Geneseo students have always been advocates for social justice, and many support the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.
The BLM movement, which aims to combat discrimination and racism against Black individuals, picked up momentum after the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. In response, Geneseo students painted the “Greek” tree in Sturges Quad in support of BLM; however, the artwork was covered up twice with patriotic writing to invalidate the BLM movement.
Many Geneseo students were distraught by the recurring defacing of the BLM artwork and sought consequences from the administration. Although student activists re-painted the tree both times, President Denise Battles’ response was to place an indefinite moratorium on the “Greek” tree and the rock on North Campus. Once more, the BLM artwork was painted over, this time by the school itself to a neutral slate, according to an email from April 1 from the Office of the President.
The BLM mural represented the importance of social justice in the Geneseo community. In the past, Geneseo students have organized many walks for social justice issues, including racial, LGBTQ+ and environmental issues. Recently, there was a protest to stop hate toward the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
There have also been petitions and presentations made by students meant to educate and create change, such as the annual Diversity Summit each March. Failure to preserve the BLM mural tells BIPOC students that the administration does not care about them. It also tells the student body that their voices do not matter.
In order to prove these negative sentiments wrong, the Geneseo administration must create a permanent BLM memorial on campus in order to show their support for BIPOC students and social justice. While a committee was formed and tasked with discussing these back in November, there have been no updates, especially since the most recent re-painting.
It’s not enough to have a sign that states Geneseo strives to be “a community that respects difference and promotes a sense of inclusion and belonging” next to the “Greek” tree. A direct symbol in support of the BLM movement is necessary to create an accepting environment for everyone.
In an email sent to the student body on April 12, Battles stated, “students are working with the Office of Student Life to create memorial artwork dedicated to victims of racial violence and injustice. It will be displayed temporarily in the Kinetic Gallery within the MacVittie College Union while a more permanent location is explored.” It seems as if this memorial would not have happened if not for all the pressure from students.
“This is in addition to the racial justice mural project that Xiara Colon of Student Association has been coordinating,” Battles continued in her email. It’s clear that without student initiative, social justice issues wouldn’t get nearly as much recognition on campus. The administration should grow and learn to support people of all cultures, ethnicities and identities, without the pressure and guidance of Geneseo students.