“Seeking Truth, Building Strength, Inspiring Service—Together. That’s the Carthage mission. It is not a stodgy old saying recited at Alumni banquets and Presidential dinners. It is a challenge. One that we put forth anew every single day. To our students. To our faculty and staff. To make this world a better place for all of us.” This mission statement was procured directly from the Carthage College website. Carthage aims to put forth a better place for us all yet, the unique needs of its Black students are largely unmet by the administration, faculty and staff, and the curriculum.  Carthage needs to hold itself to its own mission statement by educating and reprimanding the members of the Carthage community that do not fall in line with its mission. This is the only way to eliminate the racism problem on campus and fully implement the anti-racism plan of action put forth by Carthage President John Swallow. The lack of action on the part of the college administration makes life at Carthage worse for Black and minority Carthaginians.

The legacy of slavery, oppression, and racism in America poses unique challenges to Black students across every college campus in America. The members of Carthage’s BSU demand that the Carthage administration enhances our experience to be one where we feel valued, included, protected, and safe. The Black Student Union has tailored these demands to Carthage’s infrastructure and demographics, but also addressed the larger context of Carthage’s geographical location and the challenges Black people face in Southeast Wisconsin.