether you are saying something tongue in cheek or not, but fearing for your family’s safety? At the Robins Center? Yikes.
I am glad students are calling attention to this issue in a public way. As someone said previously, peaceful protest against racism? Well, sorry for the inconvenience! Impressed by Nick saying that there are things bigger than basketball. That’s a leader right there.
My opinion - this protest was just a protest to give the kids something to do. I am not condoning the actions that drove them to this - but here is my explanation.
The protest had signs that said "Stop the Hate" or "Stop Racism" - to me that makes is sound like we have a major issue with racism on campus, which made me think this type of incident has occurred several times and nothing was done to stop about it or the school covered them up. This doesn't seem to be the case based on the information out there right now. Seems like an isolated incident by one student.
They also said "We want justice" - but based on the article in the collegian, it sounds like the school is on the path. But as mentioned above in this post and as we have seen before in these types of incidents - it is sometimes better to move quickly, but be thorough as well - because you make a mistake here, and next thing you know UR is front page news for the wrong reasons. But based on what I read in the collegian article - it does not sound like the school is trying to brush this under the rug. It sounds like they will catch this person and I would expect a swift and severe punishment, most likely expelled from the school and probably some legal trouble as well.
So if the school seems to be doing everything it should and can do - why the protest? I think of protest when you disagree with something.
Sure you could protest against the act - but you could do that anytime you want and anywhere with this topic. I doubt anyone is in favor of racism or hate, so to me this just seemed to take away from the game and make a big deal out of something that as of right now - looks like the school is handling appropriately.
The protest had signs that said "Stop the Hate" or "Stop Racism" - to me that makes is sound like we have a major issue with racism on campus, which made me think this type of incident has occurred several times and nothing was done to stop about it or the school covered them up. This doesn't seem to be the case based on the information out there right now. Seems like an isolated incident by one student.
They also said "We want justice" - but based on the article in the collegian, it sounds like the school is on the path. But as mentioned above in this post and as we have seen before in these types of incidents - it is sometimes better to move quickly, but be thorough as well - because you make a mistake here, and next thing you know UR is front page news for the wrong reasons. But based on what I read in the collegian article - it does not sound like the school is trying to brush this under the rug. It sounds like they will catch this person and I would expect a swift and severe punishment, most likely expelled from the school and probably some legal trouble as well.
So if the school seems to be doing everything it should and can do - why the protest? I think of protest when you disagree with something.
Sure you could protest against the act - but you could do that anytime you want and anywhere with this topic. I doubt anyone is in favor of racism or hate, so to me this just seemed to take away from the game and make a big deal out of something that as of right now - looks like the school is handling appropriately.
It stinks that there were students who wanted to attend the game and support the team that couldn't get in. Of course if it's first come, first serve and you know we are playing a top 10 opponent then you better plan accordingly. Even folks like myself who had tickets arrived a little earlier on Saturday knowing it would be a sellout and traffic/parking would be a little heavier than normal. It would be nice to start seeing that kind of student support for all home games...I know the team has to do their part too but they are this year.
Agreed with what you say as far the school handling it appropriately, according to the Collegian. On the other hand, I think it's good to show in a high profile place where the students are saying, "This is not OK."
Other highly recommended options include buying a billboard!
Other highly recommended options include buying a billboard!
https://www.midmajormadness.com/202...ball-a10-racist-graffiti-uofr-student-protest
I thought SBNation posted this same article but now I can't find it.
At one time (1972-1976) students were issued a "ticket book" from which you would gain admittance to the basketball or football game.
There were four incidents – two at Marsh Hall, one in which a Chinese student apparently was assaulted and another one that was supposedly "racial intimidation."
I think that it's safe to say that we all deplore racism, hate and bigotry. But it's been my experience after a long career in law enforcement that the majority of incidents that occur like this are not rooted in hate, but are merely school boy pranks. Stupid and mean spirited, but pranks nonetheless. I hate the way folks leap to conclusions before we even have any facts regarding the perpetrators of this horrific crime.
But what matters here is the effect these acts have on the students on the receiving end, not the intent of the perpetrator. Very sad that this kind of thing can happen and make members of our community feel unwelcome.
I believe 2020 got it right, there is no room for an action such as this, and the victim and those in similar condition need to be understood and supported. The kids got it right there is no room for hatred or racism. But I think all Rick is saying is don't convict and punish the perpetrator until you have all of the facts, I suspect most of us did something stupid without really thinking about the consequences, or the harm to others, as a college age kid or younger.
Here's a detailed story from SB Nation.
https://www.midmajormadness.com/202...ball-a10-racist-graffiti-uofr-student-protest
https://www.midmajormadness.com/202...ball-a10-racist-graffiti-uofr-student-protest
I hear you, but I don't know anyone who wrote racial slurs on someone's door as a joke. The kids at UR obviously know better. Now I will say that there is sometimes good-natured racial banter that can happen back and forth between friends, but in those instances it's friends who know each other REALLY well. And even in those cases, there are some things that are or should be off limits. I don't think this was that kind of joking around or else the person who did it would have immediately told the other students.
I'm willing to hear the side of whoever did this, but I'm not willing to just brush it off as a college prank, and I don't know that the explanation would change my mind about what the consequences should be.
No, this is not "merely a school boy prank", it's racism. If this is a "prank nonetheless", it's a racist prank. Do you really think telling someone who has ever been on the receiving end of racism that it was just a "school boy prank" makes them feel even 1% better?
And, who do you mean by "we all" in your first sentence? If this were true, we would have a heck of a lot less racism in this world. The problem is too many people out there do not deplore this, and racist acts are full of hate. So, no, unfortunately, all do not deplore racism, hate, and bigotry, these incidents are not "school boy pranks", and yes, they are rooted in hate.
Come on, man. Do better.
How can you compare this to doing something stupid? As I asked in my previous post, do you really think saying that would make anyone who has been on the receiving end of racism feel any better?
4700 the victim would not feel better, but doing or saying something stupid is
a realistic statement, especially when too much alcohol is involved. Have seen
many regretted things said and done as a result of too much partying.
There is no place for what was done, no excuse. But is this a typical reflection of
the student body at UR. Hey I was there in early 70s right after busing had started.
Many us were “townies” who had experienced integration and there were those who were
part of white flight to the counties. It was a melting pot of new thoughts and opinions.
We were all learning to appreciate our differences.
Today at UR I honestly believe there is a lot more diversity which is a good thing. But
with diversity there is more chance for cultural clashes. We know about the victim, but
what about the perpetrator(s)? What drove them to this action: drunken stupidity, jealousy
or blatant hatred and racism. In any case there is no room for this but I cannot believe this
is a true reflection of our University of Richmond.
a realistic statement, especially when too much alcohol is involved. Have seen
many regretted things said and done as a result of too much partying.
There is no place for what was done, no excuse. But is this a typical reflection of
the student body at UR. Hey I was there in early 70s right after busing had started.
Many us were “townies” who had experienced integration and there were those who were
part of white flight to the counties. It was a melting pot of new thoughts and opinions.
We were all learning to appreciate our differences.
Today at UR I honestly believe there is a lot more diversity which is a good thing. But
with diversity there is more chance for cultural clashes. We know about the victim, but
what about the perpetrator(s)? What drove them to this action: drunken stupidity, jealousy
or blatant hatred and racism. In any case there is no room for this but I cannot believe this
is a true reflection of our University of Richmond.
From what I’ve gleaned from the protesters comments, their problem is with this type of reaction. First, “Drunken stupidity, jealousy, or blatant hatred and racism” are all the same thing, and should be completely unacceptable.
Second, while I don’t disagree with you, I would imagine a victim hearing that “this is not a true reflection of the University” feels like they are being marginalized or essentially told they’re making too big of a deal of it. I’m sure this is not people’s intention, but it is the outcome. My take is that the protesters are fighting that sentiment as much as the act itself, which I applaud them for.
I don't think any of the protests were designed chiefly to be critical of the university. They were designed simply to say, This happened and we collectively and publicly denounce it. And to inform people who weren't aware of it.
Until the perpetrator(s) are identified - if they ever are - the facts of the situation are elusive. A preconceived "narrative" is conjecture no matter what view one has of the event.
It’s safe to say that multiple racial slurs were written and that regardless of the reason that they were written, that is wrong and deplorable.
A school admitting a student is no different than a manager in business, hiring someone: you don't know truly what you have accepted or hired till they are with you. You can go through all the testing and interviews you want, but true feelings can be hidden for purpose of being admitted or hired.
This is a big deal concerning what happened and I applaud the students for their support, but racism is a cancer that is very difficult to treat. I would think that with the two generations after me, acceptance of all would be greater and greater and it is. But there will always seem to be the extreme on either side of the spectrum. My hope is it gets smaller and smaller to the point of not being recognized.
This is a big deal concerning what happened and I applaud the students for their support, but racism is a cancer that is very difficult to treat. I would think that with the two generations after me, acceptance of all would be greater and greater and it is. But there will always seem to be the extreme on either side of the spectrum. My hope is it gets smaller and smaller to the point of not being recognized.
Until or if the perpetrator(s) are identified the possibility of hoax exists. It would not be the first time the technique has been utilized to advance an agenda. At this point it can not be ruled in or out. The act is unacceptable. Since it has been posted the event is on tape one can only wonder at the delay in disclosing more details.
It's unfortunate that because of a couple hoaxes with things like this we go to that concept right away. At the same time, I understand the desire to know whether it was real or a hoax, I do. But I don't see the harm in denouncing it immediately either way. If later we find out it was a hoax, whoever did it should be publicly shamed and probably removed from the university, if he/she is a student.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't get the sense that there is some underlying "narrative" at work here, and I'm not sure what there would be to gain by falsifying one. I don't think there is an underlying problem of racism at the school, but I'm also not on campus every day. If there is one, let's address is. If there isn't, then let's denounce these isolated incidents, find out who was responsible for them and move on.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't get the sense that there is some underlying "narrative" at work here, and I'm not sure what there would be to gain by falsifying one. I don't think there is an underlying problem of racism at the school, but I'm also not on campus every day. If there is one, let's address is. If there isn't, then let's denounce these isolated incidents, find out who was responsible for them and move on.
I would have maybe proposed those kids protest outside the robins center to get the attention of every person walking into the game. B
I am wondering the same thing - if this is on tape, why the delay in action? I guess the person could have disguised themselves - but I would have to assume or hope that there are security cameras at the entrances and exits to all dorm buildings on campus right? If not - they better install them now.
