So the play has gone forward, with the title changed and additions to the program made to “honor diversity.” Having seen the play and the relatively small changes that seem to have been made, I see it as a positive step. The play itself wasn’t necessarily racist, but the attitudes that lead to the debates are, and they, along with the censorship concerns, need to be discussed in the open.
More has to be done to give Lakota’s administrators a chance to be partners rather than opponents as everyone works to create an atmosphere that’s truly diverse and multicultural. It’s unfair to everyone that efforts in that direction are hindered by the way they are being demonized and I can understand the discomfort of teachers and principles.
But is their discomfort any less than that of black, Asian, Hispanic, and Indian students that never see authority figures in their school that look like them? Is the faculty’s discomfort less than those who have cultural and ethnic histories that are frequently seen as problems to be assimilated rather than blessings to contribute?
Are they more uncomfortable than the black student that goes through weeks of awkward stares and anxious discussions while the class reads Huck Finn out loud? Or the broke student that bites her tongue while teachers go on 15 minute tirades about how the upper-middle class white kids – the ones who drive new convertibles their parents bought for them – deserve all the scholarships? Or the Hispanic student who has to explain to his friends that speaking Spanish with his family doesn’t mean they're "illegals" hiding from INS? Or the Asian student who faces unfairly high expectations and whose achievements are unappreciated because she's “supposed” to excel academically? Or the black student who’s repeatedly petted like a dog by classmates he hardly knows because they think the texture of his hair is so novel?
Wow. Now that I think about it, I feel so sorry for the poor, unfortunate white teachers and principles that are forced to think about how a minority student might feel. No one else ever thinks about race. Lakota was a wonderful land of harmony until those dirty “PC police” wrecked it.
Or so the myth goes.
Frankly, I’m pretty tired of people acting like being called a racist is worse than experiencing the social and economic reality of racism itself. Grow up.
I have five suggestions:
1. In the future, Lakota’s multicultural clubs could to be included when students, parents, teachers, or community members feel the needs of minorities aren’t being met. It may be a good way to make sure diverse student voices are heard. They can do more than throw parties and talk about people's hurt feelings. Maybe the multicultural club could be proactive in advising Lakota decisions on a long term basis so things can be done in a way that better serves all students.
2. The NAACP should continue to be engaged but make their involvement more cooperative and solution oriented.
3. The “discussions” that take place must lead to concrete decisions about how the administration and/or students behave.
Binding decisions rarely get made at “dialogues.” I remember having one or two racial “dialogues” while I went to Lakota West. A few people got some things off their chests, and that was good, but little positive change in policy or behavior took place. “Dialogues” about diversity have been happening for years. But there is still a noticeable lack of minorities among the teachers and other faculty and I’ve heard of no coherent plan to change that. This has to move from “community forums” to school board meetings.
There should be less talk about “listening” to “concerns.” Instead of navel contemplation on a lack of diversity in the faculty, for instance, there has to be plans on how to proactively change that situation. That may not mean quotas, but maybe it should mean some conscientious recruiting. Only tangible commitments and dollar amounts can give the “discussions” the teeth they need.
4. At some point the song “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” the original version recorded by the War in the mid ‘70s, should be played over a loud speaker at a Lakota event. I doubt it would help anything. I just really like that song.
The play didn’t merit all of the attention it got. But maybe it means something that a black Lakota graduate (who probably isn’t completely insane) had so much to say about it.
The bottom line is that people need to be considerate of others rather than being so obsessed with “winning.” Follow the golden rule and love your different-looking neighbors as yourself. They might see things from another perspective, but they probably aren’t out to get you.
~Geoffrey Dobbins
Vice President, UCABJ
Lakota West, Class of 2002
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