Throughout the past year, multiple members of the Zeta Tau chapter of Alpha Xi Delta have had to deal with repeated forms of discrimination stemming from racism and antisemitism in forms of micro-aggressions, tokenism, gaslighting, colorism, biased leadership, harassment, and many others not listed here. 

 A group of sisters that experienced this created a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I) committee, with the goal of educating their fellow members. They had hopes of creating a safe space for new members to come into the chapter. Despite these attempts, leadership intentionally blocked DEI work and discrimination continued. There were plenty of chances for accountability but white fragility was the overarching response. 

It should be noted that communication with higher authorities (Alpha Xi Delta Headquarters) had been taken by the members in a last hope for a proper solution to be instilled. Sadly, despite these efforts, the voices and concerns of these women were dismissed yet again. 

This is not sisterhood. This is not what we signed up for. This is not a safe space. This organization caused racial, religious, and so many other kinds of trauma. This is not acceptable by any means. We will no longer be silenced or diminished.

An organization like this has no place on our campus. The University of North Carolina Asheville states that: "UNC Asheville is committed to living the core values of diversity and inclusion, innovation, and sustainability, and ensuring that they permeate everything that the university does. Meeting these commitments requires an openness to change, creative and innovative approaches to programmatic growth, and a sustained focus on education including diverse ideas, as well as sufficient operating resources and support systems, incentives, and accountability measures." Right now, we call upon UNCA administration, students, faculty, and staff to uphold these values. Be open to change, especially change that promotes diversity and inclusion.