In the past two weeks, several racist incidents have happened involving Hamline students that resulted in neither apologies nor consequences for those making the offensive remarks. A video on Twitter has gone viral with nearly 40k views of a group of white student-athletes singing the N-word. MPR has now released a segment discussing the event, which is much more than Hamline as an institution has done to address the situation. Students, staff, and faculty have all received several emails about how the administration is handling these incidents of racism, but the student body has yet to see consequences, statements of accountability, or any attempt at a sincere apology. 

This is not the first time where students have received these emails. Students of color are currently, and historically, been tokenized by Hamline University with their slogans of diversity and inclusion that lack the institutional support to realistically be enforced. University representatives advertise Hamline as a safe space to express themselves, yet white students are told their racist, homophobic, transphobic comments and actions are mistakes they can learn from. Clearly Hamline has a loose definition of mistakes, as there are no consequences for those who made the “mistakes” to learn and grow from them. 

Hamline University broadcasts its slogan of “taking the lead” but regularly brushes aside the concerns of students of color. 

This needs to change. We want an apology. We want consequences. 

It is not my place to write or list demands. However, this petition is an acknowledgement of what is going on and our way to let Hamline know that we want voices heard. 

here is a page where you can share and view experiences and frustrations with Hamline anonymously: www.instagram.com/ourvoicesourhamline

credit: Riley Jay Davis, Tachianna Charpenter, and the folks who wanted to stay anonymous.