NEW BRITAIN– In response to recent attacks and harassment of students of color at Central Connecticut State University, student leaders are planning a solidarity rally for this Wednesday, October 14th, from noon-1pm in the center of campus.
A group of more than 50 students originally met last month after hearing that former Kenyan student Charles Ngetich had been forced to drink blood by his cross country coach, believing he had no other choice. After leaving the team and having his track scholarship removed, Ngetich faces the threat of deportation.
This incident, coupled with the events of the past several years (including a racial attack of a Latino student on campus; the firing of socialist Opinion Editor Marissa Blaszko by the CCSU Recorder; the discovery that black faculty members make less money than their white colleagues; racist and sexist remarks made by The Recorder; etc) has lead representatives of the student body to call this rally, as well as a future educational event scheduled for later in the semester.
The list of students who have called for the rally include officers and members of the CCSU NAACP, Africana Student Organization, Black Student Union, Youth for Socialist Action, Pride, the Ruthe Boyea Women’s Center, the African Studies Department, United Caribbean Club, Latin American Student Organization, Off-Center Magazine, Phi Sigma Sigma, Muslim Student Association, Progressive Student Alliance, Central Artist Collective, Man Enough Initiative, and others.
Speakers will include Ronnie Davis, President of the New Britain NAACP; student Gigi Neama, President of the Africana Student Organization; student Marissa Blaszko, President of the Youth for Socialist Action; as well as other students and faculty who have yet to be confirmed.
“This Wednesday, CCSU students will rally to demand an end to racism on our campus. We stand in solidarity with all students who have been the victims of harassment, discrimination, and even torture on our campus, as well as internationally,” the group’s FaceBook page reads. “Stop by and show your support–an injury to one is an injury to all!”
For more information, contact Marissa Blaszko from the Youth for Socialist Action at blaszkomaa@ccsu.edu or 860-218-0566, or Gigi Neama of the Africana Student Organization at neamageo@ccsu.edu or 860-803-3501.
I heard about this! This is bullshit! I wish I was in CT so I could go to the rally. Please keep posting updates about this story as it unfolds!!
I find it amazing that the media isn’t talking about the other side’s version of what happened with this case:
1. Mr. Charles Ngetich lied about how fast he could run certain races and was granted a full scholarship to CCSU.
2. The coaches at CCSU weren’t happy with his performance, so they cut back his scholarship.
3. Mr. Charles Ngetich began skipping practices.
4. Mr. Charles Ngetich was kicked off the team and was subsequently kicked out of school for outstanding bills.
Mr. Charles Ngetich can’t produce one member of the Men’s or Women’s track teams to corroborate his accusations and since it has been a few years since this incident took place there is probably no remaining evidence either.
I think that everyone (myself included) needs to take a step back and wait until all the facts come out before we pass judgment over the coach, school, track team, and Mr. Ngetich. It’s not right to judge anyone without all the facts.
Yet, CCSU Student, you seem to be just fine with judging Ngetich. Not saying I agree or disagree with you, since as you said the facts aren’t all out in the open, just pointing out a hole in the logic. It does seem odd that any school would give a scholarship based on word of mouth. I would assume there needs to be documented proof of an athlete’s ability. Oh, and colleges/universities are for education anyway, not track meets.
CCSU Student, I find it interesting that out of the laundry list of grievances which have been brought forth by the organizers of today’s protest, you chose to fixate on just one. I would like to hear your thoughts on the other instances of racism & sexism at CCSU that were laid out in Dave’s piece.
I just wanted to say that i thought the speakers were very ill-informed. they really didn’t have anything intelligent to say
Thanks so much for posting this, HIMC.
Very little of this has to do with the Kenyan student–it is just the event that sparked this wildfire. Any attempts by the track team to draw the focus back to Charles is an attempt to draw attention away from the real issues on this campus.
Black, Latino, female and GLBT students are organizing in their own interest. If anyone is going to openly oppose what we’re doing, we welcome their open display of bigotry.