Alumni returning to campus did not expect overt racism to remain on campus. They want action.

“We students of color are all familiar with Oswego’s past,” Lola Osoria, a 2012 graduate, said. “Put pressure on our new president in terms of what we are doing now.”

Alumni and students of color had gathered for the “Brother/Sister Circle” to engage in conversation about the past and present of the university among several generations. The recent incident of racist heckling at student marchers loomed over the event.

A white motorist, allegedly a student, shouted racist remarks at marchers at the recent Peace Walk, a march organized by the Black Student Union to call for racial justice.

“F*** all of yall, f*** all yall blacks, and f*** your flags, put them down you f***ing pigs,” the man shouted.

Alumni of color encouraged students to not forget the incident and “keep it on the front page,” referring to The Oswegonian’s front page story on the matter.

One alumni expressed dismay at the incident, saying that she encountered things in the past, but “never this flamboyant, never this aggressive.” 

While the university announced at the march an investigation into the incident, there have not yet been any updates or statements from the school.

Aliyah Wright, BSU president, asked alumni for advice on what to do next.

Aloaye Tisor, a 2017 graduate, suggested students bring a petition to Nwosu calling for action about the incident. BSU has started circulating a petition.

“Let him know when you have that meeting that these hundred people are key witnesses to what we observed and what traumatized us on our SUNY Campus,” Tisor said. “That’s one step.” 

The event followed the inauguration of Nwosu as the 11th and first Black president of the university. As part of the campus’ Return to Oz VI event, the university invited alumni back to campus to celebrate. 

The Brother/Sister Circle intended to discuss organizational history, share career, financial and personal advice and hear each others’ experiences at SUNY Oswego.

“I am in awe to see all of these beautiful black and brown faces,” said Yvonne Spicer, a 1984 graduate. “We could never fill a room like this when I was here.”

Photo by Gabriella Patterson