UK was my dream school. When my dreams were shattered, I took action.
My name is Khari Gardner and I am a senior at the University of Kentucky, a Gatton management major, Lewis Honors Scholar, a activist for marginalized communities, and a young Black man in America.
The University of Kentucky was my dream school. I had dreamed of walking to Willy T to study with friends, watching stars like John Wall, and experiencing a new culture and space. Unfortunately, when I arrived on campus the first time those dreams shattered. From walking into orientation where you can’t find a single face that looks like you, to you being followed home and called racial slurs walking back to your dorm, called racial slurs taking the trash out at your dorm, to knowing your roommate was followed and called racial slurs walking back from getting something to eat (while nobody did anything), my perfect campus turned into a terrifying experience I couldn’t wait to escape.
Students like me weren’t considered part of the Wildcat community. We were outsiders, Black students from big cities who were considered a quota by their classmates, professors, and administrators. I would be always be asked the question “why did you come to UK?” in such a tone that almost told me that the person asking knew that UK wasn’t a safe and equitable environment for me to be in. The more these situations of harassment and un-belonging grew, the more I grew to understand that it was never a space that was built and designed to accept me.
The University built itself on the backs of slaves, powered (still powering) itself off the backs of people of color in their workforce, limiting access and opportunities to any person in marginalized groups. How could I ever expect to be in a situation where this institution could ever provide me with an environment to fully reach my potential and protect my mental and physical well being? For the past few years I was struggling with that question, thinking I subjected myself to this pain, this terrible investment, attending an institution like this.
Then a national uproar broke out over the deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others. On June 1, I attended a peaceful protest in Washington, D.C.’s Lafayette Park. Witnessing the crackdown of police, the use of tear gas, the onslaught of rubber bullets, the flashbangs, the screams, all of it was shocking. The chaos could only be described as a warzone, and the government had declared us young kids in Lafayette Park the enemies of the state.
When I arrived home that day, I spoke with my friends regarding what changes we could make on campus (at UK). I knew running from that assault earlier that I needed to step up and make my voice and other voices heard, I could no longer be complacent with the idea of leaving our systems the way they are. I knew some painful discussions and some revolutionary ideas were needed in order to start the push of UK administration to change. I took action. I founded Movement for Black Lives UK.
Our demands strive to address the gap and the divide of the different experiences of marginalized groups on campus, and those with historical privilege on campus and in our communities. Listening to the voices of other students, staff, faculty and community members on these issues has led to me realize that I am no longer alone on this campus. I know that this fight, this need for institutional structural change is deep and intersectional, all groups are welcomed and invited to join us in creating a better environment for everybody. I want to know that when I step off this campus with my degree this spring, we made this campus a safer, more enjoyable place and experience for at least one other student.
Even though some discussions have been difficult, we are committed to real tangible change on campus. No matter what disrespect, dismissiveness, and hatred are put as obstacles in our path, we will continue forward, accepting and forging a new path of love, community, and restorative equitable justice.
Khari Gardner is a UK student from Baltimore, Md., who founded the Movement for Black Lives UK.