Yet Another School Introduces Race-Based Housing

Western Washington University has introduced a designated housing area meant specifically for Black students.

The university’s housing webpage announced that “Black Affinity Housing” will be available on the fourth floor of Alma Clark Glass Hall {snip}

“The program will explore and celebrate the diversity of Black and African American people and culture, with historical and contemporary context,” reads the site.  {snip}

“Black Affinity Housing residents, representing all diverse identities, pride themselves on fostering a sense of belonging for all residents by creating a safe environment for open, honest, and sometimes challenging dialogue,” the website explains. {snip}

A webinar hosted by the university in April explained that Black Affinity Housing gives students “the opportunity to live in a shared space… with others who have a shared identity, specifically a marginalized identity.” The webinar hosts explained that black applicants to the university and black student organizations had called for the housing program.

The university emphasized that it is not “breaking ground on something new” with the program. Schools such as Stanford University, Pacific Lutheran University, Oregon State University, and Cornell University have introduced Black Affinity Housing.

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