It was an unfortunate coincidence. After grazing the weekly Graphic I came across a column about Barack Obama and his tax policy. That is where I saw the word.
No it was not the “N” word. It was not even directed at him. I read the word “lynchpin.”
Immediately the first five letters sent a rush of memories of the Civil Rights movement: torture despair injustice stories about how my own gradparents caught a midnight bus to California to evade the Ku Klux Klan in Selma Alabama. Even the news featured a story – only 10 weeks ago – about a black student from our sister school Abilene Christian who walked into his office to find a noose taking his spot on a chair.
The writer did not see the history when he wrote the word. The four sets of eyes did not see it when they edited the column. It was an unfortunate coincidence: the fact that “lynch” was included in a column concerning the first black Democratic Presidential Nominee. Though absolutely not based on malicious intent it lent itself to a bigger issue: dominant society does not know how to play with the race cards.
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Since coined “playing the race card” has denoted minorities using their ethnicity to make gains in their lives. But some would argue that what actually makes them successful in settings such as Corporate America is their ability to negotiate between the norms of their own culture and those of the dominant culture.
It all boils down to one analogy: PC versus Mac. You have the PC the status quo dominant culture of the computing world. It’s what most people are accustomed to and most software and applications were written specifically for this platform. Then you have the Mac which offers a different perspective. Even though a Mac can do the same things that a PC can do some people are uncomfortable with the “newness.” That is why Macs now have the ablility to operate under both their own and Microsoft XP operating systems. This characterizes the interactions between social majority and minority groups not only at Pepperdine but throughout the nation.
Here is the thing about PCs and Macs: As students get ready to join the workforce it is becoming imperative that they are familiar with both platforms in order to trump the competition. As we experience globalization and as more people of color take prominent roles in American society — President being one of them — students and professors agree that learning how to negotiate cultures is an absolute must.
“I can’t assume anyone wants to be there says Dr. Dan Rodriguez, professor of the Monday morning class Christianity and Hispanic Culture.”
“I remind my students Hispanic or not this information is valuable because the future seems to suggest that they are going to have greater interactions with Hispanics-whether you’re a doctor lawyer [in] education or communication.”
Part of Rodriguez’s requirement for the class is to attend worship in urban areas of Los Angeles. “After [they visit] students come to me saying ‘I was the only white person there!'”
Rodriguez already knows this will be the case. When the students report that — despite the fact that they stood out — the church members made them feel welcome and gave them a sense of belonging he knows his assignment filled its purpose. “Good he tells his students, Next time the only black person walks into the room maybe you can make him or her feel how they made you feel.”
Rodriguez’s proposition epitomizes playing with the race cards: using sets of different experiences and perspectives to shape or influence actions. Knowing how it feels to be the “other” can help when it comes to including the “other” when you are in your natural environment — just as being conscious of the atrocities against humanity during periods such as the Civil Rights movement could prevent you from using potentially harmful language that alludes to those times.
A look at the deck
For years issues of diversity have plagued the dialogue between students and faculty. Although the deck is not shuffled as well as some would like students believe Pepperdine is not exactly a barren homogenous wasteland. Students like junior Greg Lee believe Pepperdine can still serve as a catalyst for cultural development. “College is all about getting out of your comfort zone Lee says. At Pepperdine it’s a little hard [for the majority] but seek it out.”
Lee knows the “Mac” perspective all too well. After living in Koreatown where as he describes it you could live well without even speaking English his parents moved to New Mexico. “The Asian population was like .02 percent but they moved because they wanted my brother and I to get along with all races. And I feel blessed because of that.”
Junior Jayde Asford has also grown up in a diverse environment. “I grew up with all different backgrounds of people Ashford says. I never stood in an environment where people stare at me and say ‘Oh you’re black’ until now.”
Minority groups find themselves toggling between operating systems to fit in an environment such as Pepperdine’s. For these students the problem is not the lack of diversity on campus; instead it is the lack of understanding.
There is this set idea of cultural insensitivity says Ashford. As long as you don’t carry a noose or say the “N” word you’re not racist. But as junior Natalie Gomez suggests “Just because you don’t do those things doesn’t make you culturally competent.”
Gomez recalled an event when her professor assumed she was not a U.S. citizen and another time when someone asked her if she worked with Sodexo the food service company for the campus. “No I’m Mexican-American. My dad went to school here Gomez replied.
Jeff Banks, director of the Social Action and Justice Colloquium (SAAJ), admits he has mistakenly judged people based on appearance. Three times I caught myself being prejudiced Banks admits. After seeing doctors, Banks received a referral to the premiere doctor of doctors. Actually seeing the doctor surprised him, The first thing I thought ‘The [top doctor]? Black?’ And I caught myself ‘What am I thinking?!'” Part of SAAJ subject matter is the learning of social issues such as discrimination of race sex and disability. Each year freshmen commit themselves to learn about these issues and to serve a social cause – a curriculum that continues even to the end of their college career.
The SAAJ experience has proven invaluable to its students. When it came to negotiating different cultures junior Daniel Polk says it was a true learning experience. But Polk found resistance from a place where he least expected it: his own family. “The kind of life lessons I’ve learned from SAAJ started to conflict with the older generation and it’s hard.”
The difficulties he faced included a moment during Thanksgiving dinner when his grandmother said she hoped nobody would bring a black girl home for the holidays as a love interest. Hurt to hear that from his own grandmother Polk asked her why would that be such a big deal. “I was so frustrated he said.
Get over it.”
Banks recalls a night out with his wife at the L.A. Chamber Orchestra when the conductor took a moment to introduce the next piece and dedicate it to the victims of the Holocaust. “Can’t these Jews get over it?” the man next to Banks muttered.
“‘Get over it'” says Banks proud of his Jewish heritage “The people who survived the concentration camps of Hitler say ‘Please remember-you can honor us by remembering.’ I think the same goes for slavery.” The same goes for the treatment of Latino-Americans as second-class non-citizens the Native American struggle marginalization of Asian-Americans in the past and currently of Middle Eastern-Americans. But having that reference in mind is what really makes the concept stick.
For Banks one instance of this was coming home from war. “I saw black soldiers wearing the uniforms of our country and they couldn’t drink out of the same drinking fountains [as I could] Banks says. It was mind-boggling.”
Reading an
anthology of injustice through the span of all time is not a requirement — neither for SAAJ nor to become more culturally competent. To Banks the answer is using your ears: “Listening is hard work but if we listened in a deeper way we could understand clearly.”
Making the bid to listen could be just as hard when the environment does not exactly prompt urgency. Junior Thiersten Rose says the majority will have to be intentional if they want change. “When you’re a majority at Pepperdine it’s very acute. You don’t have to notice the lack of diversity when you’re white Rose says.
Last month the Intercultural Affairs, ICA, hosted Did You Just Say That?” a forum that addressed racial stereotypes and opened dialogue about cultural awareness.
Junior Greta Miersma who volunteered to speak as a panelist was surprised by the lack of diversity — even at an event promoting this very topic. “There were like four white people Miersma says. Adds Gomez, who is also the Latino eduction intern, We expected a bigger turnout. I felt like we were preaching to the choir.”
During the forum the panelists addressed each of the most prevalent stereotypes. As one of the white panelists Miersma says she felt the tension mount as she expressed her views a feeling that she feels whenever the subject of race or ethnicity comes up. “I feel like I have to be a little more careful she says. It’s kind of unfair because when we say something a little un-PC we get hounded.”
Lee says minority students should acknowledge the need for action on the majority-end but also see the responsibility on their end as well. “Across the board there’s a fine line between one side being ignorant and the other side being oversensitive Lee says.
The call to action
In this collaborative aspect of understanding, there truly is a level of give and take. Rodriguez proposes the concept of sympathetic insiders and outsiders. He says that minority groups should take it upon themselves to be patient and do what it takes to educate the majority so they may be sympathetic outsiders. Part of our job as minorities is to be the experts Rodriguez says. He adds that part of that responsibility includs fostering an environment, such as the ICA forum, where people can ask uninformed, un-PC even perceivably stupid questions, and still feel safe and welcomed. For some, that may mean gaining more patience, empathy and even a greater understanding of their own culture.
The majority group should take interest and initiative in becoming that sympathetic outsider, whether the motive is to become a better person, Christian, or simply because it will benefit them in their careers.
Actions to accomplish this may include attending upcoming ICA forums or events hosted by the Pepperdine Asian Student Association, Latino Student Association and the Black Student Association, opening up dialogues and encouraging others to follow suit. Junior John Collett suggested that, instead of dwelling on the differences of a person, focus on who the individual is. The only thing about that is initiating it. I don’t know if people are intimidated… or if people are consumed with the way they’ve been brought up he says. That’s the thing about college it’s your time to explore and learn what you believe — not what you’ve been told.”
No one is asking to obliterate prejudice – that is something we all deal with – but there are ways to offset it. Banks believes awareness is key. “I think in terms of prejudice we all have it. But if we are aware we can catch it Banks says. And if you are on the other end, Polk adds something else that might be helpful. When you are offended first you should seek to understand them but even if they didn’t mean to offend you…let them know Polk says. Calling out the action politely can help a person see why it was offensive and can help the person in the future. Lee adds, The biggest thing is understanding.”
Dealing with the race cards
David Holmes another SAAJ professor believes that the ways to tackle prejudice will be different for each of us. “You have to find your own way to wrestle with the advantages and limitations to the narrative of colorblindness Holmes says. I think we [as a society] don’t want naive color blindness. What we want is a progressive respect for color consciousness.” Cultural competence reaches far beyond political correctness; it is recognition of the story that each person presents.
Rose adds “[We have to] communicate that there is something bigger than our disagreements and that is the connection of being Americans at Pepperdine Christians.” As a Christian Rose aligns her social life with her spiritual life. “If Jesus could kick it with lepers Samaritans women and tax collectors the least we can do is try to get to know someone from another culture she says. It’s not like ‘You need to feel my pain.’ I’m saying you need to know where I’m coming from.”
When Holmes teaches his SAAJ section on the Civil Rights movement he realizes the delicate balancing act to “communicate the horrors without sounding bitter.” Says Holmes “It’s not easy but it has to be done.”
Instances such as “lynchpin” can occur when a player does not have the guidance of a diverse hand of experiences or interactions; though honest mistakes or unfortunate coincidences they still have implications.
At Pepperdine – where it would seem students innately have a world-minded view with its emphases on expanding horizons and mindsets through the various international programs – the next step is taking the lessons learned and making them practical in an everyday setting. Says Lee “They send us to Africa the Sudan we have Project Serve and all of those things but let’s do that at home. Let’s fix things at home before we fix them other places.”
Let me be clear: I didn’t write scathing letters to CNN after every time they reported the woes of Merrill Lynch. This issue transcends pettiness and trite associations. I am just saying that with a strong hand and a new vista* in life the personal and professional benefits cannot be too far away.
* “view” in Spanish