No problems at Florida Gulf Coast University on first day of 'White Racism' class

A "White Racism" class met for the first time Tuesday at Florida Gulf Coast University as campus police officers stood guard at the building where the class was held. 

Officers were inside and outside of Reed Hall as the class met on the second floor of the building for more than an hour. The first day of class was spent reviewing the syllabus, course requirements and the expectations of the course's teacher — Ted Thornhill.

The officers were stationed at Reed Hall as a precaution. Thornhill, an assistant professor of sociology, received some disturbing emails and phone messages from people upset about the course. A few of his students mentioned they had safety concerns. 

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But It turned out to be a normal day at the university with no problems.

"It was pretty cool," said JoAnna Edeme, a student who is taking the class. "Everybody was chill. We are here to learn."

Reporters and cameramen camped out on the first floor of Reed Hall, waiting for the class to end and to talk with Thornhill and his students. The class has garnered national media attention and controversy because of its name.

No protestors showed up outside Reed Hall. Students strolled by the building on the way to class Tuesday morning. Inside Reed Hall, students sat on couches on the first floor as they stared at their laptop and cell phone screens before the start of their classes.

FGCU sociology major Zack De Armon was among the students. He said he wanted to take the class because of the issues it will deal with, but it was already full by the time he learned about it.

"There are a lot of people that ... don't even know that white privilege exists anymore, and it does," he said.

In Thornhill's class, things went smoothly.

"Everyone was pretty pleasant," FGCU senior Natoya Lambert said. "There was no real tension. He was really funny. Everyone was laughing. It was a good first day."

Thornhill said he briefly addressed the class about the controversy surrounding the course and why there was a police presence at Reed Hall.

He said he told his students he didn't think there was much to be concerned about, but FGCU had prepared in case people showed up and tried to disrupt the class.

Thornhill said when the class meets Thursday it will begin to have discussions that pertain more to what the class will be about.

He said over the course of the semester the class will talk about ways white racism manifests across a range of institutions, including criminal justice, education, the workplace, families, romantic relationships and media.

Thornhill also said he is going to make the emails and voicemails he received part of the course. He said he will use them to illustrate to students what can happen "when one challenges a system that benefits certain segments of the population."

"Lastly, what we are going to do ... is give students an opportunity to learn about ways to challenge and push back against a system ... that discriminates and marginalizes and trivializes people who are not racialized as white," he said.