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An recent op-ed by Columbia undergrad Yasmeen Ar-Rayani argues that the University acts as a colonial force in Harlem by taking advantage of a highly unequal education system:
But what can we make of the educational component of this particular project’s PR campaign, given the “separate and unequal” reality in which local schools operate? In effect, Columbia is taking advantage of educational apartheid in order to sugarcoat its expansion. If Harlem had quality schools despite its low property tax level, it wouldn’t need the services that Columbia provides and subsequently uses to justify the displacement of local residents. These educational initiatives do not work against educational apartheid; they work with it. It is a classic colonial strategy to strike with one hand and give with the other. Student volunteer work appropriated by the administration is a part of this overall operation, despite its alliance with the gentler hand.
This effort to cloak expansion with “charity” adds insult to injury. In 2007, University President Lee Bollinger spoke on the Manhattanville expansion at a local community board meeting. Though he was heckled throughout his speech, the roar of the crowd climaxed when Bollinger listed the “benefits” that the expansion would bring to Harlem. Despite the verbal attacks, there he stood, grinning relentlessly, a white man informing people of color that the takeover of their territory is in their best interest.
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