Can we just assume this was a white dude? I can't imagine who else would complain about 3 pictures of black dudes being 'unwelcoming"....except maybe an 85 yr old white woman who grew up in the Jim Crow south.Dear Students and Colleagues,
There is a situation of concern to me which affects us all. There are three giant banners depicting African-American males in the law school atrium. This is not welcoming to other minorities or whites. The images do not offer an accurate depiction of the school.
These banners are not a fair representation of the school. We should support diversity, not just African-American males.
The saying at the top of each sign says "Here we protect equality; Here we advocate for justice; Here we educate leaders; Here we create lifelong connections." Another photo could be added which says "Here we ignore all cultures except for a few."
I wonder what the recently filmed video shot in the atrium will say about our school?
The portraits and paintings in the law school sing the same song. It is a shame that the only place many groups see representation at the law school is with their reflection in the bathroom mirrors.
Is it perception, or reality that since the Office of Professional Development (OPD) has been run for the last few years by African American females that people of similar ethnicity are afforded greater assistance and the best opportunities to succeed? It is a pervasive opinion that the OPD offers more assistance to members of certain groups. Is this how our institution is to be regarded?
In Bloomington the OPD is highly regarded as a very helpful partner to all students, it would be nice if IU Indianapolis could somehow gain a similar reputation.
These concerns are shared by many, although few including this author are bold enough to raise a voice for fear of repercussion that may prevent someone from walking across the stage. Instead this anonymous email is submitted not to elicit a verbal response nor for lip service but rather by actions of the IU Law School in Indianapolis. As my peers and I proceed in our legal careers it would be great for IU Indianapolis to become better known and better recognized as a diverse and fair law school.
This appeal goes to all administrators, teachers, and students, please consider these words.
Thanks.
The Invisible Man
This kid is a douche bag, of the highest order. The Office of Professional Development treats black kids better?.........Um, how about the whole world treats your ass better for being lilly white? Oh, yes, you must've forgotten about white privilege. And has it ever crossed 'The Invisible Man's' mind that perhaps the black ladies in the office of professional development don't treat black kids better, that they just don't like him? The assholeness of this person is pretty striking and I only got to read this email. I bet in real life I would hate him too. But then he would complain about women getting treated better than men........
If he needs to see a white man lawyer, I suggest he look for some in congress, in the yellow pages, on TV, on billboards.....shit, most of his classes are probably filled with white dudes on their way to becoming lawyers.
And why did this have to come from Indiana? Man, it seems like every day I have another reason to feel like an asshole for living in this state.
Is it possible the author is Indian, Hispanic, Native American, Arab, or of some other ethnic group and does just feel left out?
ReplyDeleteI don't think his complaint is hypocritical, personally. What he seems to be illustrating is a situation where the meaning of ethnic diversity is essentially "Look, Black people", which is just as racist as omitting black people from the picture in the first place. It suggests that there is no care being taken in representing diversity itself, rather than fulfilling some local mandate to represent "ethnics". It's a problem that's pervasive in all forms of marketing, and I think it's, honestly, an absolutely fair complaint.
ReplyDeleteAside from the big three (African American, Mexican American, and East Asian American), there simply isn't an equal enough spread of ethnic representation in the imagery propagated by certain institutions.
I, personally, chalk it up to the complexity of white guilt (you don't do enough, black people hate you; you do too much, and they still hate you), but it's still a problem.
The part of the complaint that was pretty low, though, was the whole "Ever since this shit been run by some black bitches, shit been FUCKED up!". That was absolutely unneeded, and a dash too racist.