FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
02 May 2023
CONTACT:
Kate O’Malley, Press Office Director
press@asm.wisc.edu
262.665.8800
ASM Condemnation of Racism on Campus
MADISON, WI — The Associated Students of Madison stand in solidarity with the Black students on campus who have been affected by the video circulating on social media depicting a white student using racial slurs and epithets in casual conversation with friends. These words are not a joke. We unequivocally and without restriction denounce the horrific statements made, and we further condemn the ongoing and ever present culture of exclusion towards the Black community at UW-Madison.
ASM calls upon the University of Wisconsin-Madison to immediately mobilize resources to support Black students on campus, and to empathize with their experiences of marginalization on this campus. We urge University administration to work alongside the impacted communities to not only address the issue at hand, but also cultivate a long-term sense of belonging and well-being for Black students. We also call upon staff and faculty to be cognizant of the effects of this video and be flexible with their students. We understand that for many students, words and actions like this are a surprise, and to many other students they are not.
ASM is committed to enhancing and promoting anti-racist policies, training, and teachings across campus. ASM further calls upon all students to condemn this hateful rhetoric and work to better the campus community. We will continue to work with campus partners, student organizations, and community allies to build a better campus that is inclusive and welcoming to our Black and Brown students.
To our fellow badgers who were impacted by the harmful rhetoric displayed, your feelings at this time are more than valid, and we have much more to say and much more work to do. We know this statement is not enough. We will continue to work harder and do better.
ASM Student Council will be meeting Wednesday, May 3rd at 6:30PM in the Hearing Room of the Student Activity Center. We encourage students to come and share their experiences and thoughts. Sign up for our open forum at go.wisc.edu/asmopenforum or send comments to studentcouncilreps@asm.wisc.edu.
We also encourage students to utilize the Hate and Bias Reporting form provided by the Dean of Students Office at https://doso.students.wisc.edu/.
University Health Services Provides Let’s Talk Sessions on Tuesdays from 12:00 - 2:00 PM for BIPOC students in the School of Medicine and Public Health, and from 1:00 - 3:00 PM for Nursing Students. Let’s Talk also provides services from 2:00 - 4:00 PM on Thursdays for Black Students. We encourage students to make use of this resource. More information on Let’s Talk services provided at https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/wellness/lets-talk/.
Additional Resources
Let’s Talk https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/wellness/lets-talk/
Open Reflection Spaces Map https://msc.wisc.edu/services/reflection-prayer-spaces/
Hate and Bias Report Form https://doso.students.wisc.edu/report-an-issue/bias-or-hate-reporting/
BCC Resource Link https://msc.wisc.edu/find-community-support/
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-- Associated Students of Madison: Kate O’Malley