On a rainy Thursday, Oct. 15, Shades of Pearl hosted a walk from Alumni Way
to the Seal. The walk was to raise awareness of injustices against women of
color, according to a statement from Shades of Pearl president Saqqara Goins
(’21).
As students gathered in Post 95 ahead of the walk, they were offered buttons
reading #SayHerName and electric candles from University Pastor Rachel Tune.
After a short wait, students were directed to move to a tent beside Alumni Way
where Fatou Jobarteh (‘21) began explaining the origins of the #SayHerName
walk.
In response to the July 2015 death of Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old from
Naperville, Ill, The African American Policy Forum and The Center for
Intersection and Social Policy Studies at Columbia Law School released a report
detailing stories of women of color killed by police. After explaining the
origins of the #SayHerName walk, Jobarteh handed the conversation to Goins, who
organized the crowd of approximately 40-50 students, faculty and staff to begin
walking towards the Seal.
As the group headed past Weaver Chapel, Goins began leading a chant of “Say
Her Name” which continued to be shouted until the group arrived at the Seal.
Upon arrival, Goins and Jobarteh thanked members of the group for attending
and implored women in attendance to be involved with Shades of Pearl.
