Help RU Students build Memorial

The Class of 1971 has spearheaded a campaign to raise funds for a memorial plaza celebrating the life and legacy of Paul Robeson (Rutgers College 1919). Joining with the Class of 1971 to support this initiative the Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance (RAAA) has created an online campaign to contribute towards the remaining funds needed.  Alongside the individual donors and student orgs this online initiative invites us all to explore our connections to Robeson's legacy and our paths that start or intersect at Rutgers. "The initiative also encourages supporting the acknowledgment of Paul Robeson’s impact beyond Rutgers University as it relates to his world-wide travels and humanitarianism/activism. ~RAAA

Considering the modern-day diversity of our student body at Rutgers and their contributions to society through efforts to combat all forms of racism, sexism, bigotry etc. and more recently the struggle against anti-Muslim and anti-immigration sentiment. It was imperative to our students that they partake in celebrating Robeson's life as well as leaving a mark of their own on the plaza. As our Muslim and non-Muslim student orgs also recognize the role of black Muslims in the struggle for equality with leaders such as Robeson. 

Diverse student organizations have started campaigns to raise money in order to place an 8x10  granite tile, engraved with the student org's name and a dedication. Solidarity with the African American community at Rutgers in building this monument recognizes their struggles and the road they have paved for marginalized groups like our own. If it weren't for their sacrifices we would not enjoy the liberties we have today at Rutgers, in the US and on an international platform.  

In the spirit of Paul Robeson, I am personally pledging $4000 to purchase four tiles at the memorial. One will honor Dr. Ivan Van Sertima and Africana Studies, as a gift from my family and as an alum who majored in black studies and benefitted from the works of Van Sertima at Rutgers. 

The other tiles, I have already committed to purchasing will be on behalf of the Black Lives Matter group at Rutgers, Students for Justice in Palestine (New Brunswick & Newark) and the Palestine Chidlren's Relief Fund, RU. 

Now all we need is funding for, The Muslim Student Association,  Ahlul-Bayt Student Association, Arab Cultural Club, and the Pakistani Student Association. 

Now, WE need YOUR help in supporting and making sure our diverse student body is able to be part of this historical undertaking at Rutgers. The students will be actively seeking donations through this GoFundMe campaign in their communities to stand in solidarity with this celebration of Paul Robeson and the African American experience in America. As well as to celebrate their roles in fostering diverse and safe spaces for students to conduct and participate in movements that call for social and political justice on many platforms at Rutgers. 

PLEASE DONATE what you can, and at the end of this campaign if all the money is NOT collected I promise to pay all fees associated with gofundme and to finance whatever we couldn't collect of the $4000.  It is however, important that we do this as a collective to support our students and this historical moment at Rutgers.