Disclaimer: I may pull the “race card” and call out fellow self-identified men, in particular white men (I just pulled a card) and IFC and Panhellenic Greek members. This article is coming from a place of genuine concern, love and hope for the humanity on our campus to grow.
This does not necessarily represent the views of the larger--yet not so large--community of color at DePauw; and this is for clarification for those who universalize the movements, behaviors and beliefs of a single person of color among the larger community because, in all honesty, we do not all think alike, though our experiences may overlap frequently; that’s just how institutionalized oppression functions.
I recall reading Dr. Beverly Tatum’s, “Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” and snapping my fingers in agreement not only when addressing the development of racial identity in relation to racism, but also when reframing the question at the other end of the binary: “Why are all the white kids sitting together in the cafeteria?”
See, privilege is blind to introspecting on the same questions and demands it places on those who are not warranted privilege in our system of advantage. Privilege manifests a gaze, which is used to describe an asserted power relation through a constructed cultural and ideological “Other.” Similarly, those who gaze on black students who sit together fail to recognize that I, as part of those Black and Brown students sitting together in the Hub, ask questions too, otherwise known as “peeping” things. It’s called the reverse gaze.
Throughout my four years at DePauw, I have been inspired by individuals and student organizations, such as Feminista!, who have fought resiliently to dismantle institutional marginalization. However, I recognize a pattern of majority students (more frequently white, Greek members) who continue to:
1. walk and grin away from Stands in Solidarity on the Academic Quad,
2. create (similar) It’s on Us campaigns but have not or have silently followed through,
3. argue against the Day of Dialogue, yet are prompt to walk out of class if the professor does not arrive 15 minutes after class begins and/or
4. boast of their service trip experience, yet have not participated in an international/cultural-based event within their time at DePauw-- to say the least.
Within this student population, some are aware of the socio-political issues on campus and openly state their grievances and support, yet consistently fail to follow through. It becomes expected that most majority students are not authentically concerned about issues that do not directly affect them. It is not surprising, though. I would like the larger student body to know that I “peep” deceit (my ancestors taught me). I give people who often shed white tears the benefit of the doubt. However, when activists constantly invite students (out of hope and transformative love) to participate, and they tell us they care about equality, when do they intend to visit? I am not asking majority Greek, white students to solely participate in student protests because we all have our own mediums of supporting social justice. I simply continue to wonder why, after years of inviting students to our events, meetings, solidarities, etc., all the white kids continue to sit together in the cafeteria. This is an invitation. This is a call for true solidarity.