Local NAACP meets with Providence College students who allege racism on campus

By Kirsten Glavin

kglavin@abc6.com

@kirstenglavin

PROVIDENCE, RI –

Students said they are facing deep–rooted racism on the Providence College campus for years and an administration that won’t listen.  Five girls in particular told ABC-6 they were victimized at a house party, Saturday night because of the color of their skin.

"It was clear that they were targeting us, and targeting to cause harm toward us,” said Ivy Barclay, a Sophomore at PC.

"None of us, none of us that are out here… we don’t feel safe coming to this school,” added Adrianna Ateh, another Sophomore.

"I hope administration realizes this is not acceptable,” said Phionna Claude, Sophomore and RA. “We’ve had enough. And they need to start taking us more seriously. They need to start taking more proactive actions."

The girls said bottles were thrown at their heads, and that they were called racist names, such as, "you people."  Jeda Williams, another Sophomore, explained, "Someone yells… who does she think she is! Martin Luther King!"

The NAACP is now stepping in to try and address what they call ‘campus racism.’

"Racism at Providence College has to end,” said Jim Vincent, President of the NAACP Providence chapter.

Thursday night, the girls sat down with the organization, as well as city police, to voice their concerns.

"It was gut–wrenching to hear some of the young ladies stories,” Michael Correi, Detective Captain of the Providence Police, told ABC6 after the meeting.

The girls all said that while some professors have privately expressed concern, PC’s administration has not offered any form of apology, making them feel alienated and unsafe on their own campus.

"I’ve been hearing over the years that there’s a lot of racist incidents on PC’s campus, and I’m very upset about that. I think it has gotten to a point where these incidents happen with such regularity, that something has to be done,” said Vincent.

ABC6 did reach out to Providence College for comment Thursday night, as was only told that the college was investigating the incident.