On Nov. 4, UNC’s National Pan-Hellenic Council, a group of historically black fraternities and sororities known as the Divine Nine, held their 2016 Step Show. The step shows have been a long-running annual event during Homecoming Week. It took a hiatus in 2015 but proceeded with a highly anticipated return this year.
Memorial Hall was nearly filled to capacity with returning alums, visiting students and chapter members from other schools, and excited parents. In summary: the crowd was very Black. Black Greek organizations were created in times when Black people could not join White fraternities and sororities. Although they are not Black exclusive, this history and the history of stepping all point to the demographic of this event.
It was a space in which I and many other students found comfort. Being surrounded by other Black students and alumni at UNC — where being less than 10 percent often leaves me feeling invisible — brings rare moments where I am no longer cognizant of my otherness.
But alas, someone alerted that the negroes were congregating again. Before entering the event, I noticed security was checking bags outside. I have never been to an event where bags were being check in my time here at UNC, ever. The last time I can recall that happening was a political event in which they anticipated oppositional protests; however, this was not a political event or a controversial gathering — it was a cultural and performing arts show.
I spoke with a Black Carolina Performing Arts worker who chose to remain anonymous for fear of losing her job. She stated her anger and disappointment at the blatantly disrespectful treatment of Black students and alumni. The CPA worker recalls at least five police officers and notes that this diverges from the one police officer they usually have at each event. In addition, there were five security personnels checking bags both outside and inside Memorial Hall. After the show was over, officers surrounded many of the patrons forcing them to exit the building. These are all traits highly unusual at CPA events.
Unusual for CPA events, but not unusual for Black events. I've come to notice that nothing is more controversial to campus security and police than the congregation of black and brown bodies. It doesn’t matter if it is a 24-hour peaceful slave narrative reading, a cookout at the Rams Quad, or a cultural event; the cops love to “keep an eye on things”.
Funny thing is I noticed that while the University loves to keep an eye on all things Black and Brown, they also love being blind to all things White and Frat Court. I could speak of the long list of activities that go unmonitored if they were really focused on “doing their job,” but I’ll save my breath.
We don’t want you to buy us ice cream and take selfies for your social media. We don’t even need for you to stop us for a casual conversation to “build trust and community.” What we NEED is for you to leave us alone. To stop unnecessarily over-policing us because we see right through your bias and bullshit.
We just want to be treated like regular college students, the same status you seemingly only afford to White people.
