Black Lives Matter and It's Impact On The A&M-Commerce Campus

Image created in Canva|courtesy of Brianna Patt


 We are going to be discussing the recent George Floyd protests and their impact on the A&M-Commerce campus.

A&M-Commerce and Black Lives Matter

 After the death of George Floyd on May 25,  a protest was held on June 3, including student organizations such as the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and even faculty members such as A&M- Commerce President Dr. Mark Rudin were in attendance. The march began at Gee Lake and went throughout the campus, ending in downtown Commerce. The protest began at 11 am and lasted until 3 pm. Student organizations such as the A&M-Commerce branch of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity posted links to change.org petitions for both George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The A&M- Commerce branch of the NAACP also released a statement directed towards A&M Commerce officials asking that future prospective student whose racist behavior is uncovered have their admission to the university rescinded. A&M-Commerce branch of the African Student Association also spoke out via Twitter, stating they felt there was no reason to be silent, urging people to be a part of the change. Student organizations have not been the only ones advocating for change on the A&M-Commerce campus.

 

Pushing For Change

There is an ongoing petition to change the name of the A&M-Commerce campus library, which was created by A&M-Commerce Graduate Assistant of Research Meredith Slayter Slayter elaborates that James G. Gee served as university president from 1947 to 1966 and refused several black students admitted to the university. She stated that in light of what she feels is a current push for inclusion, it is not fitting to have a library named after someone who was against those very ideals. A&M-Commerce is also being asked by students to address a video circulating of a white A&M-Commerce cheerleader saying a racial slur. An incident of a newly admitted student saying racial slurs were also addressed on the A&M-Commerce Twitter account by Dr. Rudin. He stated that A&M-Commerce works to provide an environment of success where all feel free from biased or harassment. 


 



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