Playing Dirty As Usual: Mizzou's Uses Racist Tactics And Dog Whistles To Silence Black Voices On 10-Year Anniversary of Historic Uprising

Black joy at the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) has been once again thwarted as the institution cancels an important back-to-school event for its Black community. This decision echoes the struggles highlighted nearly a decade ago during the hunger strike that exposed the university’s racist legacy. Administrators canceled the Legion of Black Collegians' Black 2 Class Block Party due to its title, sparking outrage. While LBC expressed a willingness to modify the event's name, administration remained resolute in their stance. LBC has demanded public condemnation of racial profiling and the scheduling of a town hall within 60 days to discuss cultural issues. Moreover, students seek comprehensive campus messages outlining harassment policies at semester start. Community grievances intensified as the university continues to neglect years of demands. This pattern reflects an ongoing cycle of suppression impacting Black students, amplifying their need for safe spaces amid recurring challenges, and reiterating a persistent plea for racial equality on campus. (Kayla Sydnor/The KC Defender)