LSU’s football success, fueled by a predominantly Black team, contrasts with its limited support for Black students and faculty, raising questions about institutional priorities by a secret vote by the board of supervisors causing the black board members to walk out of the meeting.
The 12% Black student population and over 80% Black football team highlight disparities in recruitment and investment.
Governor Jeff Landry and the Board of Supervisors face criticism for secretly prioritizing athletic excellence over academic diversity and inclusivity by voting to ban teaching black history on campus, reducing hiring black faculty and staff, and allowing students to have resources to learn about black history, literature, and culture. Therefore, promoting assimilation and ignorance.
Furthermore, Studies in East Baton Rouge Parish courts reveal racial disparities, with harsher treatment for Black males when the LSU Football team loses a football game in the week after the game.
The silence from Black and White leadership underscores concerns about repercussions and retaliation, and the lack of citizens who is willing to risk the backlash.
LSU’s win cannot obscure persistent challenges in education, justice reform, housing, health, and economic development for Black citizens in the state of Louisiana under this administration.
When will we demand a stop to this madness?