Team Elite ASO statement

To those willing to hear and not just listen:

We are disappointed that our peers, Team Green, released a statement that has been nothing but a distraction from racism. Team Green calls upon us to “join them” yet we have had multiple meetings set up to meet with Team Green to communicate and put things to rest. They have refused to meet with us and have disrespected our time multiple times. So allow us to refocus to the systemic racism that has been occurring in ASO.

Multiple racist acts have occurred during the elections. But to be clear racism has been happening for years within ASO and the elections of Spring 2019 is not an isolated incident. Since there is never any consequence for the first acts of racism, an environment was created where a member or members felt comfortable with posting a video inciting violence. This could have lead to Black students and Black employees being targeted with violence at SWC, a campus already drenched in anti-blackness issues.

As a side note, the ASO has always allowed faculty and staff to speak during public comment. In fact, because of so many ongoing racist acts, this has become the norm as of late. The meetings that happen are not exclusive to students. Team Elite actually felt safe that faculty and staff were there because of the racially-charged threats being made towards us. In our eyes faculty and staff that stand up against racism are always welcome to come to meetings, especially contentious ones where these racist acts are allowed to fester and continue. It is sad that we even have to address faculty being there because of the history of ASO allowing this.

Team Elite is okay with elections being cancelled because of the racism that we had to deal with during our campaign season. Elections were supposed to be a fun, competitive, and light hearted ordeal. However, elections have caused nothing but tears, fear, and an overwhelming feeling of anxiety for us. It is unfortunate we have learned that this is the norm for anyone who is Black and running for ASO office. We feel that having the elections voided is what was best because of the trajectory that the campaign season has gone toward. At some point, we must put our foot down.

We never want to get to a point where we compare pain, but it’s important to remind everyone as to where our pain is coming from. Our pain is not because we were accused of racist acts but because we were the victims of it. And not just from students, but from the whole ASO system.

We don’t blame Team Green, we blame the environment that has allowed the mentality that it is okay to throw stones and then hide your hands. Team Elite is, yet again, just requesting that they show their hands and acknowledge what has been done to us.

We just want to be acknowledged, not as a team, but as a community  that is hurting.

At the end of the day tit-for-tat helps no one, running away from this helps no one, and shifting blame helps no one.

As our mentors have taught us: Team Elite wants to be the voice for the voiceless. To students who have experienced sexism, homophobia, ableism, racism, sexual assault, bullying, etc. Team Elite hears you, we see you, and we want to continue to fight on your behalf because we ARE you. One day your pain will be acknowledged. Stay strong SWC students!