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Fwd: A message about the media coverage in the recent days
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October 17, 2021 at 12:39 PM
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TheWall on behalf of Edwards, Marina
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Sunday, October 17, 2021 11:03:48 AM
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[TheWall] A message about the media coverage in the recent days
Dear Yale Law Community, I write to address the biased media coverage of the law school in recent days, which begs a more accurate representation of events.The media has focused on this narrative that conservative free speech is under attack by illiberal Black students. The facts just don’tline up with that conclusion. In addition, this moment opens a space for us to critically consider how terms like performative activismand cancel culture are deployed to further a narrative of right-wing victimhood. Performative activism refers to activism done to increase one's social capital rather than efforts driven by one's commitment to acause. A continuing sentiment I often hear in this space and in the broader conversations of social justice is that if you don’t engageon an individual level with a person that you don’t agree with, then you are being a performative activist in your calling out of saidperson. Commenting in a group online forum is not synonymous with being performative. Yet, we continue to see some voices(primarily those from historically oppressed groups) actively stifled and labeled as performative to uphold an oxymoronic anddangerous growing trend of right-wing leaning individuals claiming victimhood. My quotes in particular have been used to drive anarrative of a Black illiberal performative activism. A quick glance at the roles I hold in this school, in community, and in my daily lifewould prove that narrative wrong. The “performative activism” label of Black students as applied here is simply an excuse used to notengage with left-leaning people who are calling out anti-Blackness. The term “cancel culture” has been used when people face repercussions such as job loss, social persecution, the loss of ownershipof their dog, etc.
without cr eating space for dialogue
. I will not argue the merits and nuances of every situation like this. There aredefinitely incidents in which people cancel others without leaving room for dialogue. I can fathom that there are many times that thecancelling of someone is performative and maybe even unwarranted. That just simply isn’t the case here. Do I believe that Trent’s party invitation rose to the need to
cancel him
? No. Calling out someone who behaves irresponsibly towardhistorically marginalized communities, regardless of their own identity, is not an act of oppression; it is an act of love and compassionfor those whose lives are daily ripped apart and trampled upon by systems (and people) of oppression. The fact is that Black students did not attempt to cancel Trent. Black students attempted to have both collective and individualdialogue with Trent. This fact has largely been ignored by the media. While some of the conversation in our class GroupMe aboutTrent’s party contained justifiable outrage, much of the conversation was educational. There was a discussion on the etymology of theterm trap house and why Trent’s use of the word may be offensive to Black students. This desire for constructive dialogue was largelyled by Black students. We approached Trent about his actions, offered him an opportunity to learn through education and dialogue,and then gave space for him to apologize and move on. He declined to do so. Instead he invited those that “if” he hurt, to reach out tohim in an individual capacity. (Another Black woman did reach out to him, but he left her on “read” and did not respond to a long email
. students. He just did something anti-Black and has not expressed any remorse for it to the people he offended. Along with the conversations taking place in the GroupMe, our Director of DEI and Associate Dean of Student Affairs hadconversations with him in response to multiple formal complaints. The administrators did not threaten to cancel Trent. They did notsuppress his right to free speech. Instead, they gave him a real-world perspective on how his actions were harmful and suggested away to keep the situation from escalating, which is what Trent said he wanted. Any other interpretation of the audio recordings ishyperbolic. Every student here is wary of doing anything that could negatively affect their career prospects— that’s why most of us arescared to say anything publicly about this situation. This is a moment to interrogate and deepen our relationship and practice with critical dialogue as a community. A Freirian praxis ofcritical dialogue is built upon three fundamental principles: action, reflection, and action. As a community of legal scholars and futureleaders it is imperative for us to work together to create and sustain spaces for critical dialogue. Moving forward, our affinity groups and student organizations must commit to continue growing our conversations and not let thisincident be a stain, but a significant wake up call to engage in critical dialogue. People will make mistakes, and sometimes there willbe consequences to our mistakes. Critical dialogue is about holding space for positive growth and change. There was an opportunity for critical dialogue here. There may still be. But to date, Trent has failed to engage critically or apologize forthe harm he caused. Instead, community messages have been plastered in the national news. He has engaged with the media in anattempt to cast blame, not promote balanced and just dialogue. Going to a media outlet to feign victimhood, not only deflects thegravity of the situation, but also speaks to what could be deemed insincerity on his part. Critical dialogue often begins with an apology for one’s actions, not a cry for a cheering squad to garner sympathy and misguidedsupport. If anything, that is performative.
With this in mind, I want to thank Sonora Taffa, Chair of NALSA, for her apology. You have reached out to BLSA board and have maderoom for dialogue. You have acted with grace and compassion. I am sorry that Trent’s actions have painted NALSA in a negative lightand I look forward to moving past this as a YLS community member. Black and Indigenous students face some of the same barriers toaccess that we should all be working together collectively to dismantle. With hope for the future of the YLS community, Marina Edwards
Marina Edwards
YBLSA President
GPSS
Diversity & Inclusion Chair Yale J.D. Candidate class of '23 University of California, Berkeley '19