The Story
In mid-April, a James Madison University senior named Natalya Paris posted a TikTok exposing the university for its lack of action surrounding a racist experience with her roommates.
The story begins with Natalya and her boyfriend returning from a trip to UVA around 11 p.m. Due to pre-existing tensions with her roommates, Natalya says she had already experienced teasing, including the use of a behavior chart- a seemingly harmless system where each roommate could “rank” each other’s behavior. However, when she entered her apartment that night, the situation escalated- she encountered a deeply offensive racist remark targeted at her as the only person of color living in the house.
The behavior chart, which included pins labeled with each roommate’s name, was accompanied by a piece of paper with the n-word written on it three times. Natalya proceeded to take the board and throw it in the dumpster outside of their house, then left to spend the night with her boyfriend. After conversations with family, she later returned to document the incident, taking photos of the board and pins in the dumpster.
The following morning, Natalya’s father asks the roommates about the board and is met with denial. Alongside this, when Natalya had returned home, she discovered the pins she had thrown in the dumpster the night before laid out on their table.
JMU’s Response
After submitting an extensive report to JMU’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO), Natalya was met with rejection. Despite her case clearly being an act of racism, the office claimed that her report did not meet their requirements, and her case was dismissed. As for the Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices (OSARP), Natalya says she has a meeting scheduled with them yet presumes she’ll be met with the same dismissal, as they mentioned OEO would be responsible for handling such reports. The only real solution offered was by the Dean of Students, who placed a “no contact order” for Natalya and her roommates.
What Does This Mean?
JMU’s lack of response speaks volumes. While there are clear consequences on the individual level for Natalya like emotional distress, the implications for the university are less clear. By not addressing a racist hate crime committed against a JMU student, the university both invalidates Natalya’s experience and enables further incidents to slip under the rug. Furthermore, it completely undermines the inclusive, welcoming, and safe environment promised to all students.
Invalidation
Failing to address an act of racism committed against a JMU student invalidates Natalya’s lived experience of distress and psychological harm caused by the event. It sends the message that what occurred is not significant or important enough to warrant action. Met with no institutional support, Natalya is forced to handle the situation and her emotions by herself. And by invalidating Natalya, the university indirectly validates the roommate’s behavior.
Perpetuating Further Incidents
When serious cases aren’t addressed by the university, it implies that racist behavior comes with absolutely no consequences. Now, others are bound to believe that similar behavior will be tolerated. The lack of consequences allows both the perpetrators and others on campus to believe such actions are permissible, only creating a comfortable environment for others to do the same.
Undermining the Promised Enviornment at JMU
JMU claims a “commitment to providing an equitable and safe environment for the entire JMU community”, according to the OEO’s mission statement. The dismissal of Natalya’s case actively undermines that commitment and fully works against the university’s mission. When an institution’s actions do not align with its stated mission, it poses the question: What other commitments are not being upheld? Is JMU’s commitment to equality and diversity just used to attract a diverse group of students, and another few thousand for the university to benefit from?
Where Do We Go From Here?
As JMU students, we have the right to actively fight for the environment and community we want cultivated at our university. James Madison University has an obligation to serve its students, protecting them in every situation possible. Every student, especially those from marginalized communities, deserve to feel safe, respected, and heard. It’s time to push back against actions we don’t support and demand transparency and accountability from the systems meant to protect us. Do better, JMU.