On January 28, 1963, Clemson made history. As stated in an article by Clemson University’s Digital Press published in 2003, “it stands as only one of a few days when an action taken at Clemson truly affected the nation. It was “integration day,” the day that the first public, traditionally-white institution in South Carolina since Reconstruction admitted an African-American student.” (Press). On this day, Clemson admitted Harvey Gantt as a student, who is now remembered due to the Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center being named after him. However, as time has progressed, the nation has changed and racial equality is on the tip of every universities tongue. Without racial equality, many prospective students will go to a more diversity accepting college, thus leaving the other university in lost profit. Therefore, Clemson and many other universities are doing anything they can to make everyone feel safe and included. Despite Clemson’s efforts to enforce equality, not enough is being done for mixed-race students.

With the population of Earth ever growing, so to is the population of mixed race residents. According to a 2010 census in America, “since 2000, two multiple-race groups exhibited the most significant changes – the white and black population, which grew more than 1 million and increased by 134 percent; and the white and Asian population, which grew about 750,000 and increased by 87 percent.” (Jones, Bullock). This means that as these mixed-race children age, many will choose to attend a University. While there have been spikes in news coverage about equality for Hispanics, Asians, etc., there have been very few about mixed-race individuals. Lack of media coverage consequently means that mixed-race issues are commonly ignored. Not necessarily purposefully, but more so because not enough people are aware of the issues at hand.

There has also been a number of protests around our country's higher learning institutions regarding race. For example, at the University of Missouri, football players went on strike until the president, Wolfe, did something to resolve racism towards African Americans. (Connelly). And even closer to home, when Tillman Hall was recently violated because of its controversial name. It is clearly stated in Clemson University's Student Code of Conduct under Title IX number four, “no student shall take any action, which willfully or accidentally damages or has the potential to damage public or private property.” This means that while the students were trying to protest a building they deemed symbolized racism, they were breaking the rules of Clemson and therefore they wasted their time as Clemson wouldn’t take this act as a serious protest method. Another recent example of racial tension around campus was when the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity hosted a “cripmas” party. While this was mainly in the name of fun and a simple theme that it’s members could adhere to, many african-american students became upset. Later, in an email, Clemson’s president Clements said that “Clemson is better than this.” (Collins). There has been plenty of attention placed on full race students and ensuring their happiness and many students have teamed together to create a more equal environment for these students. In the case of Mizzou, they ultimately got what they wanted. There are, however, no large acts for mixed-race student rights.

If you walk around campus, you would quickly notice that the vast majority of students are white. Clemson is ranked number 1341 in most racially diverse out of the nation's universities. Beyond that, 83.3% of its students identify as white, while only 2.3% identify as two or more races. 6.5% identify as African American and other races percentages falter down from there. Therefore, it is not surprising that non-white students may feel like a minority. Frankly, it is impossible to expect Clemson to be exceptional at the care of every student’s feelings, but mixed-race students have a slim chance with the sheer lack of body they have here. In a business standpoint, it is better to make the masses happy versus the few, so mixed-race students are often not prioritized.

Recently, there was a study that I had personally participated in, here at Clemson, in which a graduate student from University of South Carolina interviewed eight mixed race students. Her main questions were how we identified ourselves, how we felt at Clemson, and if we would change anything that Clemson does for us. While she is still in the midst of writing her report, she emailed us a brief overview of all of our responses. The general consensus was that we identified purely as a general American, not heavily toward one side or the other. We also felt like we were not being discriminated against in particular, but rather forgotten when racial issues occur. Generally, because of Clemson’s geographical location, the main conflict arises between African-Americans and white students. However, when a student is both, they are often stuck in an extremely uncomfortable position, torn on which side to choose. Many of the fellow participants claimed that they wished they were taught how to cope with conflict that deals with both of their races as to avoid favoring one.

In an attempt to help minority students feel more comfortable at Clemson, a multicultural center was made. According to the Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center’s mission statement, the center is “committed to creating diverse learning environments that foster the holistic development of our students. The center supports and advocates for the needs of all students, challenges students to think critically about themselves and their communities, provides engaging experiential learning opportunities and empowers students to be positive change agents.” (Clemson). While the intentions are clear, the actual facility is a small section of the Student Union on Clemson’s campus. When you enter, there is a front desk with a secretary and a few rooms. From my few instances there, it seemed more like a guidance office. In general, sitting in a room facing a woman behind a computer is not enough to “foster holistic development”. While this building was named after Harvey Gantt, the first ethnic person enrolled, not a lot has happened because of them. In fact, the majority of the interview and study that I had participated in happened in the library and online, not in the center. While this may be due to lack of space, I and other participants expected to meet in the Multicultural Center, given that we are quite multicultural.

Dangerously, there is now a stigma surrounding mixed-race students. As discussed in a New York Times article written by Susan Saulny and Jacques Steinberg, many students are conflicted when it comes time to apply for colleges. In the article, an anonymous high school senior asked if it was fair for him to apply as full black even though he is mixed, in order to increase his odds to be accepted into his choice schools. While many people said that it was in fact unfair, some forms only allow you to choose one race even if you prefer to choose multiple. This is confusing and unfair to make someone occasionally choose which race they want to be and other times not. The stigma stems that mixed-race students will utilize whichever race will benefit them most, thus cheating the system. However, this is largely untrue. This stigma is only hurting mixed-race people from achieving equality because of some people’s opinions. Furthermore, many people believe that they get the scholarships of a minority and the treatment of a predominantly raced person, which isn’t true.

In modern day America, a lot is being done for colored students in public universities. Not only does this increase profit, it also increases status and helps it’s overall image. However, not enough is being done for the mixed-race students who are stuck in the middle. While their full African American and full Hispanic counterparts get aid and support, mixed-race students are often brushed under the rug as there is a negative stigma around them. Also, with the sheer lack of mixed-race students and institutions such as Clemson University, not enough attention is being put on these injustices.

"Clemson University Diversity." College Factual. N.p., 20 Feb. 2013. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.

"Clemson University Student Code of Conduct." (n.d.): n. pag. Student Conduct Code Review Committtee, 7 July 2014. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.

Collins, Jeffrey. "Frat Suspends Clemson Students over Racially Charged Party." American Renaissance. N.p., 6 Apr. 2015. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.

Connelly, Bill. "The Missouri Football Strike Was about a Lot of Things, but Mostly about Respect." SBNation.com. SB Nation, 09 Nov. 2015. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.

"Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center." Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center. Clemson University, n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.

Integration with Dignity: A Celebration of Harvey Gantt's Admission to Clemson, edited by Skip Eisiminger (Clemson, SC: Clemson University, 2003).

Jones, Nicholas A., and Jungmiwha Bullock. "Introduction." Introduction. The Two or More Races Population: 2010. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, U.S. Census Bureau, 2012. 1. Print.

Saulny, Susan, and Jacques Steinberg. "Mixed-Race Students Wonder How Many Boxes to Check." The New York Times. The New York Times, 13 June 2011. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.