University of Missouri Cancels Black Class Block Party

News Summary

The University of Missouri has canceled the Black 2 Class Block Party organized by the Legion of Black Collegians due to concerns over racial exclusivity in its title. This decision sparked discussions on racial inclusivity and campus policies, with LBC calling the cancellation a deliberate act of erasure. Despite proposing an alternative name, the university maintained its position. The situation highlights ongoing challenges faced by minority student organizations at MU, prompting calls for better support and clearer messaging on racial harassment and inclusivity.

Columbia, Missouri – The University of Missouri has canceled the upcoming Black 2 Class Block Party organized by the Legion of Black Collegians (LBC) due to concerns over the inclusion of the word “Black” in its title. The decision was communicated to LBC just days before the scheduled event on Friday, raising discussions around racial inclusivity and campus policies.

The discontinuation of the event followed a meeting between LBC’s executive board and university administrators, including Vice Chancellor Angela King Taylor and UM System President Mun Choi. LBC labeled the cancellation as “a deliberate act of erasure” via a statement on social media, emphasizing the growing challenges the group encounters in naming their events.

University officials expressed that the name of the event suggested an exclusivity based on race, leading to their decision to cancel it. In response, LBC suggested renaming the party to the “Back 2 Class Block Party,” but this alternative was also turned down by the university. The cancellation echoes past incidents where MU requested LBC to modify event names, such as the transformation of the “Welcome Black BBQ” into the “Welcome Black and Gold BBQ.” As a result, LBC chose to withdraw from that event this year.

LBC members expressed disappointment regarding the university’s lack of alternative solutions, stating that the decision had caused frustration among their community. Officials from MU reiterated their commitment to fostering an inclusive, non-discriminatory environment on campus and stressed that any activities organized on university premises must not marginalize individuals based on race.

Despite awareness of internal policies concerning event naming and racial inclusion, LBC highlighted a history of similar initiatives being shut down by the university. Beyond the block party discussion, the recent meeting addressed broader campus safety concerns, particularly incidents involving racial slurs and harassment experienced by Black students during the previous school year.

According to reports from LBC, several incidents of racial harassment have occurred on campus, with many students reporting racial slurs while engaging in campus activities. During the meeting, LBC urged the university to publicly denounce racial harassment and to implement clearer messaging related to MU’s nondiscrimination policies.

Adding to the complexity of the cancellation, a spokesperson for the university indicated that issues surrounding the event’s permit played a significant role in the decision, noting that LBC had not secured the necessary approval for the proposed location of the block party. However, this assertion clashed with LBC’s account, which mentioned a confirmation email that allowed them to host the event at the Black Culture Center.

The developments surrounding the cancellation have drawn the attention of the campus community, including Phi Beta Sigma, a historically Black fraternity at MU, which expressed support for LBC. The fraternity criticized the cancellation as a measure that further constructs barriers for Black organizations on campus, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by minority student groups.

The university’s actions and the varied reactions from student organizations point to a larger conversation on race relations, inclusivity, and event-management policies at the University of Missouri. As discussions continue, both sides remain faced with the challenge of ensuring that student events promote a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all members of the campus community.

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Additional Resources

• KMIZ: Black Student Group Meets with MU Over Cancellation of Event
• KMIZ: MU Cancels Welcome Event for Black Student Group
• Columbia Tribune: Rapper Talib Kweli Coming to Columbia, MO
• WIS TV: Columbia Police Non-Profit Collaboration for Block Party
• Wikipedia: Cultural Inclusivity