SAINT PETERSBURG

A Silenced History

Saint Petersburg has a history of racism and segregation and the divide is clear.

Eckerd's isolation from its surrounding community continues to contribute to what we see on this map:

Physical segregation

The Eckerd community is actively harming the Black community

How many times have you heard...

"I don't go to Walmart because it's too sketchy."

"Eckerd is in an unsafe neighborhood."

"Southside St. Pete is not safe."

"Why do they have to make everything about race?"

Have you ever stopped to consider why you or others might feel this way?

These are all microaggressions based on incorrect stereotypes that Black communities are unsafe or crime-ridden. Do you think these stereotypes are harmless? If you still think our campus is a liberal arts oasis that is void of any racism or microaggressions we advise you to continue exploring this website and the resources we have linked further. This community is not a safe space for all people of all identities.

We have traditions that actively perpetuate detrimental stereotypes and harm the Black community; traditions like Jay-z-easter. While we acknowledge that the Black community is not a monolith, we must also stress that harm to even one individual is a reason to rethink our traditions and how they may negatively impact the community we seek to create here at Eckerd. Even with sponsored implicit bias training, these incidents continue to happen. It will take actively listening to Black students, and changing our behavior to make a difference.

You may also observe frequent references to Afro-American society as "aggressive." This actively harms the Black community. Yes, we are referring to the ECOS Debate. We remind you again to learn more about this.

Your silence and inaction on holding your peers and yourself accountable are harming students of color at Eckerd, particularly, Black students.

Your unwillingness to learn and hold conversation actively harms the entire community by making it unsafe for some of its members. We are seeking to mend that through education.