I see no changes, all I see is racist faces
Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under, I wonder what it takes to make this
One better place, let’s erase the wasted
(Tupac, 1998)
As critical scholars and DEI strategists, the one-year anniversary of the egregious and pernicious lynching of George Perry Floyd, Jr., committed directly by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, but indirectly, by centuries of systemic racism that has historically targeted Black bodies and communities of color, is an opportunity for us to take a bold stance within this op-ed.
Specifically, our position and forthcoming claims within this article align with the above lyrics by the late rapper, actor, and cultural icon Tupac Shakur, in which we also contend that we see no changes. Thus, as the nation gets ready to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Floyd’s killing with marches, rallies, poems, and speeches, we refuse to participate in “sanitized celebrations” but rather, we declare, “Lest We Be Fooled!”
It is believed that the phrase “lest we forget,” originates in a Victorian poem penned by writer Rudyard Kipling. The phrase is also intended to warn people against forgetting those individuals that have fought and died for their country. Within the context of reflecting on the life and legacy of George Floyd, we want to “remix” the phrase “lest we forget,” to “Lest We Be Fooled,” about the “so-called” post George Floyd inspired DEI efforts being facilitated within U.S. institutions, but specifically, within higher education. Explicitly, in this moment that will determine our commitment to “authentic” notions and practices of democracy and freedom, we must resist symbolism and the Diversity Crisis Model. Regarding the diversity crisis model, Williams (2013) argues that:
“Too many diversity planning efforts are reactive, isolated, simplistic and driven by crisis, or “cheetah moments.” The crisis follows a similar pattern: an unpleasant event occurs, which leads to a largely symbolic response, a half-hearted institutional mobilization, and then a gradual weakening of institutional efforts over time.”
Of course, the “crisis” that we are highlighting is the tragic and senseless murder of George Perry Floyd, Jr. on May 25, 2020, which in the aftermath of his brutal death, prompted university presidents and administrators to make a host of promises around committing to inclusivity, racial justice, and anti-racist practices. Nevertheless, sadly, many students know that these promises and commitments is nothing more than lip service!
