‘There are too many white people in here’: Black woman shouts ‘this is a space for people of color’ at students in multicultural center – before University of Virginia says the facility is open to everyone
- The University of Virginia (UVA) scrambled to defuse a brewing campus race row
- Black student berated white peers for occupying zone, making her feel uneasy
- UVA said ‘these centers are open to all members of the university community’
This is the moment a black student sparked fury for yelling ‘there are too many white people’ in a campus multicultural center.
The University of Virginia (UVA) scrambled to defuse a brewing race row after the as yet unidentified woman was filmed on social media berating her white peers for occupying the zone and making her feel uneasy.
After grabbing everyone’s attention, she said: ‘If you all didn’t know, this is an MSC (multicultural student center) and frankly there’s are just too many white people in here.
‘This is a space for people of color, so just be really cognizant of the space you’re taking up because it does make some of us POCs feel uncomfortable when we see too many white people in here.’
Her comments sparked a furious online row before the university confirmed the space is for everyone.
After grabbing everyone’s attention, the student said: ‘If you all didn’t know, this is an MSC and frankly there’s are just too many white people in here’
The University of Virginia (UVA) confirmed the campus multicultural centers are for everyone after a black student berated her white peers
The clip quickly became viral on social media, with many tweeting the student’s attempts to turf white people out of the space were racist.
It prompted the university’s president, Jim Ryan, to clarify that the new multicultural areas can be enjoyed by all students regardless of ethnicity.
A statement said: ‘In order to foster the diversity of experience and ideas that make UVA a great and good place to study and work, these centers are open to all members of the university community.’
The black student’s rant has racked up millions of views online and triggered a massive backlash.
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk tweeted: ‘UVA established a “multicultural student center”.
‘Taxpayers funded it. This is what they’re paying for… How is this not racist?’
The clip quickly became viral on social media, with many tweeting the student’s attempts to turf white people out of the space was racist
YouTuber Sydney Watson echoed this outrage and tweeted: ‘Imagine if a white person stood up and announced there were too many black people in the room, and they make other white people uncomfortable… How is this not considered racism?’
Black American pastor Mark Burns said: ‘So this is why so many of our ancestors fought and died for freedom and equality just so we can have a BLACKS ONLY area?? Really!??!?’
In May, UVA approved student proposals to create the new Latinx – the gender neutral collective for Latino – and Interfaith centers while expanding the existing multicultural and LGBTQ centers, which it poured $500,000 into.
Describing the revamped multicultural centre, the university said: ‘All of the new centers pop with color, and are furnished with modern upholstered pieces designed for both comfort and beauty.
‘In addition to study carrels, HDMI-enabled video screens and dedicated conference rooms, the center has several unique, one- and two-person cocoon-like pieces of furniture called “clouds,” which are perfect spots to concentrate.’