The anti-racist graffiti wall was full of student, faculty and staff comments by 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 1, as members of the UW-Platteville community spoke out against hatred on campus. After 9:30 a.m., contributors started layering graffiti on top of graffiti, offering statements in English, Spanish, Arabic and a few Confucianism symbols.

Photograph by Jodi Krautkramer


Director of University Diversity Initiatives Carlos Wiley made his contribution to the wall, which was entirely covered by 9:30 a.m. with positive messages from students, faculty and staff.

“I was pleasantly surprised at how many students participated and had great things to say,” said Katharine Caywood, senior art major and head of the project. “We had a good representation of minority students and white students and faculty and staff members.”

Carlos Wiley, director of university diversity initiatives, said he thought the wall was a good way for people to speak up against acts of hate.

“Since the project came from students, I believe it does speak to the fear that many people had of lots of students not willing to talk about racism,” Wiley said.

Hundreds of comments made their way onto the wall including phrases such as, “Life is short, just love,” “Divided we fall,” and one in Spanish: “Es como nos samos,” which means “This is how we are.”

Senior art major, Julie Otto, provided a personal statement on the wall: “My generation’s apathy, I am disgusted with it. I’m disgusted by my own apathy too for being spineless and not standing up against racism and sexism.”

Wiley suggested more publicity of the wall and a program to address the issues of why the wall was there.

The wall was initiated by art students and Pioneer Advertising Federation and was set up outside of Boebel Hall with the help of the physical plant.

The professors of the art department donated cans of spray paint. In addition, six extra cans had to be purchased which were paid for by the art department. Sign-up sheets were passed around the art department for students to volunteer time to monitor the wall, including art survey students, many of whom are not art majors.