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Xavier University Collection of Black Lives Matter posters

 Collection
Identifier: XUA-133

Scope and Contents

Collection contains posters created by multiple people, including students, faculty, staff, parishioners, and other community members, in support of the Black Lives Matter movement during 2020-2021. The posters were placed as a sign garden (yard signs) outside of Bellarmine Chapel on the campus of Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio) from 2020-2022 and feature phrases such as "Hate has no home here" and "Love thy neighbor." The posters were made on cardboard, plastic, and felt material; some lettering is faded or showing signs of fading making some illegible. They show evidence of weather damage from being outside. In addition, the collection contains a large black banner (94" wide x 36" high) that reads "Racism is a sin. Black Lives Matter" in yellow and white lettering. The bottom right corner of the banner featured the logo of the Ignatian Solidarity Network. This banner is the second one as the first was damaged after an act of vandalism by the Patriot Front.

Dates

  • Creation: 2020-2021

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use. Materials must be viewed by appointment in the University Archives and Special Collections Research Room.

Conditions Governing Use

The collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright was not transferred to University Archives and Special Collections. Copyright law of the United States governs the reproduction of copyrighted material. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials.

Historical sketch

According to their website, the mission of the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (OIDI) is "to provide university-wide leadership to promote and support the development and success of diversity and inclusion initiatives. Together, we transform the institutional culture by executing on our commitments to diversity and inclusion in all our endeavors and building a culture of accountability for advancing them. In this way, Xavier will be recognized as a national leader of inclusive excellence in higher education."

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), which was involved with efforts to create the posters, reports to the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion and works closely with the Division of Student Affairs. "The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) creates a diverse, inclusive, and equitable campus for all students especially for students of color, LGBTQAI + students, first-generation college attendees, and women. Offering more than 51 programs and trainings per year. The mission of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion is to serve as a catalyst for social change at Xavier and beyond. Their space and initiatives foster the development and understanding of:

Cura Personalis Belonging Leadership Cultural Responsiveness

They charge the entire campus to engage academically and socially across the intersections of race, class, sexual orientation and gender identity."

Bellarmine Chapel (St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel), is "a Catholic parish located at the center of Xavier University serving the campus and parishioners" from across the tri-state region. Bellarmine Chapel often engages in programming efforts with Xavier Uuniversity, including programs during the Black Lives Matter social movement beginning in 2020.

Extent

3 Cubic Feet (3 oversize boxes and 1 rolled banner (94" wide x 36" high))

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Materials are arranged into one series, Black Lives Matter posters.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

XUA-2021-009, XUA-2022-14 and XUA-2024-07, Transfers, Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, in 2021, 2022 and 2024. Posters were created by multilpe unidentifed individuals and were collected by the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion and the Division of Student Affairs and transferred to University Archives in May 2022. The banner was transferred in 2024.

Related Materials

News and photographs about the signs and banner were published in the Xavier University student newspaper. To view the papers, visit the collection online at https://www.exhibit.xavier.edu/student_newspaper_2020/

Processing Information

Loose dirt and environmental debris was cleaned off the surface of the posters prior to archival storage. The condition of the posters upon arrival in University Archives was a result of their outdoor display.

Title
Xavier University Collection of Black Lives Matter posters
Author
UASC staff
Date
2024-05-10
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives and Special Collections, Xavier University Library Repository

Contact:
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati Ohio 45207 US
513-745-4821