A few weeks ago I attended a Black History Month event entitled, “Black Man’s Guide to Survival at SUNY Cortland” held by the student group Men of Value and Excellence (M.O.V.E.) and it was an eye-opening presentation.
These young men made very clear the experience of being a minority on a predominantly all-white campus. One of the most important words of wisdom they offered was that culture shock goes both ways. While a group of white students may not be familiar with being around a person of color, a person of color may not feel comfortable being the only minority. Being a minority in any situation can lead to feelings of unease and the majority’s hesitancy to interact or tendency to isolate only widen unnecessary chasms between fellow human beings.
The members of M.O.V.E. noted that just as a Caucasian person is not treated as a spokesperson for their race, ethnicity or sex, neither should an African American. If one has to ask if racism still exists, it obviously does. Ignorance is one thing, blatant discrimination is another. One particularly charismatic member of M.O.V.E., known for being a socialite and all-around beloved guy, was deeply hurt and even considered leaving Cortland upon being accused of stealing a young woman’s purse at a party – especially after recognizing afterward that he was the only person of color, and the only one accused.
It was quite amusing when a middle-aged, male, Caucasian professor stood up and asked “how to attract more diverse students to his class”. A member of M.O.V.E. retorted, “You can’t just sit in your office and hope more diverse members register. You have to get out and spread the message that you welcome us into your class; attend our group meetings, and let it be known. You can’t just sit quietly and expect for things to change, you have to make them happen – like we are out here trying to change people’s minds about things, you have to do the same.” I found that to be a particularly forthright, bluntly honest response – especially coming from a student speaking to a professor. It was this candor that I so admired in the members of M.O.V.E. – they were opening up a dialogue that too often is skirted.
After the presentation I spoke with Keith Smith, Director of the Educational Opportunity Program at SUNY Cortland. Mr. Smith said something that really resonated with me – racism was never mandated by law in New York State, Jim Crow laws never applied here; racism is custom here, not law. Racism lies in the hearts and minds of many Upstate New Yorkers, making it all the more difficult to extinguish.
Perhaps this is why the Ithaca City School District is coming under such heat for having repeatedly ignored the pleas of Amelia Kearney when her child suffered severe racial harassment, including being spit on, punched and told by a fellow student that he had a “gun with her name on it” on the school bus. The consistent non-response of the district is now being investigated by the Tompkins County Human Rights Commission, who has found probable cause of discrimination by the Ithaca School District. Amelia Kearney was forced to take her case all the way to the Human Rights level because the District showed no interest in ensuring the safety and well-being of her child. The Ithaca City School District has responded in turn by hiring a lawyer to basically ensure that no student is covered under Human Rights Law. That has been their response. Why is this so?
Mr. Smith explained to me how he has lived in the South, and Upstate New York is by far the most racist place he’s even seen. Housing patterns and the racial make-up of school districts look as though we do have Jim Crow laws in place – except we don’t, we never did. What’s worse, enacting racism into law or carrying it out voluntarily? Neither is an ideal situation, but to systematically desire and ensure strict divisions between races illuminates an issue of morals, values, and core beliefs.
It’s hard to change anyone’s mind about anything, let alone to change their minds about racism. Why not speak up about social realities though, and question our actions rather than remain silent and separate? Inaction is enabling. Inaction is accepting, tolerating, and supporting. Just as the young man of M.O.V.E. said, just as Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
I do not want to live in a region that holds such strong personal allegiances to a school of thought that is outdated, intolerant, and bigoted. If we can open up the lines of communication and express our feelings, and share our experiences perhaps we can combat racism one misconception at a time.