Last winter, while researching the college’s archival collection both individually and through a historical methods course, a pattern surfaced in our research that heavily deviated from the mainstream and celebratory history of the college that so often presents progressiveness and inclusivity. This pattern was discovered through documents presenting but not limited to, insensitive language, blackface, minstrel performances, and references to the Ku Klux Klan across several campus publications. This discovery then prompted conversations amongst history students and a select number of faculty members on where to go next. After speaking with Dr. Will Barnett, Dr. Ann Keating and Dr. Rebecca Skirvin we felt it was only right to bring this forward to the entire campus community.
With that said, we feel it needs to be stated that: it doesn’t matter who acts the part of judge, or who gets to be part of the jury. There need not be a trial to know that North Central College as an institution is guilty. North Central, throughout numerous points in its history, has been guilty of enabling a culture of hate and intolerance, and it’s guilty of adding to the weights of oppression and suffering of African-Americans in this country. It’s important to recognize this guilt before we move forward as an institution. Even though the events in question seem far removed from now, we have to ask ourselves, was it really so long ago? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Entire generations felt the direct impact of blatant and unchallenged racism in our history, and many of those individuals continue to carry that same burden they carried as students on our campus into their lives beyond the shadow of Old Main. The impacts of this culture of hate and intolerance continue to be felt today.
This history is more than a future headline on a printing of The Chronicle and this is more than an email from the college president. This is a conversation that needs context so that we as an institution can understand how this dark chapter in our history has shaped the North Central we know today, and how we can move forward. The college seal includes the Latin phrase Lux Veritas, which directly translates to light and truth. This phrase identifies seeking truth as an integral part of our identity. By doing so, we must also acknowledge that racism, intolerance, and bigotry are still unfortunately present on our campus and its immediate surrounding area. These issues take a toll on everyone, not just students of color. The same culture of hate and intolerance once present through blackface and segregation has taken on a more hidden and insidious role in our society. It is our responsibility to confront this culture as courageously as the leaders who came before us.
To uphold the college’s mission statement we have a responsibility to engage in an uncomfortable but eye-opening dialogue in good faith. We must seek reconciliation as an institution and with one another as a diverse community of learners willing to be leaders in local, national, and global contexts. This letter is an open invitation to anyone interested in making their voice heard in this conversation. Any and all members of our campus community are welcome to a Fireside Chat on Wednesday, April 3rd from 4-6pm in WAC Fireside Lounge where we can dig deep as scholars and individuals to move forward in the process of reconciliation from a troubled past.
From your fellow history students,
Jojo Galvan
Cynthia Apantenco
Matt Norvell
Editor’s note: This opinion piece was submitted by Galvan, Apantenco and Norvell following President Troy Hammond’s collegewide email regarding the matter on March 26.
