Over the past few weeks, campus has been shaken up by a video of two non-Black first-year boys spewing derogatory language against the Black community. This video has sparked many conversations regarding race on campus, but it also brought up discussions about performative activism and its prevalence at Penn.
On social media, the video one of the students made with his friend spread alongside the student’s non-governmental organization, which he founded in high school. The mission behind the organization emphasized the irony of the controversy: It preached social justice and equity, stating that the organization “aims to foster an inclusive and equitable future through targeted campaigns and innovative grassroots projects that address the unique challenges faced by underrepresented populations. By nurturing the next generation of change-makers, [it aims] to build a global movement led by empowered youth who are united by a common understanding of [their] shared humanity, working together to create sustainable and equitable change for all.”
The organization did have a significant impact, according to its website, with campaigns that worked to support communities from Kazakhstan and Uganda. The project even landed the student a TEDx Talk, during which he preached the importance of globalism and building community in accordance with his work. I have no doubt that this work was ranked highly on his Common App and written about in an essay or two — it perfectly matches the Ivy League student archetype.
Ivy League universities are notorious for being the breeding grounds of geniuses and future changemakers. In a way, this stereotype has some truth, with Ivy League alumni becoming world leaders, activists, Nobel Prize laureates — the list goes on. Penn in particular looks for students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity and community engagement. Embracing the legacy of its founder, Benjamin Franklin, Penn specifically seeks applicants who “apply their knowledge in ‘service to society’ to [their] community, the city of Philadelphia, and the wider world.” On paper, the student arguably fit this criteria, yet his true persona and beliefs seem to be far from what he presented to Penn as an applicant.
The current controversy has caused me to doubt the high distinction that has been placed on Penn’s student body and opened my eyes to a prevalent performativity I didn’t notice earlier while I was examining brochures or walking through campus as an applicant. How many “changemakers” who sent a message to Penn Admissions about fighting for social justice and equity engage in oppressive actions and beliefs behind the scenes? More importantly, does Penn truly care about the falsified performance students like this put on? The signs point to no — in fact, Penn itself plays a role in this performance.
As I’m writing this, it’s been over a week since the video was leaked, and so far, the only notice students have received from the administration is that there is an investigation into the situation taking place. I wanted to give grace and believe that the students in the video would face repercussions for hate speech and that the administration would properly address it, but I now know that’s not the case. I know this because our Penn student handbook states that hate speech is not grounds for disciplinary action. The handbook states in Section 3 of the Code of Student Conduct that “[t]he University condemns hate speech, epithets, and racial, ethnic, sexual and religious slurs. However, the content of student speech or expression is not by itself a basis for disciplinary action. Student speech may be subject to discipline when it violates applicable laws or University regulations or policies.”
Penn, a condemnation of hate speech with vague — or even nonexistent — grounds of discipline doesn’t do shit. To supposedly seek students who work to serve others while maintaining inconsistencies in the fine print gives the University a significant role in its performative culture. Franklin said it best: “What you seem to be, be really.”
Our campus can’t be the supposed grounds of changemakers while permitting and protecting students who are against change. So, Penn — what do you really want to be?
GLORIA OLADEJO is a College first year from Coopersburg, Pa. studying law and society and Africana studies. Her email address is gloriao6@sas.upenn.edu.
