Monday October 1, 2018 at approximately 5:52pm Rowan students received an alert indicating Glassboro police had identified a vehicle belonging to an individual who was reportedly armed. This brief alert did not disclose that the vehicle belonged to an unarmed black Rowan University student, who was wrongfully profiled. Altaif Hassan was driving in Glassboro when he was suddenly asked to pull over by several Glassboro police officers. Soon after, officers drew their weapons on Hassan and Giavanna Roberson, who was also in the vehicle.
Several students of color took to social media to express their disbelief from police brutality occurring on their own campuses. However, this is not the first time in which black students have been targeted by cops at Rowan University. During an interview with NJ.com, Hassan even expressed memory of being pulled over by Rowan police previously up to twenty times before Monday’s incident. Ayala Gedeon, student leader, says, “There’s always been a correlation between overpolicing at what my peers like to call ‘Black Rowan Events.’” In comparison to events held by predominantly white student organizations to the few minority organizations which exist on campus, there is always a strong police presence. Uniformed officers are apparent throughout the venue, closely watching and guarding the exit. Meanwhile, police are almost never noticeably present, and these events are never shut down for being “too rowdy or aggressive.” We are taught that college is a place where we are encouraged to be ourselves, a place where we can come into our own. Why are we being profiled for doing just that? If college is meant to be a safe space, then why are we feeling less and less safe on our own campus?
Rowan University is not the only college where black students often find themselves pitted against campus police officers. Just last week officers at the University of New Haven were called on a group of black students singing gospel music because passersby assumed these students were “intoxicated” and accused them of causing a scene. Earlier this year at Yale University, a black student was woken up by police officers when taking a nap because a witness called the campus’s security, believing the student was an intruder. In 2015, an unarmed black man was shot and killed on The University of Cincinnati’s campus by a campus police officer.
What does one do at this time when things seem so hopeless? Speak up! Don’t suppress your voices in an attempt to be more palatable or more accepted. You are not responsible for anyone’s perception of you, especially when that perception is based on skin color. Continue to stand up for what you believe in. The student reactions to this incident on social media show that students of color at Rowan University have no problem rallying behind their peers. However, this passive social media activism is not enough; there are organizations put in place so students have an active voice and we must use them to our advantage. A Town Hall was held on Friday, October 5th at 11am in the Student Center Ballroom for student to express their feelings and experiences regarding the relationship between Rowan students and the police. Attend events like this one in order to speak out and incite change.