A reported racial incident at Gonzaga led to a discussion about the matter between Spokane leaders and the university. | Adobe Stock
A reported racial incident at Gonzaga led to a discussion about the matter between Spokane leaders and the university. | Adobe Stock
City councilmembers from Spokane are working with the Gonzaga University president and The Black Student Union to address a Nov. 8 racial incident over zoom.
The incident involved students who were verbally assaulted by anonymous members who trespassed on their Zoom call, the city said in a Nov. 20 release about the partnership.
Reports allege that the trespassing members were spewing racial slurs directed at the students.
Councilmembers are calling for the resolution condemning racism.
“As a black woman living all of my life in Spokane, I have firsthand experience of racial intimidation, microaggressions and acts of hate, and frankly, it’s tiring,” Councilwoman Betsy Wilkerson said in the release. “It is absolutely disheartening to hear these students of color, most of who are visitors to our city, have been subjected to such vile hatred at such an esteemed institution like Gonzaga. From a national level, we’ve seen extreme racial tensions; however, when it comes to our back yard, as a community leader, I am compelled to speak out against any hate crime that leaves a stain on our city.”
Wilkerson, along with Councilmembers Michael Cathcart and Kate Burke, are working with the student union and university President Thayne McCulloh.
“I am saddened to hear that these types of incidents are still happening, and still there has been lack of conversation around the systematic changes that need to happen,” Burke said in the release.
Since the incident, the student union has called on the university to make changes, such as creating a plan to protect minority students and provide a therapist.
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