A study involving racism at MSU and four other historically white campuses found that black men are discriminated against solely because of their race.
The study, titled “Assume the Position … You Fit the Description,” conducted by two professors from the University of Utah and a professor from the University of California, Los Angeles, was completed in December.
The professors interviewed 36 black male students about their experiences at five different “historically white” campuses: MSU, University of Michigan, University of Illinois, University of California-Berkeley and Harvard University.
Researchers found what they called “black misandry,” or negative views of black males, on all five campuses.
The study’s results show several recurring themes regarding black males, including “hypersurveillance” by campus police and stereotyping.
Several phone and e-mail messages left with the researchers were not returned to The State News.
Political science and pre-law senior Julius Holmes, who is black, said he experienced an incident on campus when he was leaving work at 4 a.m. in fall 2007.
“A cop followed me all the way (from Grand River Avenue) to Lake Lansing Road by the Speedway, and he asked me if I had been drinking,” Holmes said. “The cops in East Lansing have a tendency to be very prejudiced.”
While the study does not include specific examples of racism toward black males on MSU’s campus, Holmes’ situation is similar to other examples included in the study.
“I haven’t experienced any racism from students on campus, but it’s not surprising that it exists,” Holmes said.
MSU spokesman Terry Denbow said diversity is an important issue at MSU.
“Any national study would show that MSU is philosophically and historically and consistently committed to celebrating diversity,” he said.
Graduate student Dionel Waters does not consider racism toward black males to be a problem on MSU’s campus.
Waters said the closest to an example of racism he witnessed on campus involved an older professor that used a once-acceptable name for referring to blacks.
“My professor explained a research study about African American males in prison systems and used the word ‘colored,’” he said. “This was an older professor, though, and by no means did I think he meant it in a racist way.”
Despite the study’s findings, Waters said the university does help students to deal with racial issues on campus.
“MSU has organizations and things in place for all students to have the opportunity to receive additional help academically or emotionally,” he said.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the students to seek those organizations out and get help.”
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