Lately, ETSU’s campus has been the center of social justice issues for rural Appalachia, an area with a largely white demographic. The students of ETSU are bringing a breath of fresh air to the rural Appalachian town. In summer of 2020, students could be found marching with their masks on through downtown Johnson City for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many more.
Since the beginning of the 2020-21 school year, social justice has been at a forefront of the student minds. The men’s basketball team took a knee all season to protest racial injustice. Later in the season, all of the players and former ETSU men’s basketball coach, Jason Shay, took criticism from local citizens and donors, even going as far as having to return coach’s cars.
I believe ETSU is a flower amongst a long, barren field. Its conversations on equity and justice have sparked outrage, but students are more than happy to engage in those conversations. Recently, ETSU promoted Africana Studies director, Daryl Carter, to associate dean for equity and inclusion in the College of Arts and Sciences. Dean Carter has stood alongside students this past fall and spring, encouraging conversations on racial injustice and leading talks on inclusion at ETSU. As a Black man himself, he has intimate knowledge regarding these issues.
Faculty like him at ETSU are also opening up the floor to students, encouraging talking and learning from the African American student. While, the issue of racism and equity does not simply go away from a summer of protesting and a year of conversation, it is clear to see that ETSU students are ready to bring this small school to the forefront of rural Appalachian colleges fighting for justice. And I for one, am extremely proud. As a Black woman myself, I hope ETSU can become the place all African American students across Tennessee want to attend — for it’s diversity and equity.
