By ELLA WALTERS
As you walk through the Kang and Keefer pedestrian bridge into the Powerhouse, up against the back wall on the second/main floor was a photo gallery. This gallery described and showcased the Black Lives Matter banners that protested and proclaimed the importance of black equality on this campus and at large. This has been noticeably missing since the renovation of Common-Hamilton: Commiltons.
Where did it go? Why was it taken down? In January, when this first started entering conversation – I, Ella Walters‘27, asked around and found that no one seemed to know what happened or why. Last week, I found out.
When looking over the new plans for the space, Ron Watson, the new Dean of Students and longtime Health & Society and Political Science professor on campus, along with Gloria Bradley, Assistant Dean of Student Success, Equity and Community, Eric Boynton, the College’s 2023 inaugurated President, and some others had found that with the space transforming into a chaotic, busy, cafeteria it no longer fit the installation and invited presence with it. They decided instead to move it to Grace’s Place, an area located in Pearson’s lower level dedicated after Grace Ousley, the first black woman to graduate from Beloit College in 1904, where it can join in portraying the rich black history of Beloit in the center dedicated for its preservation. In its place, there are plans to put up a greater mural or commemoration of the many diverse people that make up Beloit’s campus and history.
In May of 2020, when George Floyd was murdered, protests erupted across the country and at Beloit College. In my interview with Dr. Gloria Bradley, she talked about the “Becoming Better Campaign” the College took part in, where the college made an active effort to uphold not just non-racist action but antiracism, actively working against racism and towards a just future. This effort is still stated as part of the college’s purpose on its website.
A part of the protests were the banners with the phrase “Black Lives Matter,” AKA BLM, which is both an affirmation that the often marginalized and suppressed lives of Black individuals do matter and also about the socio-political movement of the same name that works to combat racism and violence towards Black people.
The first two banners on either side of the bridge were hung in tandem with a July 2020 rally after repeated attempts to be taken down, and eventually, some area residents proved that the placement and display of the banners violated the city ordinance. At the request of the city, the College agreed to remove the banners in the understanding that the College’s administration, the Beloit city manager, and the council would look over the policy to allow the banners to be put back up.
During this time, the banners were hung on the Sports Center to stay visible, and students across campus, steered by Art Haus, had an event where students painted their own BLM posters that together shaped “BLM” on the bridge, and then later, large BLM letters were made. In November of 2020, a new ordinance was passed unanimously by Beloit’s city council, and the banners were put back on the bridge when the students returned to campus.
In May of 2021, the aforementioned photo gallery featuring five photographs of the various banners, as well as details about the affair, was hung up in the Powerhouse.
With the abrupt removal of the sign – especially at a tense political time with the current Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) rollbacks of the Trump administration, many students noticed and felt confused and somewhat disheartened by the installation’s removal.
After interviewing Dr. Bradley, who acknowledged the administration’s DEI rollbacks but expressed confidence in Beloit’s commitment to inclusion, I asked students about their thoughts on the gallery’s removal and relocation to Grace’s Place.
Yours:
Many students felt the installation should remain in the Powerhouse. Mateo Marec‘25 argued it belongs there as the space has become a central hub. Livya Phillip-Levin‘25 criticized the college for using construction as an excuse rather than an opportunity. Gene Abron‘28 questioned why the information couldn’t be in both locations, emphasizing that the entire school—not just Grace’s Place—should be a space for Black students.
Other students worried the relocation would diminish visibility. Jocylnn Redell‘25 likened it to “going back into the closet” if people couldn’t see it. Kwasi Asante‘26 believed the installation would be forgotten in Grace’s Place. Lyndall Breaux‘27 and Tae Charles‘23 stressed the importance of representation in the Powerhouse, with Charles recalling how Beloit’s Black student presence influenced his decision to transfer.
Drew Arhebun‘26 noted the installation’s role in raising awareness of the college’s stance, while Vansh Bhandari‘26 highlighted its ability to provoke thought. Alayna Furch‘24 supported keeping it in a high-traffic area, stating, “If it makes people uncomfortable, it is doing its job.” Maya DeGeorge‘25 even referenced rumors that the college’s stance on inclusion might be shifting to appease opposition, raising concerns about the institution’s true commitment.
At BSU’s annual gala, Ron Watson revealed the full story — how their rationale was that the installation would “get lost in the shuffle of all the noise” and in addition to finding a new location it was an opportunity to further energize Grace’s Place, imaging it as a “living museum.” He removed the photos by hand and assured that there was no mal-intent with that action.
Dean Watson acknowledged that if he went wrong, it was most likely in him making the command decision. “I should have told everyone,” he said, and later admitted that “I like to try and move really quickly to get things done, and I’m realizing that this is maybe an example of where I need to stop and ask a broader group of people what they think.”
He also revealed that he and Nathan Osterberger, the facilities director, have been cooking up an idea with Kevin Schober, Director of Recreation and Activity, and Tara M. Girard, Associate Dean for Recreation, Wellness and Engagement, about having a whole collage with Grace Ousley and some other black people and/or having “We are Beloit” made up of all the multicolored faces of Beloit diverse campus.
As our world, the country, and Beloit’s city and campus shift before our very eyes, it’s easy to feel like students’ voices are lost in the fray. Practices like communication, collaboration, and community, whether that be of the past, in the present, or the future, come to the forefront. As we exit Black History Month, it is important to remember the power of place in the spaces we occupy and the importance of protecting and stewarding our history and legacies.
Both Ron Watson and Dr. Bradley talk about being excited to collaborate with BSU and other students in co-creating these places and spaces.
Featured image: Beloit Daily News
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