In-your-face racism’ at an elite campus: Black students raise alarm at Pomona College

Jaweed Kaleem, MSN

At Southern California Pomona College a series of anti-Black incidents has unsettled the campus, raising questions about race and belonging. This year, multiple students have shouted or sung the N-word at athletic events and in residential halls, and held a party where attendees were invited to dress as Black stereotypes. Criticism is growing over a professor’s use of the slur in class. Vandals damaged a campus lounge popular with Black community members.

Pomona College does not care or protect their Black students,” said a recent Instagram video from the Black Student Union that was shared thousands of times.

Black students say the racist episodes are not isolated but part of a pattern that has eroded trust as national politics intensify scrutiny of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and, in particular, Black and Latino student enrollment at elite colleges.

“I grew up in suburban Indiana, so I thought I was used to being one of the few Black people around and the snickers and sneers,” said Kourtney Jennings, a junior majoring in media studies and politics. “What I did not expect is to encounter such in-your-face racism in Southern California.”

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