The Blue & Gray Press

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THE

The University of Mary Washington Student Newspaper

BLUE & GRAY PRESS Serving the community since 1922

VOLUME 94 | ISSUE 7

MARCH 25, 2021

Covering of spirit rock’s anti-racist message sparks fear “There were students that felt rightfully threatened by it.”

DAVID STROBACH Staff Writer

On March 13 the UMW NAACP held an emergency meeting after the spirit rock was painted over with a message that said “the end was nigh,” covering the Social Justice and Leadership Summit Subcommittee message of “Keep the Same Energy.” Some students were afraid that the message was a threat to students of color. “When the Social Justice and Leadership Summit Subcommittee decided to paint the rock it was exciting because it was like a reminder that people on campus are still caring about the same issues that we were just fighting for last summer and more,” said Irene Andrade, junior psychology major and co-president of the Latino Student Association. “We were literally trying to ‘Keep the Same Energy’ as we had during the summer. When I saw the message vandalized over my friends’ work it was disrespectful and

After the rock was painted with the phrase “Keep the same energy,” an unknown person spray painted “The end was nigh” on top of it. Abigail Weber / The Blue & Gray Press

on there are not always an attack. My issue stems from the fact that accusations of racism and discrimination seem to be thrown out on instinct, without consideration or attempts at taking a step back and looking at the whole situation,” said Buchholz. “To take every addition to the spirit rock as a charged message further divides the campus because it shuts down any conversation, as students are too afraid to speak-out out of fear of being called racist. There are issues on our campus that need to be addressed. The Spirit Rock is not where those conversations would be most effectively held. These continuous accusations of racism surrounding new art additions to the Spirit Rock are dividing the campus rather than encouraging healthy, helpful dialogue.” However, some students When students were sent home due to COVID-19 concerns on strongly believe it was an eerie March 11, 2020, the rock was painted with “The end is nigh.” message and felt threatened Kate Seltzer / The Blue & Gray Press because of the fact that the disappointing.” message covered the promotion of a Some may say the message is not that meeting that was conducted to promote serious as it was written on the one year the voices of students of color. anniversary of students being sent home “When people started learning about because of the pandemic. the meaning behind that phrase it became “To preface this, I truly respect all much scarier, and there were students the activist groups on campus and fully that felt rightfully threatened by it,” said support the changes they are trying to Andrade. “Other students have expressed bring to our university. I understand how these sorts of repeated actions are that POC on campus feel that they are silencing, and invalidating, Black and not being heard by the university. This students of colors’ voices.” is a problem and should be addressed,” Students felt that the erasure of Black said senior political science major voices was part of pattern of racism at Abigail Buchholz. “The message ‘the UMW, including frequent occurences end [was] nigh’ was painted on the one of stickers from the white supremacist year [anniversary] of the original ‘end is group Patriot Front. nigh’ message when we all got sent home “The timing of the message being from COVID. People have called this painted on the rock is very sudden but painting ‘vandalism’ which makes little depending on who exactly wrote it, is sense when the spirit rock’s purpose is probably intentional what with it being to change, and the previous message was written specifically over the social justice already there 24 hours.” and leadership summit advertisement,” Buchholz is among the students who said Cameron Washington, sophomore believe that putting too much focus on and assistant secretary of the NAACP the spirit rock could take away from the at UMW. “What I also have no doubt community’s discussion of other issues. in being intentional is how there is “The Spirit Rock and the messages somewhat of a pattern with both this, the

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action needs to be enforced in order for the trust of students to be gained. Action needs to be taken against the people that do these things and ultimately they need to ensure the safety of multicultural students.” Washington stressed his belief on what may have prompted the message. “I have nothing to say to the specific people who wrote the message or have taken part in the other incidents. But I do have something to say in regards to their ideology, White Supremacy,” he said. “Aside from my personal contempt for everything representing that ideology, I feel as though what these individuals are doing is disrespectful, but also built on cowardice. They are doing these things as a way of being quiet and covert about their dogma. It is my wish for these individuals to be brought to justice (TRUE justice without being protected) and for the ideology to be purged for

Patriot Front stickers, and other similar occurrences. Overall, I feel it was very disrespectful of whoever wrote the message to have done something like that.” Once members of the UMW “When people started community caught wind of the message, an emergency meeting was held by the learning about the meaning UMW NAACP. behind that phrase it became “Students expressed their concerns much scarier, and there were by asking UMW administration and students that felt rightfully Chief Hall what they were doing to take threatened by it.” action to further protect Black students and students of color at UMW,” said Andrade. “While part of the concerns -Irene Andrade were about the message on the rock and how it was threatening for students, it good piece by piece.” still circled back to the more major issue Andrade wants students to feel safe of how UMW is still not doing enough to on campus and free to reach out to UMW protect marginalized students and prevent Multicultural Clubs. discriminatory actions perpetrated on “[Multicultural Clubs] are always campus.” here for students and are always willing At the meeting the administration to create spaces where students who are suggested new reforms. feeling that way can come and talk about “The administration and Chief Hall seemed to commit to taking more action and taking more preventative measures like communicating better on topics regarding student safety, implementing more on diversity education, and revising investigative measures. There was also a commitment to continuing this As of publication, the rock is currently painted black and pink with the discussion on what needs to change and phrase “Hold men accountable.” Josephine Johnson / The Blue & Gray Press how,” said Andrade. Some minority it. MLC students commonly do it for students are tired and believe each other. Anyone who might be feeling administration doesn’t always follow that way is always welcome to reach out through on their commitments. for any reason,” said Andrade. “Usually what would happen is that Since the controversial “the end was we would get an incident, we would have nigh” message, the spirit rock has been that discussion, then about a week to a painted over twice, once for the UMW month later it would fall to the way side Boxing club and once for awareness of until it gets left behind, then rinse and sexual assault. repeat,” said Washington. “We stressed that this cycle needs to end and that

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