A University at Buffalo art student has admitted to hanging controversial signs on campus. The student, identified as Ashley Powell, is a graduate fine arts student. Earlier this week signs were discovered on the north campus that stated 'Whites Only' and 'Blacks Only'. UB Police received several complaint calls. On Wednesday evening Powell appeared at at meeting of the Black Student Union admitting to posting the signs.
Powell, who is African American, explained that her art project was to describe her personal encounters with racism. But many students were offended by the signs.
"I am in pain. My art practice is a remnant of my suffering, but also an antidote that brings about healing. The afflictions I suffer from are self-hate, trauma, pain and an unbearable and deafening indignation. White privilege and compliance only exacerbate my symptoms. Non-white suffering is the greatest psychological detriment that I have ever faced, and one that many individuals undoubtedly face as well. It manifests as a blatant or furtive acknowledgement of inferiority to the dominant group. It results in a trauma that is perhaps more destructive and damaging than any physical, legislative, or societal oppression an individual may ever face," wrote Powell.
Powell issued a statement to the campus newspaper The Spectrum. She wrote she 'apologized for the extreme trauma, fear and actual hurt and pain' caused by the signs. But Powell did state she does not apologize for what she did.
The University released the following statement Friday afternoon in response to the student's actions:
"The University at Buffalo is a community that strongly values inclusiveness and diversity. Faculty, staff and students from all backgrounds and cultures challenge and inspire each other to explore, discover and expand their world view.
We are committed to ensuring that the University at Buffalo is welcoming and supportive of all members of our community. On a daily basis our faculty and students explore sensitive and difficult topics in an environment that values freedom of expression, and this week’s student art project is generating considerable dialogue.
The university is encouraging our community to discuss how we negotiate the boundaries of academic freedom in a safe and inclusive environment that values freedom of expression and further builds a culture of inclusion.
The University at Buffalo stands strong in our commitment to ensuring that such discourse occurs in a safe, inclusive and intellectually open environment."
Powell's Facebook page states she's a native of Chicago and moved to Buffalo in 2014 to attend UB. She serves as a teaching assistant at SUNY UB. She previously worked at Southeast Missouri State University as a gallery attendant.