Students protest chapel gathering hosted by U. President Eisgruber '83

Some students who gathered in the University Chapelon Sundayto address issues of racism and prejudice turned their backs on University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83, and some walked out.

The gathering followed controversy last week concerning performances by student group Urban Congo that some said mocked African people and racist posts on the anonymous social media application Yik Yak.

Alison Boden, Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel, introduced each speaker.

The event was intended to “take steps toward a better place,” she said.

As Eisgruber began to speak, around 20 students stood and turned their backs to Eisgruber. The audience, filling about half the chapel, was silent.

The students remained standing until Eisgruber finished speaking.

Eisgruber addressed what he said were “eruptions of hostile and thoughtless comments” that had taken place on Yik Yak.

“Anonymous cowards find no fertile ground here for their hatred or their ignorance,” Eisgruber said. “These hateful comments have no place at Princeton.”

Eisgruber also said he recognized the discrimination minorities on campus have faced.

“On our campus and in our society, members of minority groups too often find themselves hurt,” he said. “The taunts and the insults have been hurtful.”

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Even though it is tempting to dismiss the anonymous words of a few, the University community has a responsibility to improve the campus climate, Eisgruber added.

Ruha Benjamin, assistant professor in the Center for African American Studies, said she was deeply concerned about racial insensitivity.

“The year is 2015 and we are failing,” Benjamin said. “It's not that we don't get the joke. It’s that stubborn fact that racist and sexist jokes never just end at the punch line.”

The issue isn’t the people bringing concerns to public attention but the system instead, Benjamin added.

The power of empathy is the only solution to apathy, U-councilor Jacob Cannon ’17 said. Regardless of background, all students have the right to prosper and succeed, he added.

“Try and understand why those around you think differently,” he said.

William Gleason, chair of the English department, also discussed the importance of empathy.

“Everything that happens on this campus touches every one of us,” Gleason said. “No one can turn away and say this doesn’t involve me.”

Gleason addressed the Urban Congo performance and said highly offensive humor is detrimental to campus unity and student dignity.

While Gleason said he believes humor can be a useful form of satire, it can also be “a divisive and deeply humiliating gesture,” he said.

Athletics Administrator Isaac Serwanga ’13 called for action. As a student athlete, Serwanga wasted time wishing for change, he said.

“For my first three years I complained,” Serwanga said. “It wasn't until my senior year that I could be an agent of change. … Each and every individual has the opportunity to create change.”

Constructive criticism, positive engagement and mindful action constitute a three-part plan for beginning to grapple with campus issues, Serwanga said.

“[I’m] tremendously excited about where we can go in the future,” he said.

While stereotyping is natural, it’s important not to become complacent about accepting these stereotypes at face value, Lina Saud ’15 said, adding direct action to engage with and learn from individuals whom one stereotypes is necessary to overcome prejudice.

U-Councilor Naimah Hakim ’16 then introduced four students who presented a list of demands, including dignity, accountability and change.

While these students spoke, other students stood in the aisle of the Chapel with signs protesting for change. After the four students onstage finished their remarks, they and the protesters in the aisle marched out of the church, chanting, “Hate speech is not free speech.”

Eisgruber then thanked students and other participants for their attendance, and invited attendees to take part in small group discussion sessions.

Students expressed mixed feelings about the event.

Emily de La Bruyere ’16 said the gathering reflected the University’s lack of normal forums for addressing these types of issues.

“I think there needs to be a forum of constructive conversation,” she said.

Duncan Hosie ’16, who organized a petition calling for Big Sean to be removed as the Lawnparties headliner, said he felt the gathering was beneficial.

“I thought the speakers were incredibly powerful, and I commend the University for creating this gathering,” Hosie said. “It was uncomfortable and challenging at points, but it was a very thoughtful and thought provoking experience.”

The gathering took place at2 p.m. In addition to the reflections, the gathering also included musical performances by the University Chapel Choir and violinist Solene Le Van '18.