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FROM ARTICLE:The white progressive anti-war movement should heed these
events and act in solidarity.comments by Rayyan, an Arab-American
activist at U of MD:
It is not a coincidence that two days after a successful "Justice for
the Jena 6" solidarity rally at Howard University a noose was found
hanging at the University of Maryland. The reality is that
despite the massive gains made by the Civil Rights and Black Power
movements, racism is very much alive today. In addition, there is a
polarization in society--the people who support such bigotry are on
the defensive because those of us who are anti-racists have made it
clear that we will not tolerate racist injustice in any form... We
need to make sure that these racists are no longer comfortable in
expressing such violent behavior...he ordinary people of this country
have nothing to gain from the continuation of racist violence. Because
racism is an ongoing issue in this country, alum and community members
should express their solidarity wherever they can by actively
organizing---whether its within their communities or their work
places...Let's make it known that we stand WITH the people of color
around the country, and AGAINST vile racist injustice.
Nooses Hung From Jena, La. to College Park, Md.
by Ron Jacobs
September 17, 2007
On September 7, 2007 a noose was found hanging from a tree outside the
Nyumburu Cultural Center at the Universtiy of Maryland. This incident
occurred only two days after a rally for the Jena 6 (a case that also
involves the hanging of nooses) at nearby Howard University in
Washington, DC that attracted between 1500 and 2000 people. University
of Maryland officials have been quick to comment on the noose incident
at the center and student organizations led by the campus Black Student
Union have mobilized thousands of students and community members against
racism. What follows is an exchange with one of the many organizers of
the anti-racism campaign. (The Jena 6 charges have been reduced , as of
September 15.)
*Ron: *First, can you tell me about the incident and how it was discovered?
*Rayyan: *On September 7th, a noose was found hanging on a tree outside
the Nyumburu Cultural Center at the University of Maryland. There is
speculation that the noose had remained on the tree for nearly a week
before it was finally reported to the police by an unknown person. On
Friday, the police department issued a statement characterizing it as a
hate crime, and indicating that they were looking into the matter.
*Ron: *What is your role at the University of Maryland? How long have
you attended the university?
*Rayyan: *I have attended the University of Maryland as an undergraduate
for the last two years (this is my third year on campus). I am currently
a Criminology and Criminal Justice major, although when I am not
studying, I play a role in organizing as an activist on campus. I am a
member of the International Socialist Organization (and have been since
my freshman year). The ISO often unites with other student groups (such
as the Latino Student Union and the Muslim Students Association) to
organize around issues of social justice (among them the issue of
immigrants rights, defending Arabs/Muslims from racism, and organizing
against the war). As an activist, my primary goal is to help rebuild an
organized Left on the campus and around the country that can stand
against the social and economic issues that face working people today.
*Ron: *What is the Nyumburu Cultural Center? Who has their offices
there and what is its history?
*Rayyan: *Nyumburu is a multicultural center that is now in its 28th
year. The word "Nyumburu" comes from a Swahili word meaning "freedom
house," and the primary aim of the center is to provide a safe haven for
community members of all different ethnicities and cultural
backgrounds. By providing a place for intellectual dialogue, the Center
is able to fight against racist violence and ethnic discrimination.
*Ron: *Were you surprised at this incident? Had there been any
indication in recent years that the apparent sentiment that the noose
symbolizes exists on campus or in College Park?
*Rayyan: *Racial tensions have been boiling up on campus for the past
few years now. In 2005 there was an incident of police brutality towards
people of color on campus after police officers broke up a party in a
university residential complex. Community Roots, an activist group on
campus, along with other student organizations initiated a rally in
response to brutalitywhich drew out over 150 people
(http://media.www.diamondbackonline.com/media/storage/paper873/news/2006/11/16/News/One-Year.Later.Hard.Feelings.Linger-2463808.shtml).
The recent hate crime, however, is a little different in character in
that it was not another incident of police using racism as a
weapon--this recent crime was most probably committed by a member of the
University community.
Maryland often prides itself on graduating more African Americans than
any top twenty public university, but it can't just be a statistic. The
university has to embody those principles and address issues of racism
in an open manner.
*Ron: *What has been the ad hoc response of the students? The
administration? Faculty and staff?
*Rayyan:*The President of the University, President Mote, released a
statement to the campus community on September 8--excerpts are pasted below:
To Members of the University Community:
The University of Maryland is proud of its great diversity and deeply
committed to the right of all members of our family to work and live in
an environment in which they feel safe, and respected. The recent report
of a hate crime, which is now under investigation by our Department of
Public Safety, is of great concern. The possibility that this act
appears intended to bring to mind the horrific crime of lynching, which
is such a terrible and tragic part of our nation's past, is particularly
abhorrent.
The University of Maryland will not tolerate discrimination, harassment
or acts of hate. All members of our community should be aware that
incidents that run counter to our inclusiveness should be reported to
one of the offices listed at the end of this letter.
I know that I speak for the entire University of Maryland community in
saying that we are dismayed at this possible hate crime. We know that
the successful investigation of this act and the apprehension of those
responsible will be greatly assisted by members of the campus community
who come forward with information.
I thank the campus community for standing in unity against the spirit
and execution of such acts.
C. D. Mote, Jr.
President
The student response has been incredible. The Black Student Union has
played an amazing leadership role in organizing the campus against the
hate crime. As a campus community, we cannot give them enough credit
for their response to this incident. Yesterday, the BSU held a town
hall meeting at which over 200 students attended (it was held right in
Nyumburu). There were people of all genders, races, and backgrounds
attending in solidarity with the people of color on the campus in a
united fight against racism. And today there will be a speak-out at the
Cole Field House.
The International Socialist Organization along with other student groups
including Community Roots and Feminism without Borders initiated a
petition/statement regarding the hate crime. We had the statement
published in today's op-ed section of the Diamondback
(http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/2007/09/11/Opinion/Strength.In.Our.Colors-2959742.shtml).
In addition, we tabled for an hour on Monday, requesting signatures for
the petition, and received over 80 signatures--that includes
endorsements from professors/faculty on campus! And as important side
note, have received solidarity statements from individuals outside of
the campus community, including George Washington University's Allied in
Pride, the GW chapter of the Campus Anti-war Network, and D.C.
Anti-racist Action.
People are angry and upset, and recognize the racism is no longer
socially acceptable in society. However, more than recognizing it, we
need to have an organizational expression for that anger so that we can
use our numbers and voices to effectively combat racism on this campus
and around the country.
*Ron: *What organized response has their been? What is anticipated in
the future?
*Rayyan: *Apart from the incredible response of the Black Student Union
and the various groups initiating the petition, there is set to be a
speak out today at 6 p.m. at the Cole Field House. Everyone is invited
to come and encouraged to attend.
We need to recognize the importance in rebuilding a principled
anti-racist movement in this country that stands with the Jena Six, that
stands with the Black and Brown people of this country and around the
world in their fight against racism. As an Arab-American, a daughter of
immigrants, and solidarity activist, I recognize the same images of the
noose on campus as another representation of the torture chambers at Abu
Ghraib--as another representation of the racist occupation of Middle
Eastern lands.
I also see the Administration continue to use racism to pit the ordinary
people of this country against undocumented workers from Latin America
who are fighting to survive in a world that arbitrarily declares human
beings illegal. We need to fight against racism wherever it rears its
ugly head, by building a principled movement that connects the fight for
Black and Brown people at home with the fight against the war abroad.
*Ron: *As you know, there was another racial attack regarding a noose
recently in Jena, Louisiana. What do these occurrences represent to
you? Is this type of racism coming back or do you consider them to be
harmful but isolated incidents?
*Rayyan: *It is not a coincidence that two days after a successful
"Justice for the Jena 6" solidarity rally at Howard University a noose
was found hanging at the University of Maryland. The reality is that
despite the massive gains made by the Civil Rights and Black Power
movements, racism is very much alive today. In addition, there is a
polarization in society--the people who support such bigotry are on the
defensive because those of us who are anti-racists have made it clear
that we will not tolerate racist injustice in any form. That means that
when they come out with their nooses (in Jena, and in CP), we need to
make it absolutely clear that they are not welcome. We need to make
sure that these racists are no longer comfortable in expressing such
violent behavior.
*Ron: *Is there anything else you want to say? Can those of us not at
the university help in any way? What about alumni?
*Rayyan: *It is important to remember that we can absolutely end racism,
but we need to stand united in that fight. The ordinary people of this
country have nothing to gain from the continuation of racist violence.
Because racism is an ongoing issue in this country, alum and community
members should express their solidarity wherever they can by actively
organizing---whether its within their communities or their work places.
Ultimately, we are here to say that, "It is no longer acceptable to be
racist." We're angry that we walk onto our campuses only to see lynch
nooses hanging from trees. So, let's organize around that anger. And
let's talk about building a sustained movement--that welcomes all
peoples, colors, genders, and orientations--a movement that calls for an
end racism once and for all. Let's make it known that we stand WITH the
people of color around the country, and AGAINST vile racist injustice.
//
/(Black Student Union organizers were contacted for this piece but were
unable to respond before this piece was submitted. Also, some of the
charges have been reduced in Jena 6 the case.)/
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_______________________________________________
Mellon Myers Undegraduate Fellowship Program at Macalester (http://macmmuf.org)
[email protected]
http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html
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