Columbia University reports that at a panel discussion on Monday, men of color from a variety of positions in the Columbia community discussed their experience on campus, highlighting the difficulties of attending a predominantly white institution.
The panel, titled “The Ivy League and Male of Color Experience,” featured current students, alumni, and staff, including Tyler Holmes, CC ’18, Rafael Ramirez, CC ’18, Lorenzo Gibson, CC ’16, and Abdul Staten, prevention coordinator at Sexual Violence Response.
The event, which was hosted by the Men of Color Alliance and sponsored by Columbia Athletics, was the first dedicated to the experience of men of color on Columbia’s campus in its history.
Panelists discussed the challenges they have faced as people of color on campus and their experiences of speaking on behalf of their communities while also seeking safe spaces that offer solidarity.
Columbia’s class of 2021 is 39% white, 29% Asian-American, 14% African-American, 14% Latinx, 3% Native American and 1% other
Students at Ivy League colleges have historically been homogenous: white, high-income, and from educated families. While there has been efforts by many colleges to admit more diverse students, the legacy of these schools leave many students of color feeling unwelcome. Columbia’s class of 2021 is 39% white, 29% Asian-American, 14% African-American, 14% Latinx, 3% Native American and 1% other.
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