"September 29, 2014 On a recent Friday afternoon, about 100 Syracuse University students gathered outside a science building on campus. They carried hand-drawn signs. They listened to speeches from students and alumni. They tweeted and Instagrammed. David Jackson, a sophomore, organized the rally after learning the university wanted to cut the number of students it brings to campus through a partnership with the Posse Foundation. The nonprofit identifies students from urban areas who are likely to succeed at top schools, and partner universities commit to awarding them full scholarships.
But Jackson's protest wasn't just about Posse, the program that catapulted him from Miami's projects to an elite private university. It was about whether students like him truly belong at Syracuse. A change in university leadership has raised concerns about the school's commitment to enrolling underrepresented students. And a racially charged incident in the first early weeks of this school year has brought frustrations to the surface.
On Sept. 6, a 12-second video clip began circulating online featuring Hanna Strong, a senior on the Syracuse soccer team. The blurry footage catches Strong outside the night before, in the middle of an argument. As she stumbles into view, Strong starts to swear at the person filming her. "Faggot" and "nigger" roll off her tongue as easily as "bullshit."
Rahmeik Bowen
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