Ohio University students from a variety of multicultural organizations converged yesterday with stereotypes on their minds.
The Black Student Union hosted its first spring forum, “Veiled: Dispelling Cultural Myths.” In the forum, panelists from many of OU’s student organizations confronted stereotypes prevalent on campus.
“Stereotypes slant cultural ideas more towards the privileged groups that are within power,” said Alex Maza, Student Senate’s Multicultural Affairs delegate.
“When we have these identities, they tend to reinforce the systems of domination.”
Speakers focused most on how OU can retain its diversity, particularly in the wake of increasing budget cuts.
“A lot more can be done at OU to increase diversity,” said Matthew Wallace, a Student Senate presidential candidate, suggesting more grants or financial aid.
“Something that makes it more easy for any ethnicity to succeed on this campus.”
Chris Williams, the Black Affairs Vice-Commissioner for Student Senate, said he felt OU didn’t work hard enough to attract minorities.
“We (OU) pride ourselves in being diverse … I don’t feel like they pay enough attention to or care about our diversity,” Williams said, noting the reduction or elimination of many multicultural-themed events in recent years.
“Where can an underage African American go to feel like they really belong on this campus?”
A number of attendees noted OU’s lack of diversity, but Jose Garcia, president of the Latino Student Union challenged this, saying the 40 or so in attendance were only a small fraction of those the forum applied to.
“It’s definitely not OK they’re cutting diversity programs,” Garcia said. “But if students don’t care about programs like these, why should they care if it’s costing them money?”
Ed Gaither, Student Senate’s Non-Traditional Students delegate, stressed that OU’s budget must adapt as the economy continues to change.
“In terms of social change, we’re not doing our job if we base (funding) on an eight-year-old model with no adaptability,” Gaither said.
A number of social problems were also discussed, ranging from the role of media in stereotypes to how universal health care affects minorities to interracial relationships.
“I’m pretty disgusted with media in the U.S.,” Wallace said. “Minorities never got a good rap. … there’s not a lot you can do when the media itself is controlled by Caucasians … who are fighting change.”
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