This interview was originally published online Feb. 25, 2026, as an on-the-record account of racial bias, harassment and actions that caused distress and alarm among some students at Gonzaga University following a Saturday (Feb. 21) event.
Since its publication, additional reports of escalating student safety concerns emerged. This occurred despite a social media post shared by BSU leadership three days prior on the Gonzaga BSU Instagram page, calling on individuals to “address anti-Blackness head on” and “that you hold each other accountable. Whether that be within your cultural club, friend group, or any other organization.”
This interview detailed the very concerns highlighted in that post through the recollection of the interviewee. The interview was conducted with the interviewee’s consent and reflected the individual’s personal perspective of the events at the time it was given.
As a news organization, The Black Lens has an ethical responsibility to document and follow up on reports of racism, safety and community experiences, particularly when they relate to issues circulating publicly through social media posts, screenshots and discussions regarding alleged incidents of racism and campus climate, especially when those issues are brought to us.
We do not undo coverage that has already been released after it was consented for publication and we stand by the rights of the First Amendment. We will update with corrections or clarifications as appropriate, but we do not censor.
Most importantly, we also recognize that acts of racism and bigotry may stoke fears of harm, retaliation, humiliation or embarrassment.
In consideration of those concerns, and out of an abundance of caution for student safety, The Black Lens aims to remain sensitive to potential harm that could arise from circumstances beyond our control while continuing to examine difficult and uncomfortable experiences involving race, which have been expressed. We stand against retaliation or reprisal and when considering impact, it should be realized that the impact of anti-Black racism on college students–as was shared on social media by those involved in what happened the weekend of Feb. 21–is, in and of itself, cause for safety concerns.
Additionally, the Gonzaga University Black Student Union requested that this disclaimer be published, which can be read in full online: “We would like to clarify that the views expressed in that interview do not represent the official position of the Gonzaga University Black Student Union Board. We recognize that individuals may have differing personal perspectives and experiences.”
For Rajane Edwards, what was meant to be a celebration of Black culture and achievement became another reminder of the challenges Black students say they continue to face at Gonzaga University.
Edwards, a senior and longtime member of Gonzaga’s Black Student Union, served as dinner chair for this year’s annual Harlem Renaissance event, a cultural gathering centered on community, history, and celebration. The evening began as intended, she said, filled with joy and pride.
“It was a really cool cultural dinner,” Edwards said. “Everything went totally fine.”
But according to Edwards, the atmosphere shifted as reports began circulating among students about concerning behavior during the event and later incidents at an off-campus celebration attended by Gonzaga students.
Cultural Celebration Interrupted
Edwards said she was informed during the dinner that some attendees who were not involved with BSU appeared to be attending with intentions that made students uncomfortable.
“I was told that white women and Asian women were ‘shopping for Black men,’” Edwards said. She explained that an attendee asked to be introduced to a Black student despite not participating in BSU activities. “They don’t show up as often in BSU, but want the benefits.”
She also learned from BSU leadership that another student experienced fetishizing behavior, involving comments about her hair and gestures perceived as inappropriate.
“When you talk about a Black person, first you don’t do that,” Edwards said. “It kind of got strange after a while.”
While Edwards did not witness every incident directly, she said multiple students relayed similar concerns, contributing to discomfort during what was intended to be a cultural celebration.
After-Party Escalation
More serious incidents were reported later during an off-campus celebration following the dinner.
According to Edwards, students reported that a jacket belonging to a BSU board member was stolen and that someone used the N-word during the gathering. Gonzaga BSU confirmed this report on their Instagram page in a post by BSU President Daija Joy. BSU leadership attempted to shut down the celebration after learning about the slur.
“Our president said, ‘Hey, we need to cut the celebration because I heard someone say the N-word. We cannot do this,’” Edwards said. “Some people were very dismissive.”
Online rumors soon followed. Edwards said anonymous posts appeared on a student-only social media platform called Fizz, where users shared allegations that BSU members had pulled guns, which she said was untrue.
“That re-establishes Black people as threatening,” she said.
Students debated whether cultural organizations like BSU should exist at all, framing them as divisive rather than supportive spaces.
“The reason they want to have these clubs is so they can live together or have some type of solidarity between one another because they can’t do it with you guys,” she said.
A Pattern, Not an Isolated Incident
Gonzaga’s BSU issued a statement to social media on Wednesday, reflecting on the university’s response.
“The lack of transparency, acknowledgment, and immediate action to address the events we experienced does not fully reflect the commitment outlined in the Gonzaga University mission statement,” it said. “Given the circumstances and concern over student safety and belonging in this community, we are severely disappointed with the timing and substance of the university’s response. After an exhausting wait, we received and carefully read the campus-wide email from the Office of the President addressing these events.”
Gonzaga President Katia Passerini released a statement to faculty, staff and students Tuesday night that university leadership had “received reports of racially insensitive comments, including anti-black sentiment.” Administration blocked Fizz from the school’s IT network and sent a letter to the company “expressing our concerns.”
“We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment,” Passerini’s statement says. “As a community, we can and must do better than this. Let us continue to be a place grounded in love, guided by justice, and united in care for one another.”
While the BSU appreciates the acknowledgement, Edwards said, “We were disappointed to see that it did not include clear accountability for the ongoing failures within the Gonzaga community.”
“These failures exist whether there is an anonymous app in use or not,” she said. “They exist in classrooms, community spaces, and residence halls. Through Fizz, the student body was exposed to expressions of Gonzaga campus culture that extend beyond what is formally communicated on campus tours or in promotional materials.
“For many students, including international, first generation, and other underrepresented populations, this reflected realities that are too often experienced but less often acknowledged.”
For Edwards, the events did not feel new. Instead, she described what she views as a pattern of racial incidents during her four years at Gonzaga.
“I remember being the only Black girl in my dorm, and they always tore my name off my door and left it in pieces multiple times,” she said.
Edwards recalled being perceived through racialized stereotypes by peers. She described the reaction as an example of fear shaped by racial bias, explaining that some classmates viewed her as aggressive or intimidating despite having little interaction with her.
She also referenced previous incidents involving hate speech written on a campus display wall and concerns about how campus security has interacted with cultural clubs.
Edwards said multiple bias reports have been filed following recent incidents.
Culture as Commodity
Edwards believes part of the problem lies in how Black culture is embraced publicly but insufficiently supported institutionally.
“Our culture shouldn’t be something to commodify,” she said. “We should not just be some award you put on a wall.”
She noted that cultural organizations often must fundraise independently rather than receiving consistent institutional support.
She also described stereotypes tied to Gonzaga’s national basketball identity.
“The first thing you think of when a Black person goes to Gonzaga is usually for sports,” Edwards said. “I actually had one White woman ask me what sport I played when I told her I went to Gonzaga.”
Calling for Accountability
Edwards’ primary message is directed toward university leadership.
“You need to do better,” she said. “Don’t be passive. Don’t be naive. Listen to your students when they tell you something is going on.”
She emphasized the importance of allyship of other students.
“I told my white friends, ‘Your voices matter in this situation. Your voice will get heard better than mine will,’” Edwards said. “I would have to walk a thousand miles for you to walk only one. Please just walk that one mile for me.”
Edwards hopes students continue advocating through letter writing, peaceful protest, and public dialogue.
“No sweeping under the rug on this one,” she said.
A Message to Future Students
As Gonzaga recruits incoming students, Edwards wants prospective families to understand the realities she says Black students may face.
“Don’t be deceived,” she said. Edwards cautioned prospective students not to rely solely on Gonzaga’s public image, saying the university promotes a vision of cultural unity that, in her experience, does not always align with the realities faced by Black students. Gonzaga’s mission statement emphasizes community, justice and respect for the dignity of every person, language that students say is frequently referenced in reactive statements issued by officials following incidents of bigotry.
Despite the challenges, she encouraged BSU members to remain steadfast.
“Keep your heads high,” Edwards said. “Don’t let this make you waver.”