The University of Michigan's Betrayal of Black Students, DEI & Social Justice: Broken Promises & Systemic Harm #BlackAsHail

Dear University of Michigan Administration, ?

I write to you as a deeply concerned Black alum of this institution, a person who has witnessed firsthand the promises of progress and inclusion that the University of Michigan has long touted—and the stark reality of how it continues to fail Black students, faculty, and staff. Recent events, coupled with longstanding patterns of systemic neglect and harm, compel me to demand immediate action and accountability. ?

From the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to the brutal suppression of peaceful student protests, and now the wrongful termination of a Black woman administrator whose credibility is being attacked with false narratives, the University has demonstrated a troubling disregard for its stated mission and values. These actions not only erode trust but also deepen the systemic harm experienced by Black and marginalized members of this community. ?

Dismantling DEI and the University’s Betrayal of Black Students

In 2016, the University committed $85 million to DEI initiatives. Yet, as I reflect on the lived experiences of Black students and alumni, it is clear that those investments have failed to address the structural inequities that perpetuate anti-Blackness on this campus. Today, the Black student population at the University remains at an appallingly low 4.2%, nearly identical to the percentage in 1970. The Black Student Union’s historic demand of 10%—a figure that would reflect the Black population in Michigan—has yet to be realized. This is a glaring failure of leadership and accountability. ?

The recent dismantling of DEI structures, particularly at a time when Black students, faculty, and staff remain underrepresented and underserved, is an act of betrayal. Instead of addressing the systemic flaws within DEI—including its failure to center the voices and needs of Black students—the University has chosen to abandon its commitments altogether. The wrongful termination of a Black Woman DEI administrator and the subsequent attacks on her credibility reflect the University’s disturbing willingness to scapegoat individuals rather than confront its own institutional failings. ?

Targeting Peaceful Protesters and Suppressing Student Voices

This year, the University once again revealed its hypocrisy by suppressing peaceful student protests. In a deeply troubling display of authoritarianism, Santa Ono authorized the deployment of a militarized police force equipped with riot gear and chemical weapons to disperse students and community members protesting the genocide of Palestinians. These actions contradict the University’s celebrated “history of protest” and expose the administration’s willingness to use violence to silence dissent. ?

The raid on the Diag encampment, composed primarily of Black and Brown students, demonstrated a complete disregard for the safety and well-being of marginalized communities. The University’s complicity in such violence reflects its prioritization of preserving institutional image and donor relationships over protecting the rights and lives of its students. ?

As Bell Hooks reminds us, “The function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining your reason for being.” By suppressing peaceful protests and deflecting blame, the University has distracted from its systemic failures and created an environment in which Black and Brown students are forced to navigate harm while fighting for their very humanity. ?

Policing and Anti-Blackness: A Legacy of Harm?

The University’s continued reliance on a militarized police force underscores its complicity in the broader system of anti-Black policing in this country. The roots of policing in the United States lie in slave patrols, and this racist history cannot be divorced from the function of policing today. Black students and community members at the University have repeatedly called for the abolition of DPSS or, at the very least, the implementation of unarmed alternatives. These calls have been ignored. ?

Santa Ono’s history as President of the University of Cincinnati further exacerbates concerns about his leadership. Under his tenure, an unarmed Black man, Samuel Dubose, was murdered by a campus police officer. Despite calls from Black students and community members to abolish campus police, Ono prioritized maintaining the status quo over addressing systemic racism. This legacy of violence now continues at the University of Michigan, where Ono has failed to act on his promises of an unarmed alternative to DPSS. ?

The University’s Moral Responsibility and the Rise of Another BAM

The Black Student Union’s “More Than Four” platform provides a clear roadmap for addressing the systemic inequities that persist at the University. The platform’s demands—to increase Black student enrollment, explicitly combat anti-Blackness, rectify the structural flaws within DEI, and invest in K-12 education—are not radical; they are necessary. Yet, the University’s inaction on these demands, coupled with its active suppression of student activism, signals a troubling indifference to the needs of Black students. ?

As James Baldwin so poignantly stated, “To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.” This rage is not born of irrationality but of a deep love for justice and a demand for accountability. If the University continues to ignore the voices of Black students and alumni, it will face the resurgence of a new Black Action Movement. ?

Demands for Immediate Action

In light of these issues, I demand an immediate sit-down meeting with University leadership to discuss the following: ?

1. Reinstatement and Strengthening of DEI Initiatives

?? The dismantled DEI efforts must be reinstated with a clear focus on addressing the unique needs of Black students, faculty, and staff. This includes creating transparent accountability structures and centering the voices of marginalized communities in decision-making processes. ?

2. Public Apology and Restitution for the Wrongful Termination of a Black Administrator

The University must issue a public apology to the administrator who was wrongfully terminated and commit to rectifying the harm caused by false narratives about her credibility. ?

3. Protection of Students’ Rights to Protest

?? The administration must publicly commit to protecting the rights of students and community members to engage in peaceful protests without fear of violence or retaliation. ?

4. Implementation of the “More Than Four” Platform*

?? The University must take concrete steps to meet the demands outlined in the Black Student Union’s platform, including increasing Black enrollment, combating anti-Blackness, and investing in equitable K-12 education. ?

A Call to Action

In the words of Fred Hampton, “You can kill a revolutionary, but you can’t kill the revolution.” The University of Michigan stands at a crossroads: Will it continue to perpetuate harm and silence dissent, or will it rise to meet the demands of justice and equity? ?

Should the administration fail to engage with these demands, we will escalate our efforts in the spirit of those who came before us. We will organize, protest, and ensure that the University is held accountable to the students and communities it claims to serve. ?

As Malcolm X warned, “You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless they have their freedom.” The time for performative allyship and empty rhetoric is over. It is time for the University of Michigan to act decisively and with integrity. ?

In the Spirit of Liberation, Equity & Unapologetic Truth, ?

MoSoul ?

"You don’t fight racism with racism. We’re gonna fight racism with solidarity."– Fred Hampton ?