When Northern Illinois University declared in January that it was “committed to confronting racism and all forms of discrimination,” students like Cedric Tientcheu felt seen. The bold statement on NIU’s website didn’t mince words. But by the next day, that messaging had vanished — replaced with a phrase many now see as a retreat: “dedicated to fostering inclusive excellence.”
To some, it’s a simple rebranding. To many Black students, it’s a red flag.
“First they change the words, then they water down the programs,” said Tientcheu, a senior and campus activist. “‘Confronting racism’ meant something. ‘Inclusive excellence’ could mean anything.”
The university’s choice of language came just days after former President Donald Trump issued an executive order targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across the country. Though the university hasn’t directly tied its rhetoric shift to the order, the timing wasn’t lost on students or faculty. And the response has been swift.
From Truth-Telling to Euphemism
Yanni Brown, a senior political science major, sees the change as part of a wider erasure. “Language can be stripped, but they can’t take our joy, our solidarity, or our power to create spaces where we thrive,” she said.
NIU officials claim the wording was updated to reflect the “polarization” surrounding DEI and to prevent the university’s values from being “misinterpreted.” Its website now describes inclusive excellence as a commitment to creating “an environment where individuals from all backgrounds feel welcome, valued, respected and supported.”
But students like Tientcheu argue that any effort to heal from racism must begin with clarity and courage — especially in the words used. “Racial healing requires calling things what they are,” he said. “If we can’t say ‘racism’ and ‘discrimination,’ how can we address them?”
A Pattern of Silence
This isn’t the first time NIU students have felt a disconnect between the university’s public statements and its actions. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020, Black students began publicly challenging what they saw as a pattern: the university’s tendency to showcase its racial diversity without making systemic investments in Black student success.
Those critiques grew louder in February 2023, when a petition submitted by faculty and Black student organizations called on NIU President Lisa Freeman to take specific steps toward racial equity. The petition highlighted three urgent concerns: a lack of Black staff and faculty, performative activism, and an absence of sustained community support.
The university never formally adopted the petition’s demands. Organizers say that momentum stalled just a month later.
“NIU is a campus with plenty of feel-good language,” one organizer said, “but not much transformative work.”
The Fight to Preserve Black Spaces
The debate over language is unfolding as longstanding programs meant to support Black students face external threats. Last November, a conservative legal group from Rhode Island sued two of NIU’s key racial healing programs — the Black Student Achievement Program and the Black Male Initiative — alleging they violated the Constitution by offering race-specific support.
These programs have long been pillars for Black students navigating a predominantly white institution. Now, their future is uncertain.
Ja’mari Easton, a junior, sees the language shift as a potential bridge. “If the programs are still there, why does the label matter?” he said. “This might actually help more students feel included.”
But others aren’t convinced. To them, rhetorical softening can’t be separated from a broader backlash against racial justice efforts — especially when institutions, faced with political pressure, appear more willing to bend than to stand firm.
As NIU students continue to navigate this shifting terrain, many remain clear-eyed about what’s at stake.
“This isn’t just about a few words on a website,” Tientcheu said. “It’s about whether this university will show up for Black students when it matters most — not just when it’s convenient.”
Originally posted by Quentin Brown | Word in Black
I’m noticing and feeling the same at my college here in MN. I attend Hamline University and I also notice a gap in their actions and their words. African Americans are never thought of needing protection. We are just as human as everyone else. It saddens me that we’re being dismissed in this way by institutions for learning. I also agree that for racial history to be properly rectified, it needs to be addressed plainly and clearly. The federal government is creating laws and taking actions to harm African American communities step by step. Soon enough, it will be illegal for us to even pursue education at all.