Editor’s Note: This is the first in a two-part series looking at the issue of building unity at SHC when — according to national reports — unity seems so difficult to achieve nationally. Part two of the series looks at the nation’s racial divide.
Last August, Charlottesville, Virginia, gained national attention after violent events attributed to self- proclaimed “alt-right” demonstrators, leaving the nation at unrest. In response to these events, Spring Hill College President Dr. Christopher Puto sent out a mass email to students that said, “Words and behaviors that foster hatred, bigotry, racism and violence are unacceptable and will not be tolerated on our campus.”
The events in Charlottesville left a profound impact not only on the nation but also at Jesuit institutions, specifically Spring Hill College. According to the Washington Post, a three-vehicle crash left a person people dead and at least 35 people injured during the rally. Witnesses believed that the crash was “absolutely intentional.” One witness, Matthew Korban, observed the driver “plow into one group and reverse into another.”
In the email to the student body, Puto included that the college’s Jesuit heritage “commits us to open, respectful dialogue in the discussion and airing of ideas.” Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Mark Mossa, S.J., offered his thoughts and insights about the incident in Charlottesville. Mossa recalled that he was in shock and disbelief. “It was certainly disturbing. It’s sort of a fear that maybe something like this is going to happen to again,” said Mossa.
Mossa believes that the response in Charlottesville was inadequate. “Trying to blame both sides just misses the point. This becomes a moral issue at the core of it all, which is that racism is unacceptable.” Mossa discussed the role and responsibility of the Catholic Church when an incident of this degree occurs. He explained that either certain bishops or the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will release a statement, explaining the Church’s stance on the issue. In the wake of Charlottesville, USCCB President Cardinal Daniel DiNardo declared that the events “exposed the extent to which the sin of racism continues to inflict our nation.”
Mossa said that the mission of Campus Ministry is to acknowledge injustices when they happen and make a statement clearly defining that this is not who we are. Mossa states, “One of the most important things that we can do is not to ignore [events like Charlottesville].” Mossa’s hope is that Spring Hill will help develop and form leaders who will go forth and be part of the solution to issues that have caused and continue to cause division within society.
Student groups on campus have also spoken out about the events in Charlottesville. The Men of Color Council (MOCC) Senior Advisor Jamal Encalade said that he did not experience any reactions to the events in Charlottesville. Encalade commented, “This is the America that I was raised to be aware of. The hardest thing about talking about any inequality is how do you prove something to people?” Encalade responded by saying that the events in Charlottesville proved and displayed that inequality and racial injustice remain evident in America. Encalade does not want students to remain silent about these issues. “Try to engage. You can’t be afraid to speak. Listen to each other and see ourselves in each other. That’s how we heal because that’s how we start talking…talking is the first step to building bridges.”
Other students spent time wondering how this would affect the campus as a whole. Sophomore Kennedi Goff says, “I was in disbelief, I normally don’t pay much attention to the news, but this caught me off guard.” Goff went on to mention how the campus is usually a safe environment, but she felt some unrest as the semester continued, despite the school’s attempt to promote unity among students.
The Diversity and Inclusion Task Force is another campus organization that felt a responsibility to respond to events, such as these. The committee’s mission is to improve diversity and inclusion efforts on the Hill. Committee Chairperson Jessica Taylor explains the organization’s involvement on campus, “We’ve been involved with programs like race dialogues, solidarity walks and community conversations, which encourage us to be active in those current events and reflect on how we are called to respond.” Taylor additionally noted that the committee is open to hearing ideas from students, regarding projects and programs that they feel would be helpful in creating a more inclusive environment on the Hill.
Former Vice President of Student Affairs Rosalie Carpenter initially started the task force when she noticed that the campus was lacking in representation of minority students. She dreamed up the task force as a group that would include students and faculty and promote unity on campus.
Spring Hill College has experienced an upturn of minorities on campus in previous years with its first decrease coming in 2016. According to the 2017 Annual Data Report, various ethnic groups are represented on campus: African American (14 percent), Hispanic (3 percent), White (69 percent), American Indian (1 percent), Asian/Pacific Islander (2 percent) and Multiracial (5 percent). The college’s attempts to bring inclusivity have not been futile, for students are noticing an increase in events that promote justice and diversity on campus. Some of these campus events include open, round-table dialogues, such as “Whose Lives Matter” and “Exploring Our Responsibility in a Democratic Society.” The Diversity and Inclusion Committee is currently collaborating with the Foley Center and other Mobile organizations, such as Mobile United, to plan a day of service for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 15. Taylor described the goals of the program and said, “We are looking to not just serve our communities but to unite the campus with the larger Mobile Community.”
In the wake of the events in Charlottesville, students and faculty are opening up to discussing solutions and working with one another through the task force, as well as with other campus organizations. “You learn that injustice is a part of everyday life for many communities, but what makes a difference is when those communities are given a voice that allows those injustices to be revealed and supported for change,” Taylor said regarding the efforts the campus community can make to combat injustice. Puto concluded, “Spring Hill College is a very special place where students, faculty and staff work together to create an environment of respect, learning, mutual support, and collaboration as we seek to make our world a better place for all.”
