A controversial video featuring Audrey Godlewski, a student from UW Madison recently went viral on the internet. In the clip, Godlewski is heard using racial slurs and “threatening the black community.” The Audrey Godlewski video prompted petitions, and protests demanding her expulsion.
Following the release of the video netizens expressed their displeasure and called the clip racist. One of the social media users also shared the clip and mentioned the students at the university are demanding Audrey Godlewski’s expulsion.
Warning: The article includes material that features racial slurs and strong language. Readers’ discretion is advised.
UW Madison students release petition demanding the expulsion of Audrey Godlewski for racist speech
A video of Audrey Godlewski using racial slurs, threatening serious harm to the black community, and stating her intentions of wanting them to ‘pick cotton, dry up, and die’ went viral online. There isn’t any information available about the context of the clip. However, netizens expressed their shock at the harsh language appearing in the video.
https://twitter.com/immrpip/status/1653234185136373760?t=3x-5r-QVneHjwrAH4c8xog&s=19
Soon after the clip went viral and students of the University of Wisconsin-Madison filed a petition against Audrey Godlewski. She is pursuing a healthcare career at the institution. The petition submitted on change.org demands her expulsion.
The petition states that the students want to set an example as future alumni. They also want to set an example for past students who have done similar activities but didn’t face any consequences. At the time of writing this article, the petition has managed to get over 41,000 signatures and aims to garner 50,000 signatures.
The members of UW- Madison’s African, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (AHANA-MAPS) also released a response to the video through their official Instagram handle.
UW Madison released its official statement regarding the petition and Godlewski’s video
Following the massive backlash against the video of Audrey Godlewski, UW Madison officials released a statement on their website mentioning their awareness of the viral racist clip. They also mentioned that they are gathering additional information and providing support to affected students and employees.
https://twitter.com/frealhan/status/1653794537012174853?t=c0f9MJS98tClztWwPJhEBA&s=19
Apart from this, the university mentioned that content posted through private mediums from students or employees doesn’t subject to regulations from the university. The institution also shared that they are unable to take any action against the students posting unlawful material. However, they clarified that racial slurs and racism do not reflect or represent the values of UW Madison.
The students at UW Madison protest the university’s inadequate response
According to recent updates, hundreds of students marched to Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin’s office at Bascom Hall and delivered their demands of Audrey Godlwski’s expulsion to the officials. The students met at the Red Gym at 9 AM on Wednesday and held a sit-in demonstration.
Happening now: UW Students are protesting what they say is the university's inadequate response to a racist video circulating on social media. Reporter @omartwaheed is on the scene and will have the full report soon. pic.twitter.com/5bqN1MDV8k
— Madison365 (@madison_365) May 3, 2023
The protest was organized by The Blk Power Coalition, a student group that made its first known online statements late Tuesday. Demonstrators placed tape on their mouths symbolizing how ‘the university silences’ the voice of students of color, as per The Daily Cardinal.
UW Madison students are standing arm in arm by the library mall in a peaceful protest. The police have been called. They are not speaking but stand strong and united. As students are leaving class they continue to join them in solitude.
— Ayomi Obuseh (@AyomiObuseh) May 3, 2023
The demonstrating students presented Chancellor Mnookin with a list of nine demands for university leaders. Demands included the “immediate expulsion” of Godlewski, a public apology from the university, and academic accommodations for affected students.
The protestors shared their demands and pleas with the officials and had a question and answers session. They also demanded a response from the university in the next 24 hours to prevent further unspecified actions.
UW Madison’s Dean of Students Office received approximately 1,000 hate and bias reports
LaVar Charleston, UW Madison’s deputy vice chancellor for diversity & inclusion, arrived at the premise and joined officials in answering questions from student protestors.
During the talk, she shared “ [students] talk about more support for mental health, and more space. These are things [officials] are working on,” Charleston also shared that the university is working to help the students with ‘fund programs, policies, events, and activities.’
Along with @uwcdo and other leaders, I recognize the great pain that a disturbing, hateful video has caused in our Badger community.
We stand resolutely against racism and commit to doing the important and continuing work to make UW welcoming to all. https://t.co/YCPGgHPY1Y
— Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin (@uwchancellor) May 3, 2023
As per The Daily Cardinal, UW Madison’s Dean of Students Office received approximately 1,000 hate and bias reports as of Wednesday morning related to the incident. Regarding this, she shared the office is reaching out to students who asked to be contacted after submitting their reports.
When a student inquired about Godlewski the officials stated that the Federal Student Privacy Policy prevents them from sharing any individual information about their students. They also pointed out the increasing diversity statistics and promised to protect Black students.
Following the morning meeting Chancellor Mnookin said to the protestors that they should await the official’s response, “You will hear something from me soon.”
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