The Vilification of Student Activists at Yale

Th Atlantic ^ | 11/10/2015 | Gillian B. White

[ScottWalkerForPresident2016]

The first time I saw a friend wearing blackface I was a freshman in college. I was stunned. I was hurt. I was enraged. But more than anything, I was confused. He thought it was funny, albeit controversial. But to me it wasn’t a joke; it was pointed mockery. I imagined him laughing and joking as his friends painted his skin. I couldn’t understand why he would so callously and easily disrespect me and those like me, for fun.

Now I have come to expect such acts, and the conversations that surround them, as routine displays of disrespect and cultural cluelessness.

The events at Yale over the past weeks have provoked a great deal of conversation, but little effort to understand or acknowledge the cultural and institutional biases at play. In their responses, many have made the same mistake that my friend did, assuming that individual actions can be divorced from their broader context, or from the larger and more troubling legacy of racial discrimination in America. But they can’t.

When Yale’s Intercultural Affairs Committee sent around an email suggesting that students, “Take the time to consider their costumes and the impact it may have,” it was asking students to be thoughtful about the choices they made, to think before acting, and to ask themselves whether what they saw as a fun or funny joke might make others feel hurt, offended, or even threatened. For students who already feel excluded at Yale, as at similar schools, the email from the Intercultural Affairs Committee likely felt like a small, but likely appreciated acknowledgement that everyone should feel safe and included on campus.

[ScottWalkerForPresident2016]

[Mercat]

These same people would be cheering like crazy at a gay pride parade for perverts in obscene nun and priest costumes.

[Mike Darancette]

Ted Danson was his friend?

[Covenantor]

Whiffenpoofters

[dsrtsage]

Obviously all STEM majors

[Jack Hammer]

Gillian’s very, very, very, very, very sensitive, isn’t she.

[Don Corleone]

Buckley warned us.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“Obviously all STEM majors”

Obviously, What about the ones on the bottom?

[Dalberg-Acton]

“The first time I saw a friend wearing blackface I was a freshman in college. I was stunned. I was hurt. I was enraged. But more than anything, I was confused. “

No. A puss is what you wuz.

[windsorknot]

“God and Man at Yale” could disturb the sensibilities of this one.

[DiogenesLamp]

The first time I saw a friend wearing blackface I was a freshman in college. I was stunned. I was hurt. I was enraged. But more than anything, I was confused. He thought it was funny, albeit controversial. But to me it wasn’t a joke; it was pointed mockery. I imagined him laughing and joking as his friends painted his skin. I couldn’t understand why he would so callously and easily disrespect me and those like me, for fun.

I must admit, this is one of those things I don't get. It doesn't bother me if Black people dress up as white. I thought "White Chicks" was funny as H3ll.

I was actually astonished at how much they actually looked like white chicks. That makeup was freakin amazing.

[Kirkwood]

He better not show up for the Zulu parade on Mardi Gras or his head will explode.

[fella]

What has become of the “Liberal” viewpoint on freedom of speech that goes something like this;

I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Or how about the childhood ditty;

Sticks and stones may break my bones,
But words will never hurt me.

It looks like the progressives(?) have gone straight to sticks and stone as their main argument.

[Pollster1]

The first time I saw a friend wearing blackface I was a freshman in college. I was stunned.

What? I have never in my life seen anyone wearing blackface other than in movies (Silver Streak and The Jazz Singer are the only two of those I saw), and I have been to a lot of college "coffee house" shows, local plays, and other entertainments where I would have expected to see it if it was happening. I suspect this entire article is (like most social justice warrior claims) a lie.

[Mears]

The affirmative action crowd just fill me with pride.

America’s finest. /s

.

[Tax-chick]

I’ve never seen anyone wearing “blackface,” and I went to college and everything.

[Talisker]

For students who already feel excluded at Yale, as at similar schools, the email from the Intercultural Affairs Committee likely felt like a small, but likely appreciated acknowledgement that everyone should feel safe and included on campus.

[spintreebob]

People should be educated that certain behavior is un-Christian, un-American, un-civilized, personally embarassing, etc.

But people should also have the freedom to do these reprehensible things.

Of course, private individuals/groups (including private group called Yale) also have the freedom of association to not associate with stupid.

The government should stay out of it. That is true of those who cover their face with bandanas and those who cover their face with a white sheet. Both groups are free to be evil.

[MoochPooch]

That bottom photo says it all. In no time Yale is going to turn into an inner-city high school.

[tumblindice]

Every time a bell rings, an Emo gets a bottle of black nail polish.