I am writing to express my disappointment with the Student Activities Commission placing the student organization, Athens Video Works, on probation because its skit show, Fridays Live, included a skit featuring a member in blackface last fall.
As a voting member on the general body of SAC, I personally voted against the probation measure. Here is my justification for this vote. SAC's main purpose on campus is to fund student programming on campus. SAC, however, is not allowed to tell student organizations how to program. SAC has a strict set of rules of what is fundable and non-fundable. Fridays Live was one of the proposed activities that Athens Video Works submitted, and the SAC general body found no problems with their proposal. However, after it surfaced that Fridays Live had previously included a sketch featuring a member in blackface, the idea of placing Athens Video Works on probation was introduced.
By telling Athens Video Works that it is no longer allowed to introduce skits that might be offensive to certain people, it certainly seems like SAC is telling Athens Video Works how to program their skit show. I believe that Athens Video Works had the best intentions not to be racist in their skit, but the members instead attempted to produce an act of comedy. I believe that this act of probation could lead to future repression on student programming. If additional students or community members find another skit offensive, should SAC place Athens Video Works on probation again? Where do we set the limit?
I would like to discuss my decision and to speak openly to any concerned students or community members. I hold office hours in the Student Senate office (Baker Center 305) every Monday and Wednesday noon to 1:00 p.m. If you are unable to reach me during my office hours, you can contact me by e-mail at cm487906@gmail.com
Christopher Mills is a junior studying political science and at-large SAC Senator of Student Senate.
4 Opinion
