Addressing concerns of systemic bias at Syracuse University is necessary and long overdue, but The Daily Orange Editorial Board believes that the activist group Recognize Us needs to change its approach if it wants to best advocate for marginalized students and ensure initiatives launched following Theta Tau’s expulsion are successful this coming academic year.

A more realistic and collaborative agenda promoted by Recognize Us will not only further an important conversation, but also make the social justice movement more effective.

Recognize Us was established during an extremely turbulent time on campus. It was and is admirable for Recognize Us to be an active organization, fighting for change.

Yet the group is not alone in advocating on behalf of minority students at SU.

Instead of cornering the university, and adopting an “us versus them” mentality, Recognize Us should work with the administration and other student groups to complete collective goals. Simply berating the system will scare potential activists and participants away.

Of course Recognize Us’ advocacy is warranted, and its Tuesday night protest drew attention to serious issues at SU, but it’s been four months since Theta Tau’s expulsion from campus, and the movement should explore alternative approaches to its work.

Recognize Us members have said the organization wants to foster generational change at SU. Simply having a handful of students protest outside of Chancellor Kent Syverud’s house won’t accomplish that.

Shifting toward a more collaborative approach could prove successful to the longevity of Recognize Us, and the organization needs to understand that there’s value in communicating with the university. Recognize Us’s importance is irrefutable as it continues to hold the SU administration accountable months after Theta Tau’s expulsion. But to continue to push unrealistic deadlines de-legitimizes the very issues Recognize Us is trying to solve, and that could be a serious detriment to the group’s long-term success. 

The Daily Orange Editorial Board serves as the voice of the organization and aims to contribute the perspectives of students to discussions that concern Syracuse University and the greater Syracuse community. The editorial board’s stances are determined by a majority of its members. You can read more about the editorial board here. Are you interested in pitching a topic for the editorial board to discuss? Email opinion@dailyorange.com.

Published on September 4, 2018 at 11:11 pm

Contact: opinion@dailyorange.com