The Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a Solidarity March on Wednesday, April 14, bringing together more than 50 students, faculty, and staff, as well as several members of the administration, to support a “call for change and for the Cabrini community to come together with one common goal: to ensure that our campus is a safe space for all students.”
Event organizer and BSU Parliamentarian Gabriella Ayala (’21) described the march as a way to show the entire campus that Black lives matter at Cabrini.
“Changes start with us, at home—our home, Cabrini University,” she said. “We all must work together to create a better campus climate for all students.”
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Chioma Ugochukwu, PhD, addressed the group as they assembled in the Mansion Courtyard. She called on participants to remember Cabrini’s identity as a Catholic institution, committed to social justice.
“We always have to think about justice,” Ugochukwu said. “If you want peace, you have to have justice. The key is social justice, and that’s what we have here at Cabrini.
“It takes all of us. You have to take a stand for peace, justice, and equity. … We are going to do this [march] together and make sure Cabrini is a safe place for everyone. This is beautiful, isn’t it?”
The group, many wearing black and several representing Cabrini athletic teams, began their trek along Residential Drive, carrying posters with messages such as “My life matters” and “My skin is not a crime.” Walking together peacefully, they occasionally shared in group chants as they headed toward East Hall, past the Parking Garage, and on to the Commons.
A light drizzle of rain didn’t dampen the spirit of the march, as the group remained on the Commons for brief reflections from several speakers.
BSU President Naiser Warren-Robertson (’23) urged every to stand together for the Cabrini community.
“This is what Cabrini looks like,” he said. “We need to stand up for each other.”
Guest speaker Thaddeus Peay, a student at Bowie State University who works with the Greater Norristown NAACP Committee, encouraged everyone to love, because “love is justice,” and suggested that everyone “allow love to lead” to confront and eradicate racism.
Offering a similar message, Cabrini Chaplain Father David A. Driesch, O.Praem., said that love is the central message of Jesus, emphasizing that “hate has no home at Cabrini.”
Armani Parker (’23) was among the speakers who urged people to speak up when they experience racism, referring to an encounter she had on campus.
“If you stay silent, what does that mean?” she asked. “Speak up, stay united, because united we stand and divided we fall.”
Expressing his appreciation to everyone who participated, Yamar Cox-Mason (’24) compared his feeling of tiredness after the walk to a similar feeling when he learns about issues of police brutality involving Black people. He said he asks himself, “Does my life matter?”
He added: “Seeing events like this lifts me up and makes me feel like my life matters.”
Campus Ministry and the BSU are collaborating on a future event for those who have been affected by gun violence. Referencing the country’s recent mass shootings, Ayala said these tragedies are a reminder that communities must come together to resist racism and violence.
“They happen at the intersection of institutional failures ranging from gun violence, white supremacy, racism, and discrimination,” she said.
Ayala also expressed hope for the future, saying that events like the Solidarity March were helping to “move the needle in the right direction.
“It is our job as a University to uplift the value of belonging for everyone, and that should be threaded through every aspect of our work to create a better campus climate for all students.”
Update: The BSU and Campus Ministry will hold an interfaith prayer vigil for the Cabrini community to come together in a call for peace on Thursday, April 29 at 4pm in the Bruckmann Memorial Chapel of Saint Joseph.