Wake Forest University

Anti-Racism Coalition

Dear Wake Forest University Administrators and Members of the Board of Trustees,

As Wake Forest University joins the nation in uncovering its past, photos depicting racist
and anti-black actions have surfaced. Although these images and the sentiments they reflect
were shocking to some, the Wake Forest we know looks eerily similar to the one depicted in
these compromising and incriminating yearbook photographs.While time has passed, black
students are facing the same problems encountered by the first black student admitted to
this university in 1962. Racism is an issue that persists on this campus not only in the actions
of a few students or organizations, but in the inaction of this administration in light of
several racially motivated incidents targeting students of color in the recent past. Anti-black
sentiment at Wake Forest has consistently been met with the coddling of white students and
efforts towards education in diversity rather than real consequences. Our pleas for action
are always met with the promise of educational initiatives and community calls to
conversation that never yield effective results.  
Black students on this campus are constantly asked to sacrifice our education, comfort, and
most importantly our safety, so that white students can be educated on how to be tolerant of
our existence. We are never given the same grace when we fail, and it seems that this
University expects us to also have endless patience for racial injustice and hatred. We,
concerned members of the black student body, are fed up with being forced to live and learn
in an environment where racial hostility is the norm.
On Thursday, February 23rd, black students collectively gathered at the "Creating Inclusive
Climates" panel, where we shared our trauma and concerns. For two hours, students were
met with blank stares and inadequate answers by the members of the panel. If black students
are doing the labor of fighting racism, on top of our other responsibilities, then we expect
individuals who are paid to professionally support students to provide effective responses
and commit to eradicating racism at our school. Black students deserve more than a forum;
we need explicit policies condemning white supremacy and anti-blackness. We are tired of
talking, and we demand direct action.
We Demand:
1. The creation and enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy for white supremacy. Whether
manifested through statements or actions, there must be no leniency in behavior that upholds
whiteness at the expense of people of color.
2. A formal, public apology from the Allmans and Pittard for their past actions. While President
Hatch publicly accepted the apology from Dean Allman, we believe that it was unsubstantiated
and that the student body, but particularly black students, deserve an explanation and
vehement condemnation of these actions.
3. A space explicitly for black students. Although the Black Student Alliance has been present
on our campus since the 80’s, they are forced to share the lounge with other intercultural
organizations, conflating our issues, and invalidating our need for physical space.  We would
like our own space to to use for events, meetings, and fundraising.
4. Transparency in the bias reporting process. Not only is it not clear how racial incidents
should be reported, but it also seems as if the University treats the reports of students as a non-
factor.
5. Clear and concise consequences for racially motivated acts against people of color and a
formal condemnation by the University for all such actions.
6. For all monuments, plaques, busts, portraits, buildings, and other things on campus dedicated
to confederates, white supremacists, and eugenists be taken down, renamed, or rededicated as
to halt the celebration of white supremacy on this campus. This currently includes: Wingate
Hall, Taylor Residence Hall, and Poteat Residence Hall.  
7. Commitment from the Administration to seeking equity for black students at this University,
and hearing our needs as a group on this campus that has always lived on the margins.
8. While we currently have two black counselors on campus, this proves insufficient with the
limited accessibility and the over exertion by black staff. With the amount of black students on
our campus rising each year, there needs to be intentional effort put into the wellbeing of black
students, and their inevitable trauma that they experience on this campus.
9. Acknowledgement that higher admission rates of black students does not at all compensate
for the anti-black racism that is consistently experienced here. We do not need temporary
solutions for a deeply rooted institutional problem.
The failure to address the problems of black students on this campus lies in a lack of inclusion
and disregard for our actual needs. The struggles we face continue to be silenced by an
administration that is more concerned with protecting its reputation than true inclusivity and
justice. If Wake Forest claims to be “for humanity”, the administration must answer the call of
black students on this campus. There is much work to be done.
In Unity, Solidarity, and for Humanity,
The Wake Forest University Anti-Racism Coalition