During the summer of 2019 Alison Janega, the president of GW's Phi Sigma Sigma chapter, posted an image on Snapchat of a plantation gift shop captioning it "I wonder if they sell slaves." This intentional act of racism occurred just a year and a half after a member of a GW sorority, Alpha Phi, posted a racist image on Snapchat. This event was followed by meetings with administration that went on for hours, impassioned speeches demanding disciplinary action, and a resolution requesting the removal of the chapter from GW. This left Black students feeling drained, devalued, and defeated. But despite all this, GW has, intentionally or not, created the space for racism to exist on our campus and in our organizations.

After Alpha Phi, the university implemented mandatory Diversity and Inclusion Training and other initiatives; but clearly that's not enough. We demand more preventative measures as well as consistent and intentional efforts from the university to prevent these happenings. Black students find it difficult to feel  connected to and included in this institution when the legacy of racism continues on through the actions of its attendees. With a mascot symbolizing colonialism and a student center named after a proud racist and anti-semitic, our students deserve better. 

The Black Ace Magazine, GW's only publication dedicated to reporting on and advocating for Black students, is calling for the termination of Janega's presidency of Phi Sigma Sigma. Her actions make her unfit to lead and brings into question the behaviors and ideology of the rest of the organization.