This past Halloween, six young sorority girls night of holiday enjoyment turned into a nightmare. This may sound like the typical story line of a Wes Craven or Stephen King film, but I guess in this case Freddy Kruger’s terror has manifested itself into reality. Phi Mu Sorority hosted a Halloween party with an 80’s theme. Six young girls decided to dress up as the Huxtables from the famous Cosby Show. The show was about a happily married couple, a hard working and successful African American family; which defied the stereotypical perceptions of African Americans that were - and still are - common throughout the media and a society that thinks African Americans are all the same. It seems like a cool idea right? The only problem was that these six sorority girls were white. How did they pull this off you ask? They went to the party in Black-face.
Before anyone gets angry or yell OMG, let me ease your mind by saying that this “movie” takes place in Southern Mississippi; at the University of Southern Mississippi to be exact. Right now I’m sure most of you are not surprised now or maybe you’re saying to yourself, “typical of such a backward Mississippi society.” While it may seem unimportant to you, it is very much important to me. I not only attended this university, but I also hold a grudge because of the universities (and the state’s) continuous failure to diversify its curriculum by making Multicultural Studies a requirement instead of a punishment. It is no secret that the education system in Mississippi is beyond broken, but the “Old South” mentality of many people who live there plays a big role in the collapse of the education system.
I personally blame the institution rather than the six young women. If the institution was serious about diversity/multiculturalism, then it should have been a requirement for all USM students years ago. These women simply did not know (just as most people at USM dont have a clue). It's not their fault! I have no doubt that these women had no intentions to harm anyone, but it is definitely true that people (MS especially) are not educated on the evolution of the historical/psychological oppression of African Americans. I don't have a problem with anyone dressing like a successful African American family, but I absolutely have a problem with schools in MS that don't make Multicultural Studies a requirement when most students come into college with preconceived stereotypes of others. It is dangerous in a place like MS! If they were educated on the historical perspective of Black-face, then they would have some sort of understanding of why some people would be upset. The idea may have been acceptable to a younger individual, but definitely not to older persons regardless of color.
“Though it is clear that these women had no ill intent, it was also clear that they had little cultural awareness or competency, and did not understand the historical implication of costuming in blackface,” said Dean of Students Dr. Eddie Holloway. “We thought it important to begin an open dialogue immediately, and all those involved were not only cooperative but open, honest and candid.” Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Joe Paul said, “Though clearly without overt intent, this photo was offensive, insensitive and regrettable, and is counter to the rich appreciation for diversity that marks our student body.” I have so much respect for Dean Holloway and Dr. Paul, but the simple idea of having a dialogue with these women, along with black student leaders is not at all effective on a campus that uses diversity as make-up. What about the rest of the students? The honest, yet brutal thing to do is to remove the make-up in order to see the real face of the university. It is not as diverse as it is portrayed to be. How does having a small discussion with a few students change race-relations and diversity on a southern campus? If Multicultural Studies was a requirement, then it prevents whites from saying, “Here we go with this race s***!” It prevents the international students from feeling like they have stepped into America’s Twilight Zone. It prevents women from feeling like they have to let a man take charge of everything. It prevents the disabled and homosexuals from feeling like something is wrong with them. It prevents other minorities from being overly aggressive, because of the feeling of being misunderstood, generalized, and forced to assimilate into a society where people of their background are rarely appreciated and acknowledged in those heavy books that they have to carry from one end of the campus to the other.
As a student at USM and a Mississippi native, I never understood why the talk of race, religion, and politics were forbidden. Are these the issues that are turning us into American rejects or degree holders who still can’t compete with the rest of the country? We are so afraid to talk about these issues. How are students in the south ever going to become nationally known scholars, lawyers, preachers, scientists, and politicians if we even fear discussing such issues in an educational setting? Is this not turning everyone in Mississippi (regardless of race) into slaves? Racism is so deeply woven into my dear home-state that we even enslave ourselves without even knowing it.
Even if these 6 white women did not know the history behind Black-face, could one ask if the black student leaders knew the history behind it as well? This story made national news, but no one, not even the Hattiesburg American or Student Printz took that golden opportunity to explain the history of Black-face to its audience and why it may have upset some African Americans. We missed it! The administration missed it again! Is it enough to sit through a boring lecture in the LAB, Stout Hall, or Joseph-Green and attempt to retain crap that you’re going to forget after the test anyway? I have no doubt that the information a student could receive in Multicultural Studies course would be not only unforgettable, butt will allow them to be able to have a more positive experience in this world. When you graduate and start that new job, everybody is not going to look, act, think, and believe the way you do. You have to be prepared to not only be skilled in your craft, but also skilled in being able to work with and understand people who are not like you.
It is important that this new generation of young students would challenge the norms of Mississippi. This is not us! This old system does not work! Tuition costs too much to sit in class for hours and get absolutely nothing out of it. We have to challenge our educators, politicians, and clergymen. We can’t afford to continue to be the laughing stock of the nation and only get news coverage when there is a race issue. Young leaders need to stand up and be heard! USM needs to make Multicultural Studies a requirement to prevent the social-retardation that has plagued our state for far too long. I have included a link that will explain Black-face, Minstrel shows, and the negative stereotypes of African Americans that came along with it since no one else would.
1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C45g3YP7JOk
2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfiNT6AKG0s
3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UacUR7bPnMM&feature=related
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