The following is a Letter from the Editor-in-Chief for the Opinions section.
Dear DU Community,
On behalf of the Clarion, we would like to make a formal statement of support to the Native Student Alliance.
On April 15, 2022, the Native Student Alliance gathered together to host a cultural meeting involving the construction of a tipi in front of the Anderson Academic Commons. Guided by Reshawn Edison (Diné), members of the community were able to learn the sacred ways of assembling a tipi. The tipi towered over the AAC and represented the beautiful culture of the indigenous community here at the University of Denver.
The event also shared information about the cultural meaning. Specifically, and most important for this letter, the poles are cared for as spiritual beings. They are a direct extension of their culture, histories and families. Which is why this beautiful moment immediately turned sour on Apr. 20, as Chancellor Jeremy Haefner sent out a formal email apology to the NSA on behalf of DU announcing that tipi was completely destroyed by unknown individuals. The poles, sacred beings all, were left broken and vandalized.
My blood boiled as I read the email and continues as I write this letter.
While the Chancellor explains DU’s role in the incident and how the poles should have been secured by the university, this shows that the university is missing the bigger picture: violence, big and small, against DU Native Students
The fact that we as a community have to worry about securing the tipi is alarming. This violent act against the NSA is an experience that’s more than just vandalism. Students of color are constantly on the defense, worrying about acts of racism, hate crimes and micro-aggressions. This is not just an isolated incident. This adds to the series of harmful acts that my community, people of color, have experienced here at DU.
Grace Carson, former Editor-in-Chief from 2018-2019 school year, wrote an amazing series called DU While Native, documenting the struggles of being Native American at DU. It is sad to see that nothing has changed. People of color (POC), specifically Natives, have been constant targets of racism on campus.
Personally, I am tired of being on the defense, always expecting the worst when it comes to expressing my culture. I have questions for the DU community: Why are we not teaching students to not be racist? Why are our voices not being heard? Why do we continue to see racism alive on our campus?
It is heartbreaking to see members of my community continue to struggle. The year started off with a horrible moment for my community, as they experienced acts of racism during DU’s engagement fair. These acts continued throughout the school year. In my role here at The Clarion, I hear stories of POC experiencing racism on this campus. I listen to the shaky voices of my peers after they experienced racist acts and fear for their safety. I have seen people afraid to speak up due to fear of retaliation. I have experienced micro-aggressions on campus. I am tired of it. To be completely honest, I also fear the retaliation I will experience writing this letter.
Why should you care? Because regardless of the color of our skin, we are all human beings that deserve the same respect as white individuals.
I am here to say to my community that I see you and I hear your voices. If you would like to contact me and have your voices heard further, my email is duclarioneditor@gmail.com. We hope to share stories that uplift and inspire, but I recognize that this is important work. We have a tradition at the Clarion to bring forward voices that haven’t been heard, and this letter serves as a reminder that we will always have work to do.
Thank you,
Ana Ortega
Editor-in-Chief
