By Tara Pope copy desk chief "I'm going to KFC." "Well, I play football with a black guy." "I have relatives in Jasper." These statements were made by white TCU students when asked how they were going to celebrate Black History Month. Michael Katovich, associate professor of sociology and criminal justice, said it is hard to say whether those comments reflect any deep-seated hostility toward blacks or whether they reflect ignorance and insensitivity. "Our pop culture still has racist and sexist strands," Katovich said. "Although we don't publicly acknowledge ourselves as racists and sexists, we still have that kind of humor that makes for racism and sexism. I still think it represents a minority of students on campus. I think most students are not overtly racist." Stephanie Corso, a freshman business major, said the student comments on celebrating Black History Month were surprising to her. "We are supposed to be learning to be diverse," she said. The purpose of Black History Month is to teach people about the accomplishments of black Americans. On Feb. 19, 1926, Carter G. Woodson established "Negro History Week", which later became Black History Month. Woodson was a high school teacher who saw black history was not being taught. February was picked because it contains the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Several students said, to them, Black History Month means hearing Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches and learning about important historical figures. But while the original intent of Black History Month was to educate, Black History Month now seems to raise issues related to racial equality. Jennifer Zwahr-Castro, a lecturer in the psychology department, said while Black History Month is intended to be a time of learning about black accomplishments, one problem is that Black History Month is perceived to be a celebration not for all people but for the black community. "The black community probably knows more about black history, and the people that need to be educated miss it," she said. Mark Dowling, a junior advertising/public relations major, said he thought Black History Month was about black people celebrating their heritage. Brad Wolfe, a sophomore business major, said he agrees with Black History Month in that it tries to raise awareness. "But I do disagree with Black History Month in that it keeps racial differences," Wolfe said. Wolfe said everyone is equal, but increased attention increases racial tension. Adam Schoeneman, a junior advertising/public relations major, said there should not be any special treatment, such as Black History Month. "There should be equality, not supremacy," Schoeneman said. "There should be equal treatment for all." Other students said Black History Month is similar to the Miss Black America pageant and Black Entertainment Television in that there could not be a White History Month, a Miss White America pageant or White Entertainment Television because people would think it's racist. Katovich said these comparisons indicate that some students are having difficulty accepting a minority perspective. "Some people need to understand that special programs (like Black History Month or Black Entertainment Television) are done by people who seek representation or more fair representation in media," Katovich said. "These perspectives come about as corrections of a sort. "Black History Month is an institutionalized version of this correction. It is a time for blacks to represent themselves other than as they have been stereotyped historically." Chris Ohan, lecturer of history, said some students see Black History Month or Women's History Month like affirmative action - a group of people demanding special privileges when all people are supposed to be equal. "The problem is that complaint has to be a legitimate claim because in the (United States), we say we value equality, and having celebratory months like this seems to fly in the face of equality," he said. "But how can we create an egalitarian society if we don't understand the historical process of how these groups have struggled for recognition of their equality? "I don't think any intelligent person can say that we are where we need to be in terms of equality." But while Black History Month does focus on remembering, some students said they resent what they view as an overemphasis on the past. Adam Eidell, a junior marketing major, said talk of the past can make some people uncomfortable. "Some people are fed up with the fact that black people bring up oppression like 'you owe us,'" he said. Freshman radio-TV-film major Ric Bailey said, "People feel like they have to feel bad, just because of the past." But Zwahr-Castro said talk of feeling guilty because of the past may be because of group membership. If you are in an honor society, you might have certain privileges because you have earned your place, but with race, you have membership in a group you didn't earn, Zwahr-Castro said. Ohan said students may feel guilty for the past, but shouldn't. "In studying the Civil War and Reconstruction, students can't help but feel whites are bad and blacks are not bad," he said. "It shouldn't make them feel guilty unless they are members of the (Ku Klux Klan) now or something." Katovich said students may not understand the message of Black History Month. "Students are responding without a historical context," he said. "They're feeling intimidated, like they have to feel guilty. When people say, 'I didn't enslave anyone,' they think they are being told to dwell on the past, but that is not what the message is."
Tara Pope
By Rusty Simmons staff reporter Twelve current and former employees of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store in Atlanta, Ga., charged the restaurant chain with discrimination, and the plaintiffs have now added a companion case alleging violations of the wage and hours laws. Five blacks claim they were discriminated against at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Daytona Beach, Fla., and they are now pursuing a lawsuit against the entire 21-hotel chain. But acts of racism and discrimination do not just happen in other parts of the country. Earlier this month, several white TCU students celebrated their fourth annual Martin Luther King Jr. birthday party. The group dressed in baggy jeans, wore T-shirts with the words "talk to the hand" on them and were adorned in shower caps with condoms tucked underneath. They proceeded to watch "Menace II Society" and ate fried chicken and watermelon. Members of this group said they do not understand why people observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day but not Presidents Day or other days set aside to celebrate historic white people. The American Civil Liberties Union has been fighting to stop racist instances when they turn into violence but does not seek legislation against bigoted beliefs, said Christopher Anders, ACLU legislative counsel. "The ACLU has a long record of support for strong protection of both freedom of speech and civil rights," Anders said. "Rather than diminishing individual rights, it is our belief that vigilant protection of free speech has historically opened the doors to effective advocacy for expanded civil rights protection." Mark Gilderhus, professor of history, said racist actions and beliefs often feed out of a lack of confidence. "People do these racist acts out of insecurity, because of the advances (blacks) have made," he said. "This should be a time to celebrate the advances." More than 30 years ago, on the last day of his life, King asked for the "freedom, quality and fundamental fairness" promised by the Constitution, but John White, spokesman for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said blacks are still searching for it. Gilderhus said while blacks have made some advances, the United States is far from egalitarian. "Now blacks can vote, and it is illegal to discriminate in a public facility," he said. "But to think there is not racism is to be disillusioned." Gilderhus, who is a member of the Organization of American Historians, knows about the current racism in America firsthand. The group was supposed to meet at the Adam's Mark Hotel in St. Louis at the end of February, but the meeting site was changed because of the allegations of racism within the hotel, he said. "We have come a long way among professional historians," Gilderhus said. "Black history is now seen as completely legitimate, and we are making a serious attempt to understand black history from a black perspective. "Slavery used to just be discussed from a white perspective." White said many things in society are still based solely on a white perspective. The four major television networks are a good example of the white perspective being the only perspective in society, he said. Although 13 percent of the population is black, of the 26 new shows that started in the fall, no minorities played a leading or starring role. Gilderhus said the United States has to continue to reach for equality. "I don't think we'll ever be completely equal," he said. "We have to continue to strive to give equal opportunities to as many people as possible. "If we forfeit these goals, we demean society." Yet California and Texas have adopted policies to ban or limit affirmative action. Since these restrictions have been adopted, the admission of blacks into next fall's freshman class at the University of California-Berkeley has plunged by more than half, The Washington Post reported. Also, the admission of minorities into California's three law schools has plummeted 71.6 percent from 1996 to 1997, according the Office of the President at the University of California. These are the kind of decisions and actions Chris Rock, a black comedian who often talks about race in his act, jokes about in his stand-up comedy routines. Gilderhus said whites have historically been the holders of the power and the wealth, so they cannot use the same humor. "Historically, deprived people have employed a policy of making fun of the rich and powerful, and this is accepted," he said. "But the rich and powerful are considered derogatory and self-serving if they make fun of those who have been deprived."
Rusty Simmons
By Laura Head opinion editor The AddRan dean search committee is expected to give its recommendation Monday for the first dean of the new AddRan College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The finalists are Alan Shepard, chairman of the English department and an associate professor of English, and Mary Volcansek, director of graduate programs in political science and a professor in the political science department at Florida International University in Miami. Jean Giles-Sims, a professor of sociology and a member of the dean search committee, said the recommendation will describe the strengths and weaknesses of the acceptable candidate or candidates before being submitted to Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs William Koehler. The committee may recommend one or both of the candidates to Koehler. Chancellor Michael Ferrari will then decide whom to appoint as the new dean. Giles-Sims said Shepard met with students on Monday to allow them the chance to give input on the decision. Volcansek met with students Thursday. "We want anyone who is going to be a dean to be very good in terms of being responsive to students' needs," Giles-Sims said. "We think that's very important." Shepard came to TCU in 1990 as an assistant professor of English after earning his doctorate degree from the University of Virginia. He became the director of undergraduate studies in English in 1996 and chairman of the English department in 1998. Volcansek has been at FIU since 1973, when she earned her doctorate from Texas Tech University. She served as chairwoman of the FIU political science department from 1993 to 1995. She was also the associate dean of FIU's College of Arts and Sciences intermittently between 1976 and 1980. Volcansek said one of her goals includes clarifying requirements for the study-abroad programs to ensure students get the credits they earn while they study in other countries. "Part of the onus comes on the student to know beforehand," Volcansek said. "But the other part falls on the dean to clarify it." Shepard said his main goal is to have the faculty from all of the departments in the new school work as a team. "The fear on the part of the faculty is that as AddRan splits, (the new school) will become a hodgepodge of individual departments," he said. "I see TCU as a place with a lot of potential. I think that potential needs to be led very skillfully over the next five to 10 years." Volcansek said diversifying TCU's campus is vital to all aspects of a college education. "In classrooms, a lot of what you learn is not (from) who's in the front, it's (from) who's sitting beside you," she said. "I think (TCU students) are getting cheated on that." Shepard said he also wants to focus on fund raising and maintaining his accessibility to students. "It's fundamental that the dean stays in touch with what's going on in the classroom," he said. "We have to find a way to preserve access and yet not have it just so you're sitting there every day like an emergency room waiting for the next car accident." Volcansek said she wants to see the university recruit more students from the TCU area to better represent Fort Worth as a city with many minorities. "I'm sure there are some very qualified minority students living in the shadows who are not being recruited," she said. "Surely, if there's scholarship money available for everything else, there's enough to find a few scholarships for minority students." Giles-Sims said about 50 people applied for the dean position, which will begin during the summer. The dean search committee is a group of elected and appointed faculty, staff and students. Giles-Sims said a consultant met with them in November to determine what traits the new dean should possess to serve the needs of the university.
Laura Head
by Kasey Feldman staff reporter Students can see a salsa performance on Monday, attend a multi-cultural chapel service and a Japanese movie Wednesday, eat German food Thursday and see models in traditional African clothes Saturday. These and other events are part of International Student Association's International Week program. Carolina Racines, ISA communications chairwoman and a junior marketing major, said the purpose of International Week is to expose TCU students to the different cultures represented by international students at TCU. Tomomi Nakata, ISA campus interaction chairwoman and a senior psychology major, said the week's events cost about $6,000, with most of the money coming from ISA funds and international student services. The rest will come from Programming Council and sponsors. Chancellor Michael Ferrari will speak at the opening ceremony on Monday. The ceremony will consist of a salsa performance and a traditional Japanese opening ceremony, which involves the opening of a large golden ball filled with confetti and ribbons. For Tuesday, ISA has planned a cultural exhibit, including a kite festival where students can make and fly kites decorated with cultural images. There will also be a silent auction. LeeAnn Mutchler, ISA vice president and a sophomore Spanish and international communications major, said students can find good deals at the auction. "A lot of the time the items go for really cheap because there's nobody that shows up to bid on them, and they are beautiful artifacts ," Mutchler said. "They are hand-crafted items from foreign countries, and you can't buy that quality here." Wednesday is "scream night," an event modeled after a popular Japanese television show. Nakata said participants will stand on the roof of the Student Center and yell. Nakata said anyone can participate as long as they do not say anything profane. Participants must sign up by 2 p.m. Friday at the ISA table in the Student Center because there will be a mandatory safety orientation before students can go on the roof. Mutchler said Thursday's event, Taste of the World, has been the most popular International Week event in the past. "It's free food and it's really good," she said. "There's baklava and tamales and just really tasty food." Friday there is a karaoke competition. Nakata said this event is new this year. Last year there was instrumental music, but no singing, she said. The last event is a banquet with a talent and fashion show. Students will be modeling traditional clothes from around the world, Nakata said. Students for Asian-Indian Cultural Awareness is having a similar banquet and fashion show Saturday, one week before the International Week banquet. Mutchler said she does not expect the SAICA banquet to hurt attendance at International Week events. "The more people expose themselves to something outside the realm of what they know, it becomes a learning experience, and they don't want to stop learning," she said. "International culture is a really fascinating subject because it's so overwhelming. You can't just stop at Indian culture. You'll want to go on to Japanese culture and Latin culture." Kasey Feldman
By Omar Villafranca staff reporter The TCU theater, dance and art departments are working together to host a "brown bag" performance benefiting the Women's Shelter, a place of refuge for women in abusive relationships. The benefit will take place at noon Monday in the Ballet and Modern Dance Building, Studio B. The event will feature several two to six minute dances choreographed and performed by students, an art exhibit by TCU artists and a play by the TCU Assault Prevention Theatre. Those attending are encouraged to bring their own brown bag lunch to the event. The purpose of the Assault Prevention Theatre is to educate people about abusive relationships and how to recognize them. Actors in the play will stay in character after the play to answer questions posed by the audience.
"We want to present the arts on campus to the rest of the community and the rest of TCU," Connelly said. "I hope it becomes an event that will last after I graduate." Connelly, who is also the president of Chi Tau Epsilon, the dance honor society, said students in some of the departments did not feel a bond within the College of Fine Arts. "The students in several of the departments feel that their isn't enough of a community," Connelly said. "We feel the need to be more unified." Meredith Mangum, a senior theater major, said she is helping put the event together and hopes the performance helps build a good repertoire between the departments. "Our overall goal is an attempt at a collaboration within the College of Fine Arts," Mangum said. Admission for the event is free, but the departments are asking for cash donations, women's and children's clothes, women's toiletries or non-perishable foods to give to the Women's Shelter.
Omar Villafranca
By Kasey Feldman staff reporter From leprosy missions and orphanages to beautiful traditional clothing and spicy foods, "Experience India" will give students a taste of Indian culture, said religion professor Andrew Fort, who will speak at the event. Experience India, a banquet sponsored by Students for Asian-Indian Cultural Awareness, will be from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Student Center Ballroom to promote awareness of Indian culture and raise money for Missionaries of Charity, a Catholic order founded by Mother Theresa to serve the poor. Trupti Desai, president of SAICA and a junior biology major, said the luncheon will be catered by Maharaja Indian Restaurant and will feature Indian dance performances, speakers and a fashion show with students modeling traditional Indian clothing. Desai said $6.50 from each $10 ticket will go to the Missionaries of Charity. SAICA has raised nearly $45,000 for the charity in the past seven years, she said. In 1997, Fort delivered a check from SAICA to the Missionaries of Charity on his trip to Calcutta, India. He will talk about that trip at the luncheon. Fort said the Missionaries of Charity is most famous for assisting the dying. "It's like a hospice allowing people to feel comfortable at the end of their lives and feel loved by God," he said. Tahira Hussain, a freshman premajor and member of SAICA, said the leprosy missions are one of the most important works of the Missionaries of Charity. "In India, health care and nutrition are not as good as they are here," Hussain said. "It's a developing country so there is more poverty. People still have diseases like leprosy and rickets. With leprosy, there is a lot of social stigma, so people will not get help. They need money for treatment and a place they can go without being ostracized." Hussain said the banquet will mainly focus on lighter aspects of Indian culture, such as exotic foods and beautiful clothing. Traditional Indian clothing is typically made of silk or cotton material in bright, deep colors, and some have heavy embroidery in gold or silver thread, she said. Desai said local Indian dance schools, groups from the University of Texas at Arlington and students from the International Student Association will also be included in the performances and fashion show.
Kasey Feldman |
Kelly Connelly, a senior ballet and modern
dance major, said the brown bag events sponsored every semester by the
dance department. She said she hopes the first-time event featuring dance,
art and theater will expose some of the other talents on campus.| The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |