The Evolution of Trotter Multicultural Center
Making homes away from home
—By Adetola Oyelade
“If Trotter didn’t exist, I don’t know where I’d be,” says Amiyah Blackwell, a Black freshman majoring in Environmental Science at the University of Michigan. Many would assume that because of Blackwell’s freshman standing, she would not have much attachment to certain spaces on campus so soon. However, according to her and her friend group, they have already made memories and a home out of the Trotter Multicultural Center.
In recent years, Trotter has become a primary study and hangout spot for Black students. Temitayo Oyelade, an upperclassman majoring in Computer Science, recalls his first time at Trotter for Black Welcome Week, saying, “As soon as I saw it, I immediately knew it was going to be my favorite hangout spot.” This makes sense considering the center is filled with beautiful amenities such as vibrant rooms, murals and posters recognizing students, and even a kitchen that is accessible to students. With all of these luxuries available, it is hard not to like Trotter. But what specifically keeps Black students in attendance in the center as opposed to the other libraries and lounges on campus?
The origin of Trotter
In 1968, University of Michigan students gathered to protest the campus climate following the assassination of Martin Luther King. Around this time, students and Black organizations such as the Black Student Union, Black Law Student Alliance, Black Student Psychological Association, and the Black Educational Caucus formed together to form a movement—the Black Action Movement (BAM). The Black Action Movement held a series of protests on campus that challenged, and ultimately changed the overall campus experience of minorities at the University of Michigan.
In February of 1970, student protestors of BAM made twelve demands of the administration of the University of Michigan, one of them being the establishment of a Black Student Center. Students went on to protest and strike until their list of demands was met. Finally, on April 1st, 1970, then-President Robben Wright Flemming created an alternative proposal to student demands that included creating a Black Culture Center.
The creation of this Black Culture Center would be called Trotter House, today known as the Trotter Multicultural Center. Formed in 1971, the Trotter House was utilized to “assist with students who encountered obstacles in their educational process.” The center is named after William Monroe Trotter, an American journalist and radical civil rights activist in the early twentieth century.
Trotter House first opened on November 15th, 1971, and was shortly closed on May 7th, 1972 due to a fire. Despite rumors of the fire being racially-motivated arson, the cause of the fire was ultimately believed to be the result of a defective water heater. Things would look up in June of 1972 when the University of Michigan purchased a former fraternity house to move the center to. Since then, the Trotter Multicultural Center has expanded to a $10 million facility located on State Street, working to represent a variety of different cultures.
Today’s Trotter is not yesterday’s: #OccupyTrotter
While the legacy of Trotter still lives on, the moral foundation of the center seems to have become blurred over the years. Recently, there has been some debate over the usage of Trotter by White students. Many Black Students have argued that White students and organizations have been taking over the center that was initially curated for Black Students to act as a safe space at a Predominantly White Institution.
On February 22, 2022, Byron D Brooks, a Black dual degree graduate student attending the University of Michigan, took the initiative to take action against this by writing a letter to the Board of Regents, asking them to address this issue. Brooks’ letter was met with a response from Charles Hilu, an Editor-in-Chief at the Michigan Review, a conservative/libertarian news publication at the University of Michigan. In this response, Hilu essentially goes on to say that White students have just as much a right to the center as Black students do since it is funded by their “tuition and tax dollars.” Hilu also argues that if Black students feel so uncomfortable around other races, the solution is “more integration.”
Upon reading this response article, many Black students were outraged. Sierrah Galloway, a Black sophomore attending the University of Michigan, stated, “He is clearly oblivious to the origin of Trotter and the significance of it to the Black community here.” Another Black student who requested not to be named stated, “[Hilu] does not know how the integration works. A less than 4 percent Black student population to a 62 percent White student population is not and will never be a form of integration. Hence why we want one space on campus where we can have some type of community.”
This entire encounter birthed a different movement, #OccupyTrotter. “#OccupyTrotter” was curated out of an agreement amongst the Black population on campus to keep the center occupied with Black bodies at any time. It became a hashtag on Instagram, Black students showing up after and before class, and Black organizations moving their weekly meetings to Trotter. For many Black students, this hashtag brought the Black community on campus even closer. Lauren Collins, a Black sophomore attending the University said, “I feel like Covid really decreased the number of people attending Trotter as people often stayed home in an attempt to social distance. However, I feel like the hashtag brought so many people out of their dorms.” Agreeing with her, Oyelade admitted, “Before [#OccupyTrotter] came out. I didn’t come to Trotter as much but ever since it came out, I make sure to come here at least once a week.” This hashtag, although not common on social media anymore, has not ended. Black students continue to make their best effort to keep Trotter occupied.
A home away from home
It is hard to come to a school where the majority of people present look nothing like you. It often causes imposter syndrome in Black students. Trotter remedies this by offering a sense of community. Marvin Tetteh, a Black freshman majoring in Business attests to his experience: “I’m originally from New York. Coming to the University and seeing so few Black people overwhelmed me a bit. When I discovered Trotter, I was instantly relieved. I began coming here every day and even met my friend group here.” Black Student Organizations also recognize this feeling and intentionally plan meetings and events at Trotter.
One event was the infamous Block Party, which takes place every August during Black Welcome Week, a week-long event hosted by different Black Student organizations in an effort to welcome Black Students into the new school year. This annual party showcases all of the potential Black student organizations available to students. Jala Taylor-Pickett, a freshman majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, shares how she discovered the center saying, “Before I got here, I noticed that a lot of the events taking place during Welcome Week were held at Trotter. Little did I know, I would become hooked to this place.”
The Black Community at the University of Michigan sees Trotter as a home away from home. Many Black students share memories of walking into the lounge at the center and being greeted by every other student in the room, despite being acquainted with one another or not. The creation of Trotter has curated friendships, memories, and most importantly community amongst the people who may need it the most.
Trotter, not a trend, a trophy
Throughout the numerous interviews, one may conclude that Trotter is not just a trend, it is a true joy and pride for Black students across the campus. It serves as a safe haven, outlet, and meeting spot for many which keeps Black students in attendance. The creation of the center has moved so far from just the basis of assisting students with their educational journeys and has moved on to being a hub for networking opportunities, hangouts, and study spots. It is truly beautiful to see the impact this center has had on the University of Michigan’s campus. What was once created out of the fight for a better Black experience on campus has created generational courage to gather in the community and continue to fight for a better Black experience at the University. “Trotter is my home away from home,” emphasizes Galloway.
Photo by Vonecia Carswell on Unsplash