Bias Related Incident – April 19 Flyers
See post on Greener Commons as well: https://commons.evergreen.edu/t/biasrelated-incident-april-19-2016-flyers/9120
Incident Reported
A college employee and a student reported a flyer that depicted three photographs
of African American men with three simplistic and seemingly sarcastic statements
of what not to do in order not to be shot by police. Following these images is a
clip art image of a white man stating, “You don’t say?” Small flyers were also
reported that depicted photographs of an African American man wearing a
military/police uniform and an African American man holding a gun. The heading
on the flyer reads, “Tell me again whose life mattered?” and the captions under the
images convey biased assumptions about the response and focus of the Black Lives
Matter movement by questioning the degree to which the movement valued each
person’s respective life.
Multiple flyers were found in the following locations:
• taped to the “Black Lives Matter” poster on the door to the Academic Grants
Office in the Library,
• in the CAB,
• on the wall outside Einstein’s
There is no information about who may have created and posted the flyers.
The College aspires to foster an environment that is respectful, inclusive and
welcoming for all while also holding free speech as a prized value. Any biased
message toward any member of our community runs counter to our values.

Response
Staff promptly removed the flyers and scanned buildings for additional flyers.
The Bias Incident Response Team considered this incident by email on April 21st
and concluded that the content of the flyers was biased against persons identified

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 as protected under the College’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedures, and
specifically against people of color.
The College wants to identify the individual(s) engaged in posting and distributing
these flyers. If you have any information about who may be doing this, it is critical
that you contact Police Services or provide information anonymously using the
online incident report form.
Biased messages are unacceptable and we condemn the biased content on the
flyers. We value and want to support all members of our community and the
College does not condone such acts of intolerance and intimidation. Messages that
are one-dimensional, presented as propaganda, and question the legitimacy of a
social movement advocating for social justice for black people in the United States,
convey bias against people of color.
These flyers display a fundamental misunderstanding of the issues at stake in our
community conversations about race, racism, power, and privilege. These flyers
convey a message of opposition toward the Black Lives Matter movement and may
also be in opposition to the content shared in the Coming Together Series last
quarter in which the concept of white supremacy was addressed. Black Lives
Matter is a movement drawing attention to racism and violence toward a
community of people that has historically been oppressed, marginalized, and
discriminated against throughout U.S. history. Messages such as the one on these
flyers diminish the disparities experienced by people of color.
Copies of these notifications will be placed in the locations that the original flyers
were found.
Community Engagement
• Please contact Police Services at (360) 867-6832 or anonymously using the
online incident report form if you have information about this incident or
observe discriminatory or biased incidents in the future.
• Add your voice in opposition to actions that appear to be unwelcoming and
contribute your voice on Greener Commons.

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 • Participate in opportunities to increase your awareness and knowledge of
bias, racism, oppression, and privilege in our society and improve the
climate and experience at Evergreen.
o See the calendar for opportunities this spring.
o Consider some of resources shared below
• Share your suggestions with us via email.

2015-16 Bias Related Incident Response Team Members
The Bias Related Incident Response Team’s purpose is to help assess whether a
behavior, event or action may be bias-related; to assist in ensuring that appropriate
policies, procedures and protocols are applied; to help the College take a timely
and comprehensive approach to addressing incidents; and to aid in communication
with the College community about incident-related concerns.
, Student
Jamie Cooper, Associate Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services
Wendy Endress, Vice President for Student Affairs and Chair
Leslie Flemmer, Faculty
Sharon Goodman, Director, Residential & Dining Services and Interim Director, Recreation &
Athletics
Meredith Inocencio, Director, Access Services for Students with Disabilities
Holly Joseph, Interim Title IX Coordinator
Nancy Koppelman, Faculty
Meryl Lipman, Media and Community Relations Manager
Rashida Love, Director, First Peoples’ Multicultural Advising Services
, Student
Lorie Mastin, Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Officer
Tom Mercado, Director, Student Activities & College Activities Building
Nancy Murray, Academic Dean
Andrea Seabert Olsen, Senior Conduct Officer
Sheryl Shulman, Faculty
Ed Sorger, Director, Police Services
Todd Sprague, Marketing and Communications

Definitions
A hate crime is a criminal offense motivated in whole or in part by the offender’s
bias towards the victim’s status based on race, color, religion, ethnic/national
origin, gender expression, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation identities. A
bias incident is conduct, speech or expression that is motivated by bias based on

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 perceived race, color, religion, ethnic/national origin, gender expression, sex, age,
disability, or sexual orientation identities but does not rise to the level of a crime.
Additional Resources
• Winter 2016 Evergreen Coming Together Series
• Robin DeAngelo, PhD – Critical Racial & Social Justice Education
• Privilege, Power and Difference by Allan Johnson
• Beyond the Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh
• Showing Up for Racial Justice, a national network organizing White people for racial
justice

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