Ethnic Studies are strong and already here to stay

by Meredith Ogilvie

Tuesday February 7, 2006

As an upperclassman, I would like to address the issues concerning the Ethnic Studies campaign.

First of all, I have to be honest and say that I have not been present at the meetings or forums about the campaign and a good portion of what I know about the campaign can be chalked up to merely hearsay. However, I am a Sarah Lawrence student who has been affected by this campaign and I do not think my point of view is in the minority.

From what I understand about the Ethnic Studies campaign, it is a vehicle for the school to get a specific discipline on campus that is all encompassing of classes in which ethnic studies is the focus.

I think this is a great idea–in theory. I am not entirely convinced we need an Ethnic Studies department that is comprised of only ethnic studies. I have taken ethnic studies every semester since my sophomore year and there are still many classes I intend to take before I graduate.

There are several problems that arise when a request like this is made: Aren’t there already Ethnic Studies classes? Would certain classes be pulled from other disciplines in order to fill the ethnic studies discipline?

There are many fights to fight on campus that deserve at least as much attention as the Ethnic Studies campaign, such as food, health services and the party policy.

The curriculum is the least of the issues at fair SLC.

If a student is in a class and they want to study a subject that falls under the ethnic studies variety and their class is not focused on that subject, they can tailor their conference project to fit the bill. This is a problem that seems to have an easy solution, and as far as I can see, a solution that did not need all of the drama that unfolded in the few weeks before Thanksgiving break.

Another point I want to address is the overuse of the term racist. The dictionary defines racism as "the prejudice or animosity against people who belong to other races" or "[the belief] that some races are inherently superior or inferior." From what I can ascertain, this was a term used to describe almost anyone that did not jump on the ethnic studies bandwagon fast enough. Why is this?

The urban crises has been my concentration for the past two years, I am very visibly black and I do not fully support the campaign, so I guess I am a racist, right? This seemed to be the general consensus in senate and all of the meetings that followed the decision by President Myers to implement an ethnic studies focus group to write a proposal for the new discipline.

There can be an Ethnic Studies discourse without having an argument about racism because the two issues are not one in the same. As someone that considers themselves politically active and well-versed in urban studies, I was appalled this message got lost in all of the talk of racism.

I realize that I do have limited facts on what went on at these meetings, but as a minority on this campus, it is hard enough getting the respect I deserve for my presence here because someone could easily say I am a product of affirmative action.

Believe me, I know racism is a part of my life regardless of how privileged I may be and I do not relish the fact that a discussion about implementing a more permanent Ethnic Studies department had to turn into a discussion about racism where name-calling and finger-pointing became acceptable.

However, I am not a complacent Negro and I resent the implications of not embracing the Ethnic Studies campaign.