Front Page Panel looks at insensitivity March 27, 2002 In reaction to diversity and cultural issues that have affected Texas A&M this semester, The Battalion invited a panel of student leaders to convene to discuss racial and cultural issues at Texas A&M. The result is a three-part series on diversity and culture at A&M from students with diverse points of view, but who all agree they are proud to be Aggies. Part one focused on the past racial and cultural issues at A&M. Part two covers present issues affecting the campus and part three will cover the future. While many Texas A&M students responded with anger to a Battalion cartoon that many called racist, student leaders at A&M said they are more concerned about why the majority of students reacted with either insensitivity or indifference to the issues surrounding the cartoon. "I'm not worried about the people who didn't know about the cartoon," said Barry Hammond, Memorial Student Center executive vice president of development. "But I'm worried about the people who did pick up The Battalion and saw the cartoon, and said, 'Who cares?'" Student leaders came together in a recent panel discussion to discuss a number of issues relating to diversity that have captivated the campus this semester. Minorities feel unwelcome Panelists said a large number of minority students get accepted to A&M but choose not to attend because of the perception of it being a close-minded and conservative University. More than 70 percent of the student population is white, with less than 30 percent made up of Hispanic, African-American and international students, a proportion panelists said is unattractive and unwelcoming to minority students. Mariano Castillo, editor in chief of The Battalion, said the lack of a strong liberal arts program also deters many minority students from attending the University. Samecia Bloomfield, a representative of the MSC Diversity Council, said Aggies use the word liberal negatively because of the University's strong, conservative values. "Liberal is a dirty word on this campus," Bloomfield said. Panelists also voiced concerns about the use of the Confederate flag on T-shirts supporting the Southern Heritage Society on campus. They said the flag portrays a negative image of A&M to minority students. Pablo Rodriguez, director of diversity with the Student Government Association, said he is offended by the Southern Heritage Society's use of the flag. "It's a concern of many people on this campus," Rodriguez said. "People associate that flag with hate." Tyler Dunman, a member of the Southern Heritage Society and Young Conservatives of Texas, said it is not the organization's intent to make people uncomfortable by using the flag. He said the Confederacy is a symbol of Southern culture and not one of hate. Castillo pointed out the difficulty of defining the flag without explanation, but defended individual's right to express their identity through symbols that are meaningful to them. "If I see a [Confederate flag] sticker on a truck, I don't know whether that guy is a racist or just displaying his Southern heritage," Castillo said. Dunman said each situation is different, and people should not equate one with the other. "Just because someone is displaying the flag doesn't mean they are displaying it for the reasons the [Ku Klux Klan] did," Dunman said. "Instead of people drawing conclusions, they need to come in and talk to us." Lyndon Pryor, president of the African-American Student Coalition, said A&M has a racial history that needs to be acknowledged for minority students to feel accepted on campus. "Students judge A&M on the basis of its history," Pryor said. "The University seems to be proud of that history. It's like a slap in the face." Adrienne Aguirre, chair of the Committee for the Awareness of Mexican-American Culture, told other panelists a story about a Hispanic friend of hers in the Corps of Cadets, who was recently a victim of racism. Earlier this semester, Aguirre's friend returned to his room to find the words, "Go home spic" scrawled on his mirror. She said the incident was never reported but should have been. "Why was the person who was offended OK with that?" Aguirre said. "Everyone should be offended by this." Corps of Cadet representative Mairtin OMuirgheasa agreed. "The whole organization should be offended by that," he said. Defining diversity Some panelists said as A&M strives to become more diverse, the word "diversity" is being overused, and students are tired of hearing it. Many students think of the word as referring only to minority students and excluding white students from the definition, panelists said. That could not be further from the truth, they said. "When someone says, 'I'm not a part of the diversity dialogue because I'm white, they're wrong," Rodriguez said. "Diversity is about everyone." Rodriguez said just because he is a Hispanic student does not mean that he is more diverse than any other student. "I believe diversity makes this University a better place," said Schuyler Houser, student body president. "I don't understand those who don't feel that way." Toward Vision 2020 Panelists said the administration is not doing a good job of promoting diversity on campus. While they strive to recruit more minority students, panelists said administrators are increasing fees making it difficult to bring in those students. "The administration is going about its Vision 2020 diversity initiative the wrong way with raising fees," Dunman said. Panelists also said the administration's top 20 percent plan was met with disapproval because of a misconception of what the plan would do. Many students saw the plan as targeting poor inner-city minorities instead of helping all disadvantaged students in all areas.
'Ghetto parties' fuel A&M probe By CRAIG KAPITAN, HOLLY HUFFMAN and JOHN LEBAS Eagle Staff Writers University officials have launched an investigation at a Texas A&M University dormitory after learning that students were planning a “ghetto party” for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Fliers at Walton Hall advertised the off-campus event, at which participants were to mimic African-American stereotypes. “We’re just having a hard time trying to understand why people would think this would be OK,” said Ron Sasse, director of A&M’s Department of Residence Life. Sasse found out about the event after an anonymous note was sent to his office. The note indicated that similar activities had been staged for several years. The investigation, which will determine if any rules or policies were violated, is being focused on the Walton Hall advisers and the dorm’s student organization. While the student handbook specifically addresses inclusion and diversity, Sasse said he wasn’t sure if any specific rules were violated. “It’s really more of an education issue from our perspective than a punishment issue,” he said. University officials also met with the Walton Hall advisers and went door to door with them to hand out “strongly worded letters,” according to an A&M news release. “Such incidents ... are a disgrace and embarrassment to Texas A&M University,” the letter stated. “[Such] events or acts ... only disgrace, divide and tear down the inclusive community Texas A&M is working so hard to build.” The letter also encouraged students with knowledge of the parties to come forward for the investigation. Such “ghetto parties” are not an unknown phenomenon on college campuses. One of the most notorious occurred in November 1998 at a Dartmouth University fraternity party, which drew national media attention and heated protests. So far, A&M officials said, they believe the parties have been limited to past and present Walton Hall residents. This is not the first time in recent years that Texas A&M students have stirred racial sensitivities. Last January, a cartoon published in The Battalion student newspaper sparked cries of racism. The cartoon depicted a black woman with an apron and exaggerated facial features scolding her meek son for a poor test grade. The controversy subsided after the newspaper’s editor apologized, but many African Americans and others across the state said the cartoon showed a deeper problem of racial ignorance at A&M. Also last year, a major in-house study showed that many minority students declined to attend A&M because they found it unwelcoming. Those who did enroll became more displeased with the campus environment with each passing year, the same study found. About 85 percent of the campus is white, and the university has lost minority faculty and students in recent years despite retention efforts. A&M, which for years was all-white, still carries a reputation among some Texans as a place that is unfriendly to minorities and resistant to ethnic diversity. University President Robert Gates has made greater diversity a priority of his administration. He has announced plans to appoint a vice president for diversity in a highly visible effort to attract more minorities to campus. “I think certainly it is counterproductive to what we’re trying to do here,” university spokeswoman Cindy Lawson said of the party late Thursday night. “Clearly, it’s disgusting. We have to do everything in our power to confront it.” Lawson said officials were disappointed that the event had gone on for years without their knowledge and no one took a stand until now. “It just reiterates that we will have to work harder at this and that it’s a continuing process,” she said. At Walton Hall, resident director Shannon Ensom said she first found out about the party Tuesday. She and the dorm’s 11 resident advisers have met each night since to discuss the party and how it should be addressed, she said. “I just want to make it really clear — it’s not anything that I or my staff are condoning,” Ensom said. The staff has removed flyers advertising the party that were posted across the dorm and replaced them with flyers publicizing a sorority-sponsored Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom March. All Walton staff will be attending the march and are offering to take residents with them, Ensom said. “Apparently ... there are some uninformed residents,” she said. “We will take this opportunity to do some educational programs and diversity training.” But a 20-year-old junior who asked not to be identified said he still planned to attend the off-campus party. He said he didn’t think that any of his fellow dormmates were upset by the “ghetto party” concept. Another Walton resident said he hadn’t realized that the party was being thrown on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. After realizing that, he said, he could see why it was considered offensive. But his friend, who doesn’t live in Walton, said that anyone offended by the party was being “too politically correct.” Senior Greg Hodges, 21, said he didn’t plan on attending, but only because his friends weren’t planning on going. He added that he didn’t believe that the party was offensive as long as nothing “serious” happened. “This was just meant to be done in good humor,” he said. But 18-year-old Walton freshman Akeal Hawkins, who only learned about the party after receiving the university’s letter, said he was offended that fellow Aggies would throw a “ghetto party” on MLK Day. “I didn’t expect this from Texas A&M at all,” said Hawkins, who is black. “You think that this campus is like family.”
I'm not denying there are idiots at A&M who give people a negative perception of the school. I'm questioning your statement that the <b>majority</b> of students have no problem with this type of behavior, and I still don't see how you could have gotten that from either article. Unless it was this... <b> While many Texas A&M students responded with anger to a Battalion cartoon that many called racist, student leaders at A&M said they are more concerned about why the majority of students reacted with either insensitivity or indifference to the issues surrounding the cartoon. </b> This statement is no different from what you wrote. It makes a very bold statement without giving any evidence. I mean, it doesn't even mention a poll or survey of the student body, so I'd be interested to see how they came to the conclusion that the <b>majority</b> of A&M students are ignorant racists. Talk about irresponsible journalism. Sheesh.
Ok, the school paper talking to student leaders have no idea what the students think. Maybe they guage it based on student reaction around campus which was insignificant. I think if the majority of students were outraged, there wouldve been more that spoke out against the cartoon or at least generated some kind of buzz. Maybe the very idea that they needed a poll to survey whether students were outraged suggest that they weren't. Indifference on an issue like this is the same as being insensitive.
Seeing as how most of these guys are seniors...they will likely become commissioned officers at the end of the school year. Your statement proves your ignorance. That's funny...A&M Corp members get the same commissions as West Point grads. Interesting how you fail to mention that. Oh that's right...you didn't know. By most accounts they were doing their evening formations. What is so political about that? You are in dire need of a reality check. Your above statement proved your ignorance...this one proves your stupidity.
Refman, since you are in know, why don't you tell us all, percentage of Corps members go on to join the military? How is the Corps different from any other ROTC group? When I stated: "If they represent a "military" outfit, they should be APOLITICAL while in uniform..." You said: "By most accounts they were doing their evening formations. What is so political about that? You are in dire need of a reality check." NOTHING IS POLITICAL ABOUT THEIR DRILLING - and you obviously have missed the point of this entire thread. They took a political stance when they decided to break formation & disrupt a prayer vigil, threatening them & spouting off about their disagreement with anti-war protests. THAT WAS WHAT MADE IT POLITICAL. They decided to do this while taking part in their "duties" as ROTC cadets. Also, who cares if a commission from ANY ROTC program = one from West Point. A paper diploma from ITT Tech & a paper diploma from A&M are the same in that they are both diplomas, beyond that there is absolutely no comparison that can be made. WHEN YOU GRADUATE WEST POINT YOU HAVE TO ENTER THE MILITARY, you don't HAVE TO do the same after being in the Corps. PLease, please don't try & equate the Corps w/ West Point ever again... P.S. Do you in any way defend the Ross Volunteers actions in this event? Answer this please. Oh, and let's see if you can actually respond without resorting to the arguing style (insults & namecalling) of an 11 year old...
They did't disrupt a prayer vigil...they disrupted an anti-war rally, complete with speeches. You may wish to collect the facts before running your mouth off. Prior to 1962, A&M was a military institution. That's what makes it different from other schools. Get a clue... Unequivocally so. They didn't hurt anybody and merely lodged their protest to an anti-war RALLY (not prayer vigil...but a RALLY). Sorry if they got their precious little feelings hurt. You mean like YOU did when you called the Corps a bunch of p***ies? You might want to move out of the glass house before throwing stones.
It looks like the REAL military might have to attend the next vigil to protect citizens from the PRETEND military. This is sad. I like A&M, they just need to adjust to the times.
Nobody was assaulted...nobody was threatened. You are simply overreacting. The Ross Volunteers are NOT a huge group of cadets. The gathering had nothing to fear. They just don't like it when guys in uniform protest their protest. Grow up and get over it. And for the umpteenth time it was NOT a "vigil." It was an anti-war rally, complete with speakers. Damn...people are touchy.
I walked by on my way to Sbisa towards the end of it, and at the end they did have a vigil. I live in Hart, the closest dorm to the Ross Statue, and I do remember hearing the corp running around outside before I went to Sbisa, though I didn't personally witness anything happen between the two groups. One of my friends did attend the rally though, and he told me that before the vigil some members of the corp came by and heckled at least one of the speakers. Heckling is disrepectful but not illegal. I hadn't heard anything else the article mentioned until I read it.
How the hell does the fact that A&M was a military-linked institution 40 YEARS AGO differentiate it from any other ROTC program TODAY? The military could care less whether you come in from the Corps or from U-La-La's ROTC program. What percentage of Corps members actually go on to join the military? This should be interesting. I notice you skipped over my entire point about the problem with these cadets doing this while engaged in their duties & while representing the Corps... So it's okay to disrupt an anti-war rally just b/c you don't agree with it? Is it okay for someone in a MILITARY-related outfit to disrupt a meeting just b/c they disagree w/ the politics of it? Should the military or any entities related to it be in the business of espousing political views & opinions? Mind you, these cadets weren't just walking across campus on their own time - they were engaged in Corps duties.
Are you serious? Go to a graduation at ANY other school and you will NOT see the commission ceremony that you see at A&M. That's right...the first portion of a graduation at A&M is these guys getting their military commissions and assignments. The fact that it was all military 40 years ago does not diminish the military programs at A&M today. Hell A&M has courses in military science...I doubt that U-LA-La has anything resembling that. I don't think you know what you're spouting off about. Yes. Isn't that the nature of free speech? You have a right in this country to voice your displeasure with what others are saying, so long as no illegal activities occur (ie assault). I can't believe I have to explain this. Yes...it isn't wholly political. There are moral and security related objectives in the war effort. Do I think they should have done it? Maybe not. Do I think they had a right to do it? Yes. They also weren't supporting a political candidate or a party. That is the rationale behind limiting speech when in uniform. What they did here was NOT espousing a certain platform or anything of that nature. Therefore, the policy concerns behind political speech and military personnel does not apply here. As to Corps members joining the military...a good number of them are already in the military. Many Corps members serve in the reserves while in college.
Don't know about the percentage, but I found this on the Corps website, so take it for what it's worth: http://www.aggiecorps.org/home/about <B>Texas A&M consistently produces more officers for the Armed Forces than any other Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) source. With Army, Air Force, and Navy/Marine ROTC instruction available, Texas A&M is one of the few schools to offer military commissions in all branches of service. </B> Also: http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/corps.shtml <b>Texas A&M is one of only three schools with a full-time Corps of Cadets program leading to commissions in all branches of military service -- Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. It has a tradition of providing more trained officers to our nation's armed forces than come from any other military school. </b>
Sigh, as a Baylor grad I'm no Aggie fan (of their sports teams), but coming from someone at Southwest Texas that is a pretty pathetic statement. I seriously hope (but highly doubt) you are being sarcastic.
