Race & RefoRm at Penn State - Townnews
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Vol. 121, No. 10 Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020
Race & Reform
at
Penn State
This summer, racial injustices that have existed for centuries made
headlines on national and local levels. In response, millions of people
stood against racism and pushed for change.
And many continue pushing for change. At Penn State and in State
College, community members have used their voices to combat
racism and advocate for equality.
This edition highlights just a few of those voices.
Graphic by Kaleigh Quinnan
Page 2 | Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020 The Daily Collegian
The Daily Collegian RACE & REFORM Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020 | Page 3
Addressing UPUA’s history of racism
By Christina Baker she said was “very upsetting”
The Daily Collegian and “its own form of racism.”
Often, Pathickal said, when she
In 2019, Edred Richardson or other representatives of color
joined the University Park Un- would talk about their experi-
dergraduate Association’s 14th ences with racism, a white rep-
Assembly as its first-ever Black resentative would try to question,
Caucus representative. minimize or dismiss their
The 14th Assembly was the concerns.
most diverse in UPUA’s his- Jeong said her efforts to bond
tory, with roughly 50% of the with fellow representatives were
representatives being students of often rebuffed, leaving her “hurt.”
color. Between the unwelcoming en-
It was also almost completely vironment and UPUA’s reputa-
segregated, according to past tion for being racist, Jeong said
and present UPUA representa-
she often feels embarrassed to
tives.
say she is part of UPUA.
Although the creation of
“The reason why I keep putting
UPUA’s “community represen-
myself in UPUA,” Jeong said, “[is
tative” seats — positions repre-
senting large, identity-based stu- that] I feel like it’s a duty for me
dent organizations — had nearly as a person of color to stand up
universal support, Richardson for my peers.”
Noah Riffe/Collegian
said the move inflamed already- According to Pathickal and
existing tensions within UPUA, McKay, UPUA’s leadership was
one who didn’t support it a white placards around so they would be Alexander Wu, the current aware of the assembly’s prob-
creating a toxic experience for supremacist.” seated randomly, but Miller said APIDA Caucus representative
community representatives lems with race. The topic came
Richardson and Sarabok, who the white representatives just who was then serving as the
themselves. up multiple times in meetings of
both graduated in May 2020, moved their placards back. representative for the College of
Now, a year and a half later — the Steering Committee, which
said by the time the community Because McKay was the chair Arts and Architecture, said he
in the 15th Assembly, the second includes the president and vice
representatives joined the 14th of the Governmental Affairs didn’t notice the racial divide at
to have the community represen- Assembly, the already-existing president, directors of major
Committee in the 14th Assembly, all and did not feel excluded.
tative seats — the change pro- representatives were generally he was required to sit at the front Beyond the seating arrange- executive departments, the chief
vides a lesson in the drawbacks enthusiastic about the idea. of the room, and he said the UPUA ments, no one interviewed for this justice, the speaker of the as-
and benefits that diversity can However, that enthusiasm leadership discouraged him from story denied the existence of what sembly and the chairs of every
bring to an organization. didn’t always extend to the com- interfering with the seating current Speaker of the Assem- committee.
The process to create com- munity representatives them- arrangements. bly Steven Zhang described as At one point during the 14th
munity representative seats, ac- selves, according to Richardson “I would have found a way to “systemic racism” within Assembly, McKay created an
cording to former Speaker of the and Genevievre Miller, a Black mingle throughout the UPUA, UPUA — and nearly every informal survey about the inter-
Assembly Tom Sarabok, was ini- at-large representative in the to help bridge that divide a little representative of color had a sto- nal climate of UPUA and asked
tially a difficult one. 14th Assembly. bit,” McKay said. “And I was ex- ry to tell. representatives to complete it so
During the 13th Assembly, Miller, who graduated in May plicitly asked not to.” At times, Miller said she felt he could present it to his fellow
members of Black Caucus, Latino 2020, said it was immediately Richardson said seating all the personally targeted by white Steering Committee members.
Caucus and Asian Pacific Island- clear to her that her UPUA expe- representatives of color together representatives. The survey asked represen-
er Desi-American Caucus came rience would be “terrible.” provided the benefit of strength She was UPUA’s liaison to the tatives to rate how much they
to UPUA’s open student forum ev- Miller said she had been in numbers when they had to State College Borough Council, felt welcomed, how much they
ery week to try to persuade rep- friendly with some white repre- advocate against legislation that and sometimes white represen- felt there was a divide between
resentatives that the seats were sentatives during her campaign, would have had disproportionate tatives would bypass her to try to personal and professional rela-
important. and she sat with them during her effects on non-white students. influence the council members, tionships within the assembly,
Current UPUA Vice President first UPUA meeting. “It’s hard getting that across,” she said. and whether they felt they could
Lexy Pathickal, who at the time “And I remember being com- Richardson said. “So we kind “I was almost seen as not able report concerns to UPUA lead-
was among the students push- pletely ignored,” Miller said. of found solidarity within each to do my job,” Miller said. “I had ership without facing retaliation,
ing for change, remembered be- “Almost like, ‘You should not be other.” a lot of people step on my toes among other questions.
ing upset that it was taking so on this side of the room.’” Sarabok said he felt the divide [who] shouldn’t have, that are No one outside of the Steering
long to enact what she felt was a UPUA meetings took place in in the assembly wasn’t necessar- still in UPUA today. They were Committee ever saw the results
common-sense reform. a room with a big aisle running ily racial. Rather, the tensions able to say whatever they wanted
By the time the seats came to of the survey, which Zhang (ju-
through the middle, and after were between representatives to say, or just overstep and try to
a vote on the floor, Sarabok said, nior-economics and political sci-
that day, the assembly became who had been serving in UPUA take control of my position.”
“it was pretty much unanimous.” ence) said was very frustrating to
nearly perfectly split. Represen- for years and newer represen- Nearly every representative
However, current UPUA Presi- representatives of color.
tatives of color sat on one side of tatives who wanted structural of color interviewed said they
dent Zachary McKay said he the aisle, Miller said, and white change. had felt tokenized at some point, McKay said when he present-
suspected some representatives representatives sat on the other. He said because UPUA had including Pathickal, who joined ed the survey during a Steering
voted in favor of community seats “We stuck to ourselves, but been so white for so long, most UPUA during the 14th Assem- Committee meeting, it didn’t
because they were worried about it wasn’t like we just pushed people of color fell in the latter bly as the chair of the Outreach yield “a very comprehensive dis-
the optics of doing otherwise. ourselves to be by ourselves,” category. Committee. cussion.”
“I think a lot of people wanted Miller said. “It was kind of forced Pathickal, McKay and former “At times, I questioned, ‘Am I According to McKay, 39.1% of
to vote ‘yes’ because it would upon us to be together.” APIDA Caucus representative in this role for my qualities and respondents to the survey felt
have looked bad to vote ‘no,’” According to Pathickal (senior- Yoo-Jin Jeong agreed that repre- my experience, or is it more be- they could raise concerns to
McKay (senior-economics) said. political science), committee sentatives’ political beliefs were a cause I’m being tokenized?” UPUA leadership without fear of
“Especially when, for example, meetings often had the same factor in the divisions, but Jeong Pathickal said. personal or professional
the Black Caucus has showed divisions. (junior-health policy and admin- On some occasions, other rep- repercussions.
up in numbers, verbally support- At one point, UPUA leader- istration) said race still played a resentatives called Pathickal a Visit collegian.psu.edu to read
ing it, [and] frankly calling any- ship moved the representatives’ role that could not be ignored. “white” person of color, which the full story.
Inside UPUA’s efforts to combat racism
By Megan Swift in which UPUA is trying to be “That was just step one of international politics and his- representatives of color would
The Daily Collegian “anti-racist,” starting with free making sure we have tory) said. “There’s no way to know there is “a process”
six-hour anti-racism train- representation on campus,” guarantee people watched all they could go through if they
The University Park Under- ing through the Diversity and Zhang said. “The big thing about of the lessons; it was entirely experience racism within UPUA.
graduate Association’s 15th Resiliency Institute of El Paso. this year’s administration and their prerogative to absorb that Another change Pathickal said
Assembly is working to combat She explained that all members leadership [is we’re] commit- information.” the organization is trying to make
internal racism within the orga- must complete the training and ted to making sure we are being Rodriquez said he hopes is to establish an “election code.”
nization after receiving allega- inform UPUA leadership after inclusive.” the training wasn’t seen as “We’re hoping that something
tions of racism from representa- they have done so. Zhang said the assembly “another homework assign- might be implemented as part of
tives of color. “[The course] goes through is working to find both short- ment,” but rather that it “stuck the requirement for people to run
Lexy Pathickal, the vice allyship and social awareness,” term and long-term solutions to with” a lot of members. for UPUA election like diversity
president of UPUA, said that Steven Zhang, the speaker of “discourage discrimination” “As a representative, it’s your training,” Zhang said. “We really
many of the assembly’s repre- the assembly, said. “[It helps within the organization. The duty to represent the entirety want to make sure we have a firm
sentatives of color “haven’t felt members understand] these anti-racism training was part of of Penn State,” Rodriguez said. structure for the future.”
welcome.” prejudices and how [they] can UPUA’s short-term solution, he “I’m hoping we can practice what Pathickal said the Ad Hoc
“There’s a lot more pressure speak out against them.” added. we learned in these lessons [be- Committees — groups within the
on them representing their com- Zhang (junior-economics and “No way is this tackling all of cause] it’s still your duty to pro- executive, legislative and judicial
munities,” Pathickal (senior-po- political science) said UPUA has the issues, but it’s a good starting tect and advocate for communi- branches of UPUA often focused
litical science) said. “It’s actually historically been a “predomi- point to promote further conver- ties, no matter how small.” on a specific task — have been
impossible for one person to do nantly white” organization, and sations and awareness,” Zhang Rodriguez said one of the new discussing implementing anti-
that for their entire community.” he believes this has contributed said. “Almost all members have duties of his job on the Justice racism training and workshop re-
She said after allegations of to “a lot of animosity” against the completed [the training].” and Equity Committee is to en- quirements for members to com-
racism were made against UPUA organization. Though he said it’s hard to sure that diversity, equity and plete before they’re able to run in
and some members, she was “Many have joined the UPUA “pinpoint” the effectiveness of inclusion are “brought into every elections.
able to gain “more insight” into and left because they don’t feel the anti-racism training because conversation” during UPUA These changes, Pathickal
what members of UPUA were it’s a welcoming environment,” of the coronavirus pandemic, meetings. said, are currently on track to be
feeling, which inspired part of her Zhang said. “Advocacy and Zhang plans to hold one-on-one “There’s a lot of deep-rooted
implemented during this school
platform during her campaign empathy are very important for sessions with representatives to distrust of the UPUA, and we’re
year.
with UPUA President Zachary people to understand each other.” better gauge the effectiveness. actively trying to fix that,” Ro-
“By the end of the fall or by the
McKay. Zhang said he believes that “We haven’t received any driguez said. “There’s been in-
beginning of the spring, [we’re
“During our campaign, we ran though the allegations of racism complaints,” Zhang said. cremental progress over the
hoping] to come together as a
on the fact that we wanted to in UPUA’s past are “valid,” the Najee Rodriguez, the chair of years, but we’re pushing it over
the edge; this is kind of a turning large collective unit and get ev-
create an inclusive environment, organization “made really big the Justice and Equity Commit-
point.” ery idea across,” Pathickal said.
change the atmosphere and progress two years ago” by tee for UPUA, said the anti-racism
In addition to implementing “We have a session every spring
make it more open,” Pathickal adding community group seats for training helped bring awareness
anti-racism training for everyone to go through the election code,
said. “Everything that has hap- cultural caucuses on campus. to the organization about “the
pened [since we were elected] in UPUA, UPUA leadership has constitution and bylaws.”
Community groupseats issues that are so prevalent in
has made us question our leader- been holding bi-weekly meetings Zhang said UPUA is hoping
allow for various identity- our society.”
ship.” on the “Racial Healing Hand- to implement UPUA-wide town
based organizations to be “It’s important that those
book” to talk about “personal halls to “drill these issues home”
represented within UPUA and who don’t fall into those
What UPUA has done act as liaisons between UPUA communities see what it’s experiences of racism” and talk in the future.
more introspectively on the sub- “I like to be candid about these
Pathickal spoke about the ways and their respective groups. like,” Rodriguez (sophomore-
ject, according to Zhang. issues; there’s no need for racism
He explained the long-term in UPUA’s history to be covered
plans for UPUA to eliminate up,” Zhang said. “I don’t believe
internal racism will be more in this being some sort of damage
“structural,” so that people “feel control. I want my leadership to
comfortable speaking out.” be committed to this.”
“[We want to] make sure Pathickal said if there isn’t a
every single assembly in the more “robust system” in place
future has some of the tools to to “keep racism out of UPUA”
understand the issues and ac- before she and McKay graduate,
tively fight against racism,” she knows other representatives
Zhang said. “As long as we have a in the organization would contin-
framework there, we can actively ue the work to make sure a sys-
promote anti-racism in future as- tem is implemented in the future.
semblies.” “Being actively anti-racist is
not an easy thing to do — it’s go-
What UPUA plans to do ing to be a long term [with] a lot
Pathickal said one of the institu- of uncomfortable conversations,”
tional changes the 15th Assembly Pathickal said. “At the end of the
is trying to implement is a hear- day, it needs to be done.”
Collegian File Photo
ing process in the judicial board
Members of the caucuses in favor of the legislation to put three new community representative seats in UPUA for instances of racism within the To email reporter: mfs5761@psu.edu.
celebrate the passing with a vote of 39-1 during the UPUA meeting on Wednesday Oct. 3, 2018. organization. This way, she said Follow her on Twitter at @mgswift7.
Page 4 | Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020 RACE & REFORM The Daily Collegian
Indigenous faculty, staff on heritage
By Melissa Manno band of Ojibwe. She said one of
The Daily Collegian the biggest challenges of being an
Indigenous person at a predomi-
Although less than 1% of Penn nately white institution is the lack
State’s total population is Native of representation.
American — including students, “I would say we are sort of
faculty and staff — Indigenous invisible,” Pletcher said. “We
professors and staff have found a aren’t touted as a minority, but
community with each other and we’re almost like the forgotten
aim to create change. minority because there’s such a
Julie Reed is an associate pro- small number of us.”
fessor of history in the College of Pletcher said she hasn’t en-
the Liberal Arts and is a citizen dured many obstacles at Penn
of the Cherokee Nation. Growing State, but said there is ignorance
up, Reed said she had no interest at the local level, which is demon-
in education or history because strated by Bellefonte Area High
of the way it was taught in the School’s “Red Raider” mascot.
classroom. Pletcher is also actively in-
“I didn’t see the kinds of people volved in campus movements to
that interested me throughout gain exposure and representa-
history being reflected back to me tion for Indigenous communities,
in what I was learning — whether Noah Riffe/Collegian
including implementing a land
that be women, Native Americans Old Main’s former bell sits in front of Old Main in University Park, Pennsylvania, on Friday, Aug. 21. acknowledgement statement.
or African Americans,” Reed She said she hopes these efforts
said. “I wanted to understand it’s easy for Pennsylvanians to from around the whole country, shaped our own ideas of what it
forget that Native people still ex- so we need to think about what meant to be Cherokee.” will help boost Indigenous enroll-
why their lives existed the way it
ist and are diverse, and that there responsibility we have to those For Reed, being Cherokee ment for students, faculty and
did, and how people have come to
are still living descendants of the communities as well,” Reed said. means honoring the sacrifices staff and put Penn State on the
be who they are today.”
people who originally settled on “Penn State wouldn’t be able her ancestors made to keep her map in terms of awareness.
Prior to arriving at Penn State,
this land.” to fund itself in certain kinds community alive today. Associate Professor of Educa-
Reed worked for eight years at
Reed said one of the biggest of ways without the continual “There were numerous sacri- tion Hollie Kulago is of the Diné
the University of Tennessee,
challenges she has faced is get- dispossession of Native people.” fices made over generations so — also known as the Navajo Na-
which is near the land her an-
ting people to recognize the In- Reed’s Cherokee father served that the Cherokee nation could tion located in the southwest
cestors were removed from, so
she said it felt like home in a way. digenous land in Pennsylvania — in the Air Force, so she became still exist, and it’s my responsibil- United States. She grew up on the
Penn State, on the other hand, did more specifically, State College. accustomed to moving around ity as a Cherokee person to kind reservation and saw early on the
not feel like home. She, along with several other throughout her childhood. Sum- of acknowledge and understand power education held.
“Even though there’s only a Native Americans at Penn State, mers were spent in Oklaho- all those sacrifices,” Reed said, “Education was used to get rid
few Native students, faculty and are working on a land acknowl- ma, not far from the Cherokee “but also to honor them by mak- of our language and to strip us of
staff at Penn State, we’re creat- edgement that would recognize Nation’s jurisdictional area. ing sure the Cherokee nation and our way of being and knowing,
ing a Native community — which Indigenous tribes as the original Growing up, her father had a people continue to exist and have and it was powerful in disrupting
is good — but most of us are also stewards of Penn State’s land. complicated relationship with a place in this world for more a lot of things,” Kulago said. “But
probably grappling with our own “Beyond acknowledging the his Indigenous heritage due to generations to come.” we’re still here. We still exist, and
communities being so far away,” land and saying we recognize his parent’s separation, Reed She also emphasized that there we’re still working to revive and
Reed said. “For those of us that the people who lived here, we said, as he was discouraged is not one single way to be Chero- strengthen our nations and ways
have strong ties to our home need to go a step further to form from spending time with his own kee, and that it’s an extremely of knowing and languages.
communities, that can be relationships with these commu- Cherokee family at a young age. diverse nation. Kulago said she decided to
particularly hard.” nities today that isn’t about ‘let She said this had a “profound im- “To suggest to Native people pursue education because she
According to the National Con- us help you,’ so much as ‘what pact on his own relationship to who haven’t had a chance to live wanted to “center Indigenous
ference of State Legislatures, can we partner on together to understanding who he was as a on their homelands because of knowledge and put value back
Pennsylvania is one of 13 states make Penn State a better place, Cherokee.” conditions beyond their control into the language.” As a profes-
without any federally recog- not just as an institution, but “My dad was born in 1943, when that they are somehow less In- sor in the College of Education,
nized tribes, and one of 12 states as a good citizen in terms of its there were policies of termination dian is wrong, and it ignores the she’s also done research on a va-
without a commission or office responsibility to those that came and relocation forming, which you history that led to those condi- riety of Indigenous topics, such as
dedicated to Native American before it.’” don’t need to know much about tions,” Reed said. “The legacies teacher education certification,
issues. According to High Country to know those words don’t sound of colonialism don’t allow every- family, school and community
“The dispossession of Native News, Penn State’s 780,000-acre good,” Reed said. “I was born in one to have the same relationship relationships.
people in Pennsylvania is real and grant “came from the homelands the 70s, when we were in an era of to language, land, family, kin and “The university is a very white
deep, so there isn’t a core group of more than 112 tribes” and “is self-determination where it was history.” institution, so there are specific
around which to have larger con- connected to 50 land cessions cool to be Indian, and there was College of Agricultural Sci- ways of knowing that are valued,”
versations about Native people cast across 16 states.” a lot of revitalization happening ences Administrative Assistant Kulago said.
and their presence today,” Reed “This university benefitted within communities. Being born Kathryn Pletcher is an enrolled Visit collegian.psu.edu to read
said. “Because of this, I think from the dispossession of people in those two different moments member of the Lake Superior the full story.
Committee honors King’s legacy
By Quincey Reese Language of the Unheard.” “I don’t think you can com-
The Daily Collegian “MLK has a quote which talks memorate any part of the civil
about how ‘a riot is the language rights movement without hav-
The Penn State MLK Com- of the unheard,’ and how a riot ing an understanding of your
memoration Student Committee and rioters in general are not current climate, as well,” Ashe
is seeking to show the commu- responsible for riots,” Ashe said. said.
nity a more complete picture of “What’s actually responsible for Campus and Community
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s be- riots is demands ignored.” Events Co-Director Jordan Dia-
liefs, as well as how they apply to For this reason, Ashe said the mond said another influence
the current Black Lives Matter committee found it important to behind the committee’s theme
movement. show the Penn State community choice was “the feeling of annoy-
The committee consists of that King understood that vio- ing repetitiveness” the group
eight directors, and focuses on lence signifies a greater injustice noticed after considering Graphic by Grace Miller/Collegian
planning a week of commemora- has been done.
Examining the Black,
the current state of society
tive events in honor of King that Ashe added she found it in- regarding race.
begin on MLK Day — the third teresting that President Donald “A Black person [could be]
Monday of January — each year. Trump used the phrase “radical
white health disparity
shot or murdered and then
To divide the planning evenly, revolution” in a negative con- people will just say, ‘Oh yeah,
there are four separate groups of notation during the first 2020 police brutality isn’t a thing,’ or
directors: campus and commu- presidential debate. you get into the conversation of
nity events, public relations, Day “Donald Trump actually used ‘What was their record? What By Madigan Lubold of healthy foods in low-income
of Service and Evening Celebra- the words ‘radical revolution’ in were they doing?’” Diamond The Daily Collegian areas is an example of a social
tion. Each of these subcategories a negative way to sort of describe (senior-psychology and politi- determinant that leads to health
has two co-directors, except for what liberals — or whatever he cal science) said. “And that kind Stress that institutionalized disparities.
public relations. said — are looking for, and he’s of takes away from the story of racism places on the shoulders Adam Douglas, a member of
Executive Director Makayla right,” Ashe said. “What a lot of what actually happened, be- of Black citizens in America is the Black Male Leadership Sym-
Ashe said the group picks a people want is a reconstruction cause all of those other things one of the biggest causes of the posium, said there are a multi-
theme to base its events around of this country as we understand don’t matter in that moment health disparity between Black tude of reasons why the health
each year. it, and we wanted to incorporate when that person no longer can and white people, according to disparity between Black and
The week starts with a Day of that.” speak or say anything about that Kianna Bingham, the president white Americans exists.
Service, an event Evening Cel- situation.” of Penn State’s National Council The disparity could be attrib-
in which par- ebration Co-Di- of Negro Women. uted to the community in which
ticipants gather
“I don’t think you rector Uchenna
In terms of preparing for com-
The stress Bingham (junior- one lives, or the social stigma
memoration week, Ashe said
to volunteer at can commemorate Nwodim said political science and African that Black people refuse medi-
the committee usually relies on
various local any part of the civil some individuals American studies) experiences cal assistance, according to
the “groundwork” laid by the
venues for the misunderstand every day as a Black woman at- Douglas (freshman-business
previous year’s directors. This
day. After a cou- rights movement King’s stance tending a predominantly white management).
year, however, Ashe said the
ple of mid-week without having an on riots and vio- institution has led her to take Douglas said white people
group can’t do this because of
events organized lence, which is on a double major and a double are more cautious and sensitive
the limitations presented by the
by the campus understanding of why they look minor, she said. when it comes to seeking medi-
coronavirus pandemic. “I don’t have the liberty of
and community your current cli- down upon peo- cal attention and health care —
Ashe added that the group being average. I don’t have the whereas in the Black community,
events directors, ple who speak out
the week closes mate, as well.” in these ways. doesn’t know what the guide- privilege of being normal,” Bing- they are taught to be more “rigid
out with the Eve- “I feel like lines will be in January, so it has ham said. “I have to be better and tough.”
ning Celebration. Makayla Ashe over the sum- to design multiple versions of its than my white peers in order to “There is no ‘I think I have
Here, a speaker Executive Director mer, there was a events — one that accounts for be recognized.” depression,’” Douglas said. “It’s
gives a lec- lot of commen- restrictions to virtual events, an- Bingham said it’s “rare” to more along the lines of, ‘I guess I
ture, followed by an open tary saying ‘this isn’t what MLK other that allows for in-person see a Black student with only need to figure out how to be hap-
discussion of the speaker’s topic. would want,’ and I think people gatherings and a final one for one major in college. py,’ rather than seeking help and
According to Ashe (senior-sta- need to understand that MLK the possibility of mixed-mode According to Sheldon Fields, receiving medication.”
tistics), the committee spent a lot lived through a lot of events activities. the associate dean for equity and Douglas’s mother is a health
of time brainstorming this year’s of political turmoil,” Nwodim “In order to make any of this inclusion in the College of Nurs- care worker, so he and his fam-
theme when it began planning (senior-political science) said. work in a virtual space, you kind ing, a health disparity is the dif- ily are more aware of health and
after the 2020 spring semester Adding to this, Nwodim said of have to have a plan A, plan ference in access to health care well-being, he said.
wrapped. Co-directors read the she does not find it fair for people B, plan C,” Ashe said. “It re- due to institutionalized racism “If it wasn’t for my mother, my
book “Misremembering Dr. King: to bring King “into the future” quires even more than it has in and social determinants such as dad wouldn’t take us to the hospi-
Revisiting the Legacy of Martin and assume he would think or act previous years.” socioeconomic background. tal unless our limbs were falling
Luther King Jr.” to help them a certain way. Rather, she said Based on current coronavirus Equality in health care is a off,” Douglas said.
decide a proper course of action. people should respect what he protocol and restrictions, Ashe “fantasy,” he said. He also said it’s unfortunate
In addition to creating a smooth did and said during his lifetime, said the committee is focus- “Institutionalized racism is because research, word of mouth
transition from last year’s theme and translate those messages ing on planning virtual events very real,” Fields said. “It is and who you surround yourself
of “The Story of U.S.: Exposing into the context of today. while keeping in mind the pos- based on people’s lived experi- with clouds perceptions about
the Unarmed Truth,” Ashe said Nwodim said the committee sibility of incorporating optional, ences, and there’s a big differ- health, and at a young age, dif-
the committee wanted to take wanted to make these points clear in-person components later. ence in access to [health care ferent communities instil certain
into account the riots and pro- to the Penn State community and According to Diamond, the services.]” beliefs about health.
tests in support of the Black Lives capitalize on the fact that people committee is utilizing the vir- Fields has researched the Overall, he said white commu-
Matter movement that occurred have been paying closer attention tual format to host events prior disparities in health care and nities more often acknowledge
this past summer after the death to the Black Lives Matter move- to commemoration week. These worked as a policy adviser for a how to manage health than Black
of George Floyd in Minneapolis. ment, which is a big part of what include a debate series inspired senator who helped pass the Af- communities, and are able to
Ashe said the group took notice led them to this year’s theme. by the upcoming presidential fordable Care Act, according to implement ways to do so.
of individuals who criticized pro- Ashe said it is essential for the election, a movie screening a Penn State News release. It is stressful to be Black in
testors and rioters for taking a committee to “think critically of the film “Cooked: Survival There are certain areas of America, Fields said, and this
violent course of action, ultimate- about the moment” the world is by Zip Code” and an event to the country where the access stress places the body in a flight
ly deciding to speak out against in, while continuing the tradition promote voter registration. to affordable and healthy food is or fight mode.
through the theme “Radical of discussing King’s legacy each Visit collegian.psu.edu to limited or nonexistent, accord- Visit collegian.psu.edu to read
Revolution: Speaking the year. read the full story. ing to Fields. He said this lack the full story.
The Daily Collegian race & reform Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020 | Page 5
Black Caucus president advocates for change
By Kyle Hutchinson “In the months that she’s been to do their hair with or get the “Everyone knows about THON student to create an informal
The Daily Collegian
As the world has watched
and participated in movements
against racial injustice, many
have realized the importance of
amplifying the voices of students
of color.
One of those voices advocating
for change is Nyla Holland, the
president of Penn State’s Black
Caucus.
Born and raised in Philadel-
phia with her older sister and
three younger siblings, Holland
(senior-political science and Af-
rican American studies) said she
originally sought a degree in kine-
siology before shifting her studies
to political science and African
American studies.
“I’ve always been passionate
about social justice, and I wanted
to help people that look like me
that are in worse circumstances,”
Holland said. “I wanted to be a
part of doing that.”
In the early days at Penn State,
Holland joined Black Caucus.
Noah Riffe/Collegian
She’s been with the organization
ever since, serving as the politi- Nyla Holland, president of Black Caucus, poses for a portrait at Old Main Lawn on Oct. 9.
cal action chair on the executive
board her freshman year, secre- president and considering how comforts of food like home.” because the university advertises survey that focused on some of
tary sophomore and junior years hectic this year has been overall, I She also said that too often, it out there, and Homecoming the problems she said are dispro-
and president this year. can genuinely say she’s been one Black voices are tokenized at and organizations that have such portionately affecting students of
“I had gone to a few other or- of the few people that we can look Penn State. strong foundations in the com- color during the pandemic.
ganizations’ meetings, but [Black to for inspiration,” Kume said. “Certain students will use the munity,” Holland said. “Amplify “Black students and other stu-
Caucus] felt different,” Holland At Penn State, Black professors same voices for campaigns and the voices of the Black Caucus dents of color are more likely to
said. “It was in this room, we all only make up 3.9% of all profes- reuse them all around without and other resources for Black experience homelessness, food
sat around a table, so everyone sors. Black students account for giving them the proper support students here.” insecurity, [and are] less likely
felt like they had somewhat of an 4.3% of the undergraduate popu- or seeing what other talent there Black Caucus member De- to have a quiet place to study, vi-
equal part of the organization.” lation, despite making up 13% of is out there,” Holland said. Andre Malcolm said Holland’s able internet access — all of the
She said the organization the general population. She also expressed con- determination and activism rep- things that can help make you a
gave her a big opportunity to Holland said to better amplify cern with how some Black stu- resents the organization and its successful student,” Holland said.
get to know people and befriend Black voices, funding and effort dents have faced microaggres- community well. These issues can only be made
students at the university. from the university is needed. sions from counselors working “She is equipped with new worse if Penn State goes remote
“The mission of Black Cau- “[More fund- at Penn State’s means of advocacy and deter- because of the pandemic, Holland
cus is very powerful,” Holland ing put] into re- “I can genuinely Counseling and mination to address topics con- said.
said. “It brings together a com- cruiting Black Psychological Ser- cerning social justice and the “There are students who don’t
munity that can be very frag- students is im- say she’s been one vices. conditions of the students of have housing at home. Is there a
mented across the university, and portant, and of the few people “[Students of color at Penn State,” Malcolm way students can have an option
its history of making change is something I’ve color] should not (junior-public relations) said. to stay on campus, which some
something I could not pass up heard the admis- that we can look to have to deal with Malcolm has known Holland Black students may need, as well
on.” sions office does for inspiration.” that when they since joining the caucus, and said as food, and security?” Holland
As president, Holland has bi- not do enough are trying to avoid she is one of the hardest workers said. “They need to be taken care
weekly meetings focused on cre- of, as well as re- Michael Kume that in their class- he knows. of if we go online.”
ating an alumni network for Black tention of Black Black Caucus member rooms, residence “I’ve been able to witness her When searching for her own
Penn Staters, promotes mental students and halls or anywhere hard work and dedication to the strength, Holland said she looks
and physical health through the that there is else,” Holland organization and advocacy for to decorated tennis player Serena
organization’s “Get Fit” pro- enough financial aid and schol- said. Penn State students,” Malcolm Williams for inspiration.
gram, and strives to be more arship opportunities for them,” In response, CAPS said it said. Holland said Williams “is argu-
activist- and justice-oriented. Holland said. is committed to listening and With this summer’s news cycle ably one of the best athletes ever,”
Michael Kume, a member of Holland also noted a few things learning from marginalized being dominated by police shoot- and has persisted after enduring
the Black Caucus, spoke highly of the State College community communities. ings of Black Americans, many scrutiny and oppression.
Holland’s work ethic. could do to attract Black students. “We want to help students from people and organizations have “I think her life story is testa-
“I’ve known Nyla since my She said State College lacks marginalized communities be spoken out and up for racial ment to the resiliency, versatil-
freshman year here at Penn eateries that provide historically heard,” said Natalie Hernandez justice, including the university. ity and beauty of Black women,”
State, and she’s always been Black meals or food, as well as DePalma, CAPS assistant direc- Holland said she would like Holland said.
one of the most driven and goal- places for Black students to get tor for clinical services and for- to see a more consistent atti- Looking ahead, Holland said
oriented people I know,” Kume hair products or have their hair mer coordinator of multicultural tude toward Penn State’s Black she is committed to helping
(senior-chemical engineering) done. programs and services. “We are students, though. others, and hopes to work “in
said. “She genuinely invests her- Holland said she has to get her aware that we are only human, “We should not just hear out any capacity that improves the
self into whatever she’s doing, be friends to help with her hair at and at some points may not land Black students when things hit condition of Black and other
it her classes, extracurriculars or times. certain comments, but we are the fan like they did this summer, marginalized peoples.”
activism.” “It’s hard to sell [Black pro- committed to staying in the con- but make sure [the university “What I do know for certain is
While on the executive board spective students] with that. versation and helping with that will] consistently reach out to or- that I want to experience true joy
through the summer, Kume said Black students should feel repair.” ganizations and hear and work on in anything I end up doing.”
he saw firsthand her “ambition comfortable to live here,” Holland Holland said if Penn State their feedback — even when it’s
and devotion” to Black Caucus’s said. “They shouldn’t have to go “wants to push something,” it not popular,” Holland said. To email reporter: kkh5359@psu.edu.
improvement. back home in order to buy things “can find a way to do it.” Holland worked with another Follow him on Twitter at @kylehutchhutch.
Latino Caucus president aims for unity
Collegian Inc. James Building, 112 W. Foster Ave.
State College, PA 16801-3882 ©2020 Collegian Inc.
By Lilly Riddle State administrators on behalf and university support they need Similarly, Luis Otaño — La-
The Daily Collegian of the Latino student community to function. tino Caucus’s co-executive vice
— she also works to amplify the Andrade also said she wants to president — used two words
Board of Editors Nicole Andrade’s philosophy voices of Latino Caucus members hold administrators accountable to describe Andrade’s rela-
Editor in Chief as president of the Penn State themselves. for addressing demands made tionship with the organization:
Maddie Aiken Latino Caucus can essentially For students who have a tan- by the African American Studies
be summed up in five words: “no gible stake in issues currently “persistence” and “dedication.”
Managing Editor Department in a June 16 letter to
voice should go unheard.” facing the nation, Andrade said, a Penn State President Eric Bar- She always makes sure every-
Lindsey Toomer
Digital Managing Editor But she said that isn’t always lot of “emotional labor” gets put ron, as well as on a change.org one has a voice within the space
Shane Connelly an easy task for the leader of a into the caucus’s work. But she petition that amassed over 1,300 and within the room, and she ap-
News Editor 31-year-old organization that is believes each individual’s input signatures. plies all of that information she’s
Erin Hogge so wide-reaching, multifaceted makes the organization’s efforts The demands included sever- gathered to be the most efficient
Assistant News Editor and diverse. worthwhile. ing ties with local police forces, possible in terms of advocating
Grace Miller With eight executive board “I think the beauty of an orga- increasing aid for Black students to the administration,” Otaño
Sports Editor members, 15 delegate organiza- nization like this is we’re advocat- and establishing a resource cen- (junior-health policy and adminis-
Jake Aferiat tions and three committees, La- ing for these things not just be- ter for Black faculty — who made
tino Caucus has quickly evolved tration) said. “Right now we are
Assistant Sports Editor cause it looks good for us to do,” up just 3.9% of tenure-track pro-
into one of the most expansive Andrade said, “but it literally is working virtually, but that really
Gianna Galli fessors at University Park in 2018,
multicultural groups on campus. stuff that impacts us personally.” hasn’t stopped her or the overall
Football Editor according to a report released
“[Latino Caucus has] always But Andrade doesn’t want to by the department titled “More executive team.”
Benjamin Ferree
Lifestyle Editor
been focused on the betterment just unite members of the Latino Rivers to Cross.” But Latino Caucus doesn’t
of Latinx students. That’s the Caucus, which has collaborated Ultimately, Andrade said she just serve its members — it has
Becky Marcinko
purpose of the organization to with other caucuses on campus views Latino Caucus’s objectives helped Andrade as well, she said.
Assistant Lifestyle Editor
begin with,” Andrade (senior- — namely Black Caucus, Asian as “overlapping with, but not When she attended her first La-
Jade Campos
political science) said. “But over Pacific Islander Desi American overstepping” Black Caucus’s tino Caucus meeting the first
Opinion Editor time, I've seen how it puts ef- Caucus and the newly-formed
Ashley Hayford goals. month of her freshman year, An-
fort in to include all Latinx stu- Indigenous Peoples Student “As multicultural students,
Photo Editor dents… not just white Latinx Association. She wants to en- drade said it offered a “glimpse”
Lily LaRegina
we’ve got such small percent- into Penn State’s multicultural
students.” sure that campus resources ages population-wise on campus
Multimedia Editor Not only does Andrade, who available to BIPOC — Black, In- community.
that we've all got to support each
Jessica Cook is now in her second semester digenous and people of color — “It took some time for me to
other,” Andrade said. “The re-
Assistant Multimedia Editor as president, advocate to Penn students have the funding, staff realize that Latino Caucus is my
sources we have individually may
Ben McClary home away from home… because
be small… but when we put them
To contact News Division:
News, Opinions, Arts, Sports, Photo, Graphics, The
together, it can hopefully have a of the culture shock that myself
Daily Collegian Online and The Weekly Collegian bigger impact.” and other multicultural students
Phone: 814-865-1828 | Fax: 814-863-1126 Nebraska Hernandez (senior- get once we come to Penn State,”
geography) met Andrade when
Board of Managers he decided to help bring back
she said. “So from that, it became
a very special organization for
Business Manager the caucus’s bilingual newslet-
Sarah Andriano me, and the people within it have
ter, ¡OYE!. Hernandez is cur-
Vice President become like a special family to
rently the director of the group’s
Lilly Forsyth University Relations Committee. me.”
Advertising Manager For Hernandez, Andrade’s Editor's Note: The Collegian
Scott Witham leadership is about knowing follows AP style, which is a stan-
Creative Director there are people “working under- dard in the industry. AP style
Kaylyn McGrory neath her, but never seeing them uses the term “Latino” instead
Marketing Director as beneath her.” of “Latinx” when referring to ”a
Abigail Schucker “She’s always treated peo- person from, or whose ancestors
Business Insights Director ple… like equals, always hearing were from, a Spanish-speaking
Adam Rhoad other people’s opinions, mak- land or culture or from Latin
Sales Directors ing sure students know that she
America.” “Latinx” is sometimes
Lauren Kang & Quinn Connelly is the president, but it’s still a
collaborative effort,” Hernandez used as a gender-neutral term,
To contact Business Division:
Advertising, circulation, accounting and classifieds said. while Latino is traditionally
Phone: 814-865-2531 | Fax: 814-865-3848
Hernandez added that An- used to refer to groups of men or
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
James Riccardo/Collegian drade’s “compassionate and mixed gender.
Nicole Jara Andrade, president of Latino Caucus, poses for a portrait understanding” approach to the
on the steps of Old Main on Oct. 8. transition online made meeting To email reporter: lir5125@psu.edu.
over Zoom easier. Follow her on Twitter at @lilly_riddle.
Page 6 | Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020 race & reform The Daily Collegian
Puzzles How racism affects the
School of Theatre looking to create an additional
By Joshua Chu
The Daily Collegian code of conduct to clearly affirm
incidents like these would not be “To require us to be
On June 29, several posts acceptable. a human on stage.
were made on the @black_at_ In addition, staff were required
pennstate Instagram account to attend eight hours of diversity Our Blackness, of
detailing numerous racist inter- training planned by the school’s course, would come
actions and casting choices Black faculty of color before the fall
students had experienced with semester started.
with that, but it’s not
the School of Theatre. Lombardo said this training a requirement.. We
Many of these posts detailed included sessions on racial jus-
incidents of faculty and students tice, the history of racism in
haven’t gotten there
using racial slurs, inappropri- America and Black theater, a ses- yet.”
ately casting Black students and sion with faculty of color as well Jalen Martin
other students of color in shows, as breakout sessions about how Senior-acting
as well as a lack of accountabil- to bring “anti-racist practices” to
ity for students and faculty who the School of Theatre.
participated in racist behavior. Staff and students were also sent
team about why students were
One post detailed an incident a list of “suggested readings” to
opposed to the play.
where a vocal instructor grabbed provide the community a “shared
School of Theatre student
a Black woman’s hair asking groundwork in ways to look at
Ryaan Farhadi said there was
her “if it was real.” Another post race and ethnicity.”
claimed students in the school Lombardo also said he “too much” resistance and
create drama and scandals if a reminded students the university pushback from the creative
Black person is cast over a white has a “significant bias reporting team, even after students
student. system in place” and said stu- emphasized the show was
The combination of the dents “need to feel comfortable problematic, and they
Instagram posts as well as the also making a formal report largely did not want to
ongoing Black Lives Matter and taking whatever avenue is participate in the show.
movement sparked discussions available to them.” Farhadi (sophomore-musical
within the School of Theatre sur- In regards to the university’s theatre) said some higher-ups
rounding its state of diversity as bias reporting system, School “needed to do a better job in
a whole. of Theatre student Jalen Mar- listening” to the students and
Rick Lombardo, the director of tin said many have reported singled out Lombardo.
the School of Theatre and artis- incidents in the past and no “I have seen him use people
tic director of Penn State Centre actions were taken. of color in power, in my opinion,
Stage, responded to these posts, “I don’t want to say the as more of a means to placate
WORD SEARCH © 2020 PuzzleJunction.com
speaking on behalf of many of his [anti-bias policy] is bullcrap, but
white colleagues who had “heard there have been students who
some of these stories for the first have reported to that and nothing
time.” has come of it,” Martin (senior-
argument than to work through it,”
Farhadi said.
“To give credit where credit is
due, I commend Rick for scrap-
While the racist nature of these acting) said. “I think that’s a very ping the project,” Farhadi said.
posts came as a “shock” to much easy way to say ‘we’re handling “But the Zoom meeting that the
of the white faculty, some of the it,’ but it’s not being handled.” students had with Rick and the
students of color attending the Lombardo said he meets with creative team for that show was
School of Theatre did not see the individuals who have filed a lot more traumatizing than it
these incidents as a surprise. a report with him or the Asso- needed to be, and I’m okay with
“I wasn’t shocked at all,” School ciate Director for EDI, taking saying that.”
of Theatre student Darron Hayes “appropriate steps” within the Farhadi said the Zoom
said. “This is our reality. This Penn State Student Code of Con- meeting lasted for more than an
is real. Read [the posts], take duct. He said he intends to hold hour, and it was a cycle of students
them in. Listen and then make a additional sessions as well. expressing why the show was
change. This is our reality, and it “I am not certain of the
specifics surrounding each of problematic and the staff pushing
sucks that I wasn’t surprised.” back over their concerns.
School of Theatre student these personal experiences, [so] Many students of color
Elexa Hanner said the incidents I can’t accurately comment what expressed difficulty with the
within the posts “felt normal.” may have been done, or if the
roles they were casted in. Some
“All the Black people in incidents were reported,”
students said students of color
America are just tired,” Hanner Lombardo said via email.
Additionally, students are often typecast in specific
(senior-musical theatre) said.
expressed con- roles that utilize their race as an
“It was just in-
cerns about the important part of the character.
teresting to fi-
nally see that it’s “We’re done with “diversity train- Hayes (senior-musical the-
okay to voice our ing” faculty atre), for example, talked about
experiences and that. We want to be members par- his experience as a musical the-
feel much more known for doing roles ticipated in. atre student and the songs he
secure within my Martin as well was often tasked with singing.
identity, because that don’t always as student “I walk in a room, and they
finally the faculty have to do with our Alyssa Stanford need me to sing a big gospel
members know agreed that song,” Hayes said. “They need
about it.” race. ” staff training me to sing all of the big riffs in
Lombardo is one minor this musical where it has to be a
Alyssa Stanford step in a larger,
said he and his Black boy.”
sophomore-musical theatre systemic issue. According to some of the
colleagues be-
gan to take “I don’t re- students, these roles can often be
“dramatic steps” in an attempt to ally know what mentally draining.
“decolonize the School they learned in eight hours, and “I’ve witnessed alumni who
of Theatre in terms of I don’t know how much learning were in school with us at the
curriculum, culture and you can undo in eight hours,” time actually go through men-
programming.” Stanford (sophomore-musical tal health challenges because of
He described the “deconal- theatre) said.
how neglected and low they felt,”
ization” as “dismantling white All of the students interviewed
Hanner said.
supremacy, examining all of the criticized the shows the School of Hanner talked about her
Theatre chooses to produce, as
systems that are in place in the experience in a production of “To
well as the roles given to students
theater world, looking at the play- Kill a Mockingbird.”
of color and casting biases within
wrights and stories we’re putting “I was pushing a racist lady
the school.
on stage, how representative we in a wheelchair dressed as a
Lombardo said he wished to
are being for various cultures and maid, with a maid dress on, and
produce different shows to help
communities.” I couldn’t say anything,” Hanner
create a better culture within the
Lombardo listed several said about her role in the show.
School of Theatre. Despite this,
initiatives made to address the “That was a hard show for me to
many students said problematic
issues mentioned in the posts get through.”
shows were still being chosen
and hold faculty and students Stanford said there is a culture
as productions, citing a recently
accountable. The School of The- of tokenizing people of color in
canceled project: “Twilight: Los
atre also created a new position the school.
Angeles, 1992.”
— associate director for equity, “Students in the School of
The play, originally a
diversity and inclusion — and
one-woman show, normally fea- Theatre want to move away from
appointed associate professor of
tured the lead actress portray- being in a box,” Stanford said.
dance Aquila Kikora Franklin to
ing multiple different ethnicities. “We’re done with that. We want
the role.
The plan for the production was to be known for doing roles that
“My hope is that if a student
to “racebend” performers and don’t always have to do with our
experiences that kind of moment
have them play characters with race. We want to be chosen be-
with a faculty member or fellow
ethnicities not specific to them. cause we’re good at it and we can
student, and for some reason “You can’t, as a white man, try
they’re not comfortable in talk- and direct a racebent show writ- portray that role.”
ing to me because of who I am, ten by a Black woman,” Jimin Martin said students of color
that they would talk to professor Moon, a student in the School of want to play characters whose
Franklin — because we need to Theatre, said. race is not an important part of
know,” Lombardo said. who they are.
A meeting was recently “To just require us to be a
Franklin spoke with The Daily held to discuss and cancel the
Collegian but wished to keep her project, and some students human on stage,” Martin said.
comments off the record. “Our Blackness, of course, would
said they found it difficult to come with that, but it’s not a
Lombardo also said he was communicate with the creative
Lion ' s l ist
requirement for the character.
We haven’t gotten there yet.”
Hayes said Black students
need the same opportunities and
chances other white students
have.
BUY IT SELL IT RENT IT “We don’t have them, frankly,”
Hayes said. “There’s always just
FOR RENT one Black show every year. We
feel robbed when we get call-
3 & 4 bedroom apartments and houses available starting backs for a show like Legally
August 2021. Walking distance to campus. Parking included. Blonde, when we know damn well
www.pennair.net. 814-571-5230. that we’re gonna put us in Caro-
line, or Change. They need to cast
FALL 2021, HOUSES/TOWNHOUSES, 1-3 blocks from a Black Elle in Legally Blonde,
Kinko’s and campus, petless, unfurnished, yearly lease. Rent and in roles where we’re not
includes heat/water, cooling, dishwasher, on-site laundry. (1) usually seen.”
434 W. College: 3-story, 9 rooms, 3-bath, $7680/up to 12 per- Additionally, many of the
sons. (2) 440 W. College: 4 bedrooms, 1.5-bath, $3150/up to students felt a significant portion
5 persons. (3)Corner of S. Atherton/W. Nittany : 2-story, 5 of their issues lay with the founda-
rooms, 2-bath, 2-kitchen, $3930/up to 6 persons. Nittany tions of theater in general, which
Property Management, 814-231-3100. are largely white-dominated and
Courtesy of Jalen Martin unaccommodating.
Visit collegian.psu.edu to read
Jalen Martin (senior-acting) poses for a headshot. the full story.
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