The University of Virginia (UVA) is caught in a race row after a Black student’s comment recently that there were “too many White people” at a new multicultural center on campus.
The comment, caught on video, has led to a firestorm, especially on social media.
Some say the student’s views are an example of “racism.” Others say the student was not only within her rights to express her views, but her views also had merit.
The university’s president, Jim Ryan, tweeted after the incident to say that the new center, called the Multicultural Student Center (MSC), “is for all students.” The university, on its official Twitter account, published a statement after the incident saying the centers are “open to all members of the University community.”
Dr. Damon Williams, chief catalyst at the Center for Strategic Diversity Leadership and Social Innovation, told Diverse that UVA “should be commended” for the development of the four centers.
“My perspective is that universities should make strategic investments to create inclusive spaces,” said Williams, whose institution conducts research on building dedicated space to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. He didn’t elaborate on the Black student’s comment, saying, “I don’t know that young woman. My perspective is every space on any campus should be open to all students.”
It all began shortly after Feb. 6, the day UVA officially opened four centers in the campus’ Newcomb Hall. Two of the centers, MSC and the LGBTQ one, already existed and were relocated to the hall. The new ones that opened were the Latinx Student Center and the Interfaith Center.
