Students and professors discuss implications of racism
Posted by The Skyliner on February 25th, 2009Leasy Sandal
Staff Writer
Every February we celebrate Black History Month.
Dr. Paul Thompson, Jr., assistant professor of history and coordinator of social studies education program, addressed the students in a chapel service on Jan. 19. He remembered and reflected upon the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and acknowledged Obama’s achievement in becoming the first African American president. This month, he became the leading advocate in a stance against racism on campus.
Dr. Steve Crouse, vice-president for campus ministries, observed students’ reactions to the chapel service led by Thompson and determined that a meeting held on the roots of racism would be beneficial. On Feb. 16, Thompson and three other University professors led nearly 80 students and faculty members in an open discussion on racism.
The meeting began with a short film entitled Beneath the Skin. The film took a deep look into Baptists and racism. Most of the interviewees were of black, white and Hispanic backgrounds. The film allowed students to grasp a better understanding of the issues faced daily by minority groups in America.
The film closed with five ways forward to a culture without racism. Honesty, friendship, sharing, courage and reconciliation were the five steps one could take to better their own community.
After the 35-minute film, Thompson began the panel discussion.
“If we went out into the streets and asked people to define racism, it would be so incredibly diverse,” Thompson said. “I do not agree with a lot of this film, but the key issues are exact.”
Thompson briefly discussed what he personally gleaned from the film and what he would have changed. Overall, he felt the film captured the prejudice America embraces.
Dr. Victor Prieto, assistant professor in linguistics and Spanish, presented the issues of racism from a linguistics point of view.
“A subtle, but probably equally damaging type of racism is encoded in language,” Prieto said. “Use of subtle expressions such as, ‘He’s Hispanic but very smart.’ Of course, this little conjunction ‘but’ here has a lot of meaning and racism. I hope you can see that.”
Prieto continued to demonstrate that different races have the right to speak in different ways. This does not make one language more superior or inferior to another.
“Don’t link inferiority to different skin colors. In the end, we’re all the same for God and beneath the skin,” Prieto said in his closing statement.
Dr. Dallas, title, reviewed the theological arguments supported by the film. In the days of slavery, Christians did not seem to understand how it affected their faith. When we deny the presence of God in another, we remove their humanity.
Lastly, Dr. Wanda Tillman, assistant professor of business, represented the business aspect of racism. She revealed the economic exploitation America uses to abuse minority groups.
Many students made statements about their personal experiences with racism on campus. A few students discussed the inauguration.
Other students shared experiences with racism that occurred off of the University’s campus.
“Racism is an issue everywhere,” Crouse said. “I don’t perceive it to be bigger on campus than anywhere else.”
The goals of the meeting were well met. Many students stayed afterwards to talk to the professors of the panel and share personal experiences and visions for the school’s future.
“I believe much can be learned through listening to others and talking. I was hoping to begin breaking down the walls that prevent people at North Greenville from talking about racial and cultural differences,” Thompson said.
Thompson is looking forward to new ideas from students and faculty for more open discussions. This meeting provided every attendee with a better understanding of the issues of racism on campus and a goal in mind of how to create a unified student body.