Western Michigan University Faculty, Staff Speak Out Against On-Campus Racism After Lawsuit

The Black Faculty and Staff Council at Western Michigan University (WMU) has spoken out against racism on the campus a few days after the institution was sued by an employee for allowing a "racially hostile work environment" to grow.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for Western District of Michigan last week stated a former white staff member, identified as Mitchell Beare, "looped rope/noose behind Plaintiff’s head with the intent of pulling it over his head and around his neck --- which is historically an act of lynching a Black man." The incident took place in front of other co-workers during a diversity and inclusion training event in 2017.

Following an investigation, WMU concluded "there was sufficient evidence to support a finding for racial discrimination and that Mitchell Beare had violated the University Non-Discrimination Policy. Sometime around September 2017, Mitchell Beare was allowed to retire from WMU, with benefits," the lawsuit stated.

In a letter, the WMU Black Faculty and Staff Council said "acts of racism and bigotry at Western Michigan University are having a negative impact on Black faculty, staff, students, retirees, alumni, donors, and most importantly, prospective Black students and their perception of the institution," WWMT reported.

During a recent meeting, several staff members spoke out against racial bias.

"Enough is enough. WMU must look at its systems of operation – both written and unwritten policies – as well as practices and procedures, that perpetuate, tolerate, and reward acts of racial oppression that create a racially intimidating, hostile, and offensive environment for Black people. The time is now," the council said during the meeting.

Addressing the issue of racism in the campus, Western Michigan University President Edward Montgomery said in a statement, "I can't speak to pending litigation, but I can speak to the University's values. Racism is a blight wherever it may exist in society, including on this campus. It’s not tolerable. University leaders have committed to addressing problems and to acknowledging where the institution has missed the mark in addressing those problems. It's crucial to root out racism in all its forms—whether it be in the actions of individuals or in the policies and practices of institutions. We stand with black faculty and staff members and others in asserting that enough is enough."