There have been many incidents regarding racism at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for decades. From students saying derogatory language about minorities on their social media to nursing professors being ignorant and displaying racism. Enough is enough.

Within the past 30 days the College of Nursing professors have encountered two critical teaching moments. I, Nosipho Monese asked my professor (who is also the NCLEX coordinator), "why are the NCLEX passing rates so low at UWM?" the professor responded, "it's due to our diverse students that have special needs and requirements." Why would a professor say that diverse students (minorities) are the reason that the NCLEX passing rates are low? Why do I have a NCLEX coordinator who believes that I'm going to fail my NCLEX Board exams due to my race?

The second encounter was today. Once again I, Nosipho Monese asked another professor, "how do you detect pallor (paleness) in a black person?" since the professor was teaching the class about Sickle Cell Anemia (a chronic bleeding disorder that impacts 1 in 12 African/African Americans). The professor stated, "I don't know, you tell me!" I looked at the professor and said, "I don't know... That's why I'm asking you."

Luckily, some students came up with ideas (checking mucous membranes, capillary refill), but imagine if no one knew the answer. Why haven't I been taught more about my race in nursing school? Why haven't I been taught how to assess patients with any skin color?

This is how you can help! Sign this petition to ensure that change comes to UWM.

Enough is enough! The UWM College of Nursing needs to gear our education towards minorities and our professors need to be screened for racial biases, yearly.

Thank you for reading and please help us make this change.