Villain or Princess: How Power Punishes Black Women Who Refuse to Be Silent

February 28, 2026

Michigan State University Trustee Dr. Rema Reynolds Vassar describes being publicly confronted by MSU's president at what she thought was a social event after she wrote an op-ed criticizing the university's dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. She argues that the university has significantly reduced funding for student organizations supporting underrepresented groups and eliminated key equity positions while racial incidents on campus have increased. Vassar contends that Black women in leadership face retaliation when they challenge institutional power, noting that she was previously censured in 2023 for demanding release of files related to the Larry Nassar scandal.

Who is affected

Dr. Rema Reynolds Vassar (MSU Board of Trustees member)
Black students at Michigan State University
Black Students' Alliance and its president Jayanti Collins
Council of Racial and Ethnic Students (CORES) member organizations
Board Chair Brianna Scott
MSU President and administrators
MSU trustees and administrators present at the February dinner
Michigan taxpayers (who funded the $2.4 million investigation)
Black women in institutional leadership positions generally

What action is being taken

Dr. Vassar is continuing to publicly advocate for students and demand accountability from MSU administration
Students have filed civil rights complaints (ongoing for four years without investigation, according to the article)
The university has reduced CORES funding from $100,000 to $4,500
Student organizations are being required to dilute identity-specific language
The university is issuing statements affirming commitment to inclusion and circulating internal memos with PR responses

Why it matters

This situation highlights the tension between institutional governance and administrative power at a major public university, where an elected trustee claims her constitutional oversight role is being undermined. The case illustrates broader patterns of how Black women in leadership positions face retaliation when challenging institutional decisions, potentially discouraging future accountability efforts. The dismantling of diversity programs during a period of increased racial incidents on campus raises questions about student safety and institutional commitment to equity. The conflict demonstrates the gap between administrative narratives about inclusion and the actual experiences reported by affected student organizations, with implications for how public universities balance compliance concerns with their educational mission.

What's next

Dr. Vassar calls on legislators, leaders, alumni, and concerned citizens to meet with Black Students' Alliance, CORES groups, and other impacted organizations to hear their experiences directly
She urges stakeholders to demand disaggregated data that would reveal the impact of the university's policy changes
Dr. Vassar states she will continue serving as a trustee and advocating for students "unapologetically"

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle