This week, I’d like to introduce you all to Logan J. McMillan. Originally from Port Huron, Michigan, McMillan is now a chemical engineering student at Michigan Tech. She’s involved in several campus organizations, including the Society of Intellectual Sisters and the National Society of Black Engineers. She’s also been a part of the popular Mind Trekkers program, and has performed research in four different states.

Closer to McMillan’s heart are her two nieces and a nephew. She also enjoys painting, drawing and playing piano and told me, “Bringing happiness is a passion of mine.”

Here is her letter.

Dear White People, 

I have been involved in the local Houghton, MI community for several years now and I can say wholeheartedly that Michigan Technological University is like any other campus, it embodies the harmful and apathetic college culture that white society has sensationalized. However, this perverse trope is a recurring nightmare for BIPOC students, especially the women of these demographics. It is not something we can escape nor remove ourselves from after ninety minutes like those who experience discrimination in forced role-play diversity trainings.

I will not go into detail or list all the ‘isms’ that plague a place like this, but I want to delve into the uniqueness of Michigan Tech's shortcomings. What makes calling Tech out on their mishandling of campus issues difficult, is the ever-presence of its gatekeepers; the ones who will defend Houghton's safety rating until their dying breath. Albeit Houghton is a relatively safe place if we compare how many times I have been able to leave my car doors unlocked, my house unlocked, or walk home at night unbothered (sometimes), but because of this is it almost impossible to address other factors that make a place safe. For example, community security, accessibility to health care services, community respectability, etc. 

When victims of bigotry come forward with their experiences, it is often invalidated by these gatekeepers with statements along the lines of "I've lived in Houghton for years and never experienced anything like that!" or "Everyone in Houghton was so nice to me! I think you are overreacting." or my not-so favorite "I'm sure they didn't mean it like that. Sounded like a joke." 

I often find myself more appalled at the vehemence in the invalidation than the invalidation itself, as racial gaslighting is expected. The psychological abuse surrounding racism endured often occurs when a victim is led to doubt their own sense of reality through tone-policing, dismissiveness, and manipulation. It is an invisible threat encompassing techniques including withholding understanding, challenging someone’s memory of events, denying the realness of events, and/or downplaying the victim’s feelings as irrational or unimportant.

It is simple to change a campus' culture from bigoted to an equitable one that levels the field for BIPOC students. The reason why campuses like Michigan Tech will not take true action, the action that targeted groups have continuously and patiently demanded, against racism and misogyny is because they (the administration, student body, and community members) believe they will have to take extra steps to accommodate the BIPOC body. They do not believe it fair to go to all the trouble to make them feel safe, comfortable, or appreciated, however administration would be implementing resources that white and non-BIPOC students have been enjoying since the establishment of these colleges. 

The reason why these minority students will not see appropriate assistance, counselling, and support is because these administrations do not want to upset the people who keep their lights on. They cannot see themselves ever rocking the boat and relinquishing their all-access pass to the 'grey zone'—The area that allows them to "speak out" or "condemn" bigotry, but still grants them guilt-free access to the privileges they hold. What it comes down to, is administration and the like are not willing to give up their time to stop being complacent, listen and learn, and do what is right. 

Advantage is all they know, and the people of this area do not want things to change because they believe they will be treated the way BIPOC have been treated since American laws permitted us to step foot on these campuses. 

Our trauma is real. Our experiences are real, and they are not isolated. How many times can we be our own counselor, confidant, or friend? How can we continue to offer consolation when there is so very little left to give?

A poem I wrote in 2016 after the senseless murder of Philando Castile:

Warm Regards, 

Logan J

You can visit Di’or Armond Hill’s Instagram here. He performed Logan’s poem specially for this occasion.