A group of students and faculty at Wesleyan University in Connecticut petitioned to boycott and defund the campus newspaper because “it neglects to provide a safe space for the voices of students of color.”
The controversy over the newspaper, called the “Wesleyan Argus,” apparently arose over an opinion piece published last week that criticized some aspects of the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
“The undersigned agree to boycott the Argus, recognizing that the paper has historically failed to be an inclusive representation of the voices of the student body,” the petition stated, according to a post in the Argus.
“Most specifically, it neglects to provide a safe space for the voices of students of color and we are doubtful that it will in the future,” it continued.
The petition demands that the newspaper “create work/study course positions,” provide “a monthly report on allocation of funds and leadership structure,” require a “once-per-semester Social Justice/Diversity training for all student publications,” “active recruitment and advertisement,” and last but not least:
#related#“An open space on the front page in the publication dedicated to marginalized groups/voices, specifying that if no submissions are received, the Argus will print a section labeled ‘for your voice.’”
The petition had been signed by 147 students and faculty members as of Monday night, according to the Argus.