After a video of a white student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison making racist remarks began circulating online, students are demanding school administrators take action.
In the now viral posting, the student, identified as Audrey Godlewski, can be heard saying she wants to claim her own life before launching into a rant where she makes her remarks and says the N-word.
“I’m going to go back and haunt every f***ing little N***** who f***ing did me wrong,” Godlewski can be heard saying. “I literally hate all of them. I’m going to make them pick f***ing cotton in the fields. All day long till they f***ing die of f***ing thirst … their bodies are going to dry out because of how much cotton they’re picking for me.”
So far, the school’s administration has not taken action against Godlewski or her friend, who can be heard laughing in the video as she goes on her rant.
In a statement released Monday, school officials said they were aware of the video, and it does not reflect the values of the campus. It also shared that the video was posted on private social media accounts, which the university can not regulate or control.
“The university is aware of a video recently posted to social media that contains deeply harmful and offensive racist slurs and references,” the university said. “The Dean of Students Office is gathering additional information, collecting bias reports, and offering support to affected students and employees.”
Students are continuing to push for action to be taken against Godlewski, saying that not enough has been done.
The Wisconsin Black Student Union posted a statement to Instagram, calling out Godlewski for her actions.
“The Wisconsin Black Student Union is infuriated with the recent actions and words spoken by Audrey Godlewski and her peers,” the statement said. “It is hurtful and absolutely repulsive, though not uncommon, to hear a white student use such hateful language and racial slurs that are disrespectful and degrading to our community.”
The statement goes on to say that the university has “failed to uphold” its own principles of “inclusivity, diversity, morals, and respect” by not taking serious action against the student.
“This is not the first time white students have taken it upon themselves to use such offensive and racist slurs towards the Black community on this campus,” the group alleged.
Black students make up 2% of the school’s student body, a fact pointed out in the WBSU’s statement.
“There are rules that are in place to ensure that all students are welcomed,” the statement said. “These rules should apply to all students regardless of their race. This isn’t over.”
Students have now begun a petition, calling for the university to expel Godlewski from the school. So far, the petition has more than 30,000 signatures, just under its goal of 35,000.
“We will not stand for this nor condone this behavior and we need to take a stand,” the petition says. “We need to set an example for the future students to come and for the students who have done the same, but have not been caught.”
Wisconsin State Rep. Francesca Hong (D) tweeted about the situation on Monday, saying that her heart was with Black students at the school.
“My heart is with the UW-Madison Black community, especially the students, who have had to witness and experience yet again racial harm on their campus,” Rep. Hong tweeted. “The comments made in the video were vile, threatening and have no place at UW-Madison or anywhere.”
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