Students at Oklahoma University have taken to Twitter to share what they are describing as incidents of discrimination and harassment and draw attention to the university’s failed efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.
Using the hashtag #yOUrbad, students have been sharing stories about microagressions they face, the hostile climate on campus for People of Color, and other such violations of the norms of inclusion and tolerance.
The originator of the effort, management information systems senior Emily Pham, tells the OU Daily student newspaper that she was angered that the university recently received an award for its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion on campus.
“I think (OU President David Boren) is only pleased to be recognized for a goal that the university has yet to attain,” she said. “If it’s a goal that you don’t follow through on and you don’t commit your efforts to building an inclusive experience for people of color, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA and other groups at OU, then your diversity numbers are worth nothing.”
By Thursday morning, dozens of students had complained about a number of problems still faced by the university. Among them:
Transphobia:
Same prof consistently used gender as example of dichotomous variable b/c "it's easy, there's only two options." Transphobia much? #yOUrbad
— Lena Tenney (@Lena10E) September 7, 2016
Otherization:
When undocumented folx are called "illegal aliens" in lecture, its easy to understand their otherization in the university #yOUrbad
— champagnepupi (@wtftsanch) September 6, 2016
Inappropriate jokes:
When faculty members openly joke about microaggressions at a meeting to discuss campus climate. #yOUrbad
— Shane R. Brady (@Dr_Pracademic) September 8, 2016
Erasing statements
OU President David Boren makes extremely harmful and erasing statements without flinching. Gets awarded. #yOUrbad https://t.co/6ldGFlmqZK
— Indigenize OU (@IndigenizeOU) September 6, 2016
Improper gender usage:
https://twitter.com/zuzuzuspetals/status/773271910238924802?lang=en
Latinx racism:
Having Greek life that uses caricatures of Latinx populations for parties and furthering anti-Latinx racism #yOUrbad
— Nicolas Juarez (@nijuarez) September 7, 2016
Most of the tweets are so far in support of the maligned students, but there are a few voices of dissent:
https://twitter.com/NickoliLion/status/773907569945350146?lang=en
@yourbadOU #yOUrbad #yOUrWhining pic.twitter.com/wErzM0k02m
— Zack Butler (@EngineerZack) September 8, 2016
