EDITORIAL: Race issues are not black and white
The Student Government Association used students dressed as culturally-offensive stereotypes to more powerfully deliver the message of "We're a Culture, Not a Costume" campaign.
After Central Michigan Life posted a photo of an SGA volunteer in blackface to social media, an online debate began about the implications of using such tactics to create a discussion. Almost inevitably, the conversation became about the sins or triumphs of the student government's decision, instead why the campaign is important.
SGA President Chuck Mahone's response to the backlash was that the campaign has spurred intellectual conversations about Halloween attire in a way a poster campaign did not. Of the 145 comments on our photo, very few were talking about whether it was appropriate to wear these costumes on Halloween.
We are aware that there was a thorough amount of discussion and consideration for what is appropriate when SGA was planning their live demonstrations, but it is hard to put something as in your face as a student in a racist costume into context when walking to class. People who walked by saw students of color standing next to white students in racist costumes, without the benefit of deeper explanation that would put the shocking imagery in context.
The campaign carries a good message. It is important to inform the community that it is not OK to appropriate cultures to win a Halloween costume contest.
Ultimately SGA's demonstration was effective in creating conversations, but were they the right kind? These live demonstrations also showed another example of how difficult it can be to speak honestly about race in a politically correct microcosm.
While not overtly hostile, conversations about race are often divisive.
This can silence some points of view, which is especially harmful when talking about issues of race, gender and sexuality. It is important to stay open-minded and ask questions about these topics to become educated. It is more important to be inclusive and not remove other points of view from the table, even if you don't agree with them.
The Central Michigan Life editorial board had a difficult time discussing race, especially because it contains no minority points of view. One of the things we grappled with the most was trying to identify if students wearing racist costumes is an issue at CMU, and our board was split when trying to decide whether to condemn or praise SGA's actions.
The issues our board had reflect the issues CMU hasedi as a whole not knowing how to talk about race. It stems from a bigger issue of our campus not being as diverse as it should be.
From the narrow view of our social media, it appears that most students are aware that this is not acceptable. But if we have learned anything from recent national stories about racism at universities, some prejudices have gone underground.
If you have had any experience with offensive Halloween costumes, be it through witnessing them firsthand, having to explain the issue to a friend or learning yourself at CMU, we would like to hear from you.
Send us an email at news@cm-life.com or get in touch with us through our various social media platforms.
