The undersigned faculty and staff of the Chican@ & Latin@ Studies Program join the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s administration as well as ChiLaCSA and other student groups, in condemning a recent video of a profane and abusive racist rant that has provoked a disturbance in the University community. We also applaud the recent statement by Deputy Vice Chancellor LaVar Charleston, the University’s Chief Diversity Officer, which affirms the University’s shared values and calls on all of us to respond to hate not with hate but “with the recognition of the great beauty, talent, and strength of our community, including the great many talented Black Badgers who contribute to our university and strengthen our community.” Hate has no place on any campus or any place at all. As investigations of the incident continue, we call on the administration to take visible steps to address the harm that the video has caused and to facilitate healing and care for all those affected by it. This is not the first racially charged incident to attract the campus’s attention in recent years—or even this year. These incidents should trouble us all. We urge students, staff, and our fellow faculty to redouble efforts at dialogue, reflection, and self-examination. This incident should remind us of the importance of the work done on campus by programs in U.S. gender, ethnic, and indigenous nations studies to lift up the stories of marginalized communities, examine racial and gender oppression, and create welcoming spaces for all. As a Program, we pledge to continue this work as we strive to make the University a more just and peaceful place where all can thrive.
Megan Bailon, Lecturer
Nidia Bañuelos, Assistant Professor
Erin Barbato, Director Immigrant Justice Clinic
Theresa Delgadillo, Vilas Distinguished Professor
Rachelle Eilers, Senior Advisor
Falina Enriquez, Associate Professor
Alberta M. Gloria, Professor
Mary Louise Gomez, Emerita Professor
Armando Ibarra, Vilas Distinguished Professor
Michael Light, Professor
Katie Kirchgasler, Assistant Professor
Edna Ledesma, Assistant Professor
Alfonso Morales, Vilas Distinguished Professor
Peter Haney, Administrator
Benjamin Marquez, Professor
Sara McKinnon, Professor
Rubén Medina, Professor
Almita Miranda, Assistant Professor
Jorell Melendez Badillo, Assistant Professor
Allison Powers Useche, Assistant Professor
Alysa M. Ramírez Stege, Assistant Professor
Marla Ramírez-Tahuado, Assistant Professor
Sara M. Ríos, Assistant Professor
Diana Rodríguez-Gómez
Diego X Roman, Assistant Professor
Christopher Saldaña, Assistant Professor
Aurora Santiago Ortiz, Assistant Professor
Carolina Sarmiento, Assistant Professor
Revel Sims, Assistant Professor
Kate Vieira, Professor
Juan Zalapa, Professor