The summer of 2020 held the uproars of social activists from every walk of life. In the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others,Toomer’s Corner was not exempt from the rumble of protesters hungry for change. As a result of these Black Lives Matter protests, individuals were inspired to organize. This group became Auburn Students and Community for Change.
“Auburn for Change is a group of students and community members in Auburn who are against all forms of injustice and oppression seen in our local community,” said Jediael Fraser, senior in software engineering and member of Auburn for Change.
Fraser said they had already been an advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement but joined the group during the summer 2020 protests in Auburn. They now attends the regular bi-weekly meetings with other students and community members in order to strategically address racial injustice in the Auburn–Opelika area. When issues arise in the community, they are taken into these regular meetings to be researched and discussed in order to confront them in a thoughtful way.
Beliefs representing the organization’s commitment to the City can be found on the Auburn for Change website. According to the website, the organization takes stands against any and all systems of oppression in the community and beyond, as well as against police or military propaganda. They are also a queer-affirming group and prioritize accessibility to all wanting to be involved.
They have partnered with other organizations such as the Standing Up for Racial Justice Auburn-Opelika chapter and Auburn Justice Coalition for organizing and educating. These other organized groups, who share a common conviction for social justice, have acted as guides and supports as Auburn for Change grows to serve its local community.
Auburn for Change also seeks out individuals such as Black Auburn University alumni whose voices started the conversation. The testimony of those who have gone before them is a crucial aspect of education for Auburn for Change.
“I’ve had the privilege of being able to speak with Black alumni, ranging in years,” Fraser said. “I’ve seen the parallels in our experiences and [in] the fact that the same doors keep being closed in our faces. That goes for Black alumni, students, community members and also for LGBT people and different people who have found their identities in conflict with Auburn University because they’re not in the majority.”
Fraser shed light on the exclusivity experienced by Auburn’s marginalized people.
“I found that people really want to love Auburn,” Fraser said. “There’s this mutual frustration that has never gone away. And it’s this grappling of wanting to feel at home here and wanting to feel like the Auburn Family means something but repeatedly having the realization and the knowledge that that’s not always the case for you. That has been true for so long.”
Farrah Bowman, senior in exercise science and Auburn for Change member, has been involved with the group since the protests in the summer of 2020 as well and has primarily assumed the role of fundraising and safety. She and many others involved with the group have experienced the various challenges that come with balancing being full time students, working jobs and giving themselves to fighting injustice.
“I joke and I always say, ‘Good grief! MLK did this every day in a suit? I’m not as tough as him,’” Bowman said. “But in a way, I am.”
Bowman said that the goal is to incite change and movement that has the longevity to outlast hers’ and many others’ time on Auburn’s campus.
“When we do things, we do not want to simply ‘do,’ we want to educate,” Bowman said. “I feel like the research that we do educates us on how we can change our perspective, be more effective, be more efficient and actually reach and incite change in people. I think the best part of the research branch of our organization is that we are not being ignorant. We are not just telling you how we feel, we are speaking in facts and I think that’s important when you’re talking about things like this.”
Auburn Students and Community for Change has taken a hiatus from protest in order to preserve the health and energy of its members, but they said the battle does not cease. They have taken new approaches to online education and movement until they physically organize again.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
