Under the Baobab: 6 years after formation, CCU continues important dialogue in State College

In the fall of 2014, Tom King, who was at that time the chief of police of the State College Borough, and the Rev. Harold McKenzie, the pastor of Unity Church of Jesus Christ, called about a dozen citizens to a meeting held in the church hall. It was only a few months after Michael Brown, an African American student, was killed by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown’s killing was followed by many days of protest and civil unrest. State College had several student-led “die-in” protests.

Chief King and Pastor McKenzie wanted to discuss ways to avoid tragedies in our borough by promoting racial harmony through community discussion. Specifically, they wanted to open channels of communication between local police departments, students and community leaders, particularly those from under-represented groups. One of the problems they had in Ferguson was a long-standing climate of antagonism between the community and police.

The group continued to meet and evolved into the CCU, Community & Campus in Unity. CCU developed four goals: 1. Provide Education/Awareness; 2. Serve as a platform for students and others to be heard and where appropriate, recommend a course of action; 3. Establish a group to respond to high profile or emotionally charged issues in the community; 4. Recommend policy, protocols, and/or practices to other entities (government, Penn State, schools, businesses, etc.) that can help improve the quality and unification for ALL persons in our community. Strategically the group tends to avoid confrontational strategies and prefers to negotiate and develop consensus to resolve problems. But they will “go to the mat” when necessary to enforce a principle of justice.

Soon after CCU’s formation, two African American grad students, sitting in their car, were harassed by a white man outside a College Avenue club. The inebriated harasser, performing for his friends, started interrogating the couple about their right to be in State College. It wound up with the inebriated tormentor throwing a bottle at their car as they drove off. They reported it with no immediate result. The students contacted a teacher who, through CCU, was in touch with Chief King. Their communication facilitated the quick apprehension of the offender.

Later that spring an incident occurred one night outside a fast-food place on College Avenue. A loud discussion and disagreement over food service resulted in a female African American student being Tasered and arrested. She was the first person Tasered in State College. She was charged with resisting arrest and felonious assault of a police officer. She was in her senior year. A felony arrest would have deeply damaged her future. It turns out that she was one of the students who had come to CCU meetings. She was recognized by a police official who had also attended the meeting. This mutual recognition helped to de-escalate the situation. Things worked out with the cooperation of the district attorney. The charges were reduced and the felony was dropped.

In another example of CCU intervention, someone complained of the presence of Confederate paraphernalia being sold by an outdoor vendor. It was not illegal, but it was offensive to some. CCU began protracted discussions about the matter. The vendor ultimately pulled the Confederate symbols.

Recently, our borough and our country has been immersed in a discussion about racial justice, equality and white supremacy. CCU is a racially integrated, diverse group of neighbors who have facilitated dialogue between the community and police for almost six years. CCU is experienced and uniquely structured to engage this issue. Through Seriashia Chatters, the director of equity and inclusivity for the State College Area School District, CCU invited several high school students from the Peer Advocate Academy to a meeting. Some of them were involved in this summer’s Black Lives Matter and 3/20 demonstrations for justice. A lively and productive discussion was generated. Again communication preceded understanding and a rapport was established.

CCU meets once a month on the final Monday of the month at 5 p.m., usually in the State College Borough Building. The organization maintains a website at https://ccustatecollege.weebly.com There are nearly 150 people on the email list with about 30-40 attend the monthly meetings. King has retired as the borough’s chief of police. He and Pastor McKenzie still co-chair CCU. Jennifer Blackburn Miller, a doctoral student in adult education, dutifully records the minutes. A welcome addition to the group is Terry Watson, the founder of Strategies for Justice. CCU still draws representatives from local law enforcement. Nearly all local organizations invested in issues of social justice and racial equity are present.

We are in difficult times. A pandemic, a probable recession and social unrest run rampant as we attempt to find answers for questions which go back to the origins of the Republic. This presidential election season is clearly the most critical I have seen in my 70-plus years. The polls indicate that many people have already made up their mind who to vote for. Maybe it is as important to decide what to work for. That requires thoughtful people having thoughtful discussion about what is important in our communities. The citizens of the CCU are some of those people.