OBSA Director Hughes Suffren's Statement on the Kwanzaa Incident

From: obsa-bounces@lists.cuc.claremont.edu [mailto:obsa-bounces@lists.cuc.claremont.edu] On Behalf Of Hughes Suffren
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 11:58 AM
To: obsa@lists.cuc.claremont.edu
Subject: [Obsa] A MESSAGE FROM OBSA
Importance: High

Dear Students, IDAS Faculty, Administrators and Staff,

OBSA Staff has met with many students (of all ethnicities) during the past few days regarding the recent OBSA Kwanzaa Celebration and ensuing controversy involving a group of non-Black students who attended the event. There is tension all around. Some Black students believe that programming from the OBSA is for Black students only, while other Black students think differently. On the other hand, at least one white student with whom I spoke questioned the need to have “an all Black group.” He said, “Why aren’t there any white groups or white student affairs’ offices.” I hope to provide clarification regarding “Black only” programs, the continued need for programs that serve specific populations and the use of Facebook.

Cultural programs sponsored by OBSA are seen as opportunities to tell the truth and veracity of the African American story versus the lifetime of negative stereotypes that may have been prevalent in academic form in K-12. To tell our story our way is part of what we have worked for and so many have died for. In this new era of leadership of an African American president, we should be moving forward promoting inclusivity, which is not a new direction, but the best of old directions: to be inclusive, never exclusive. Yes, it is true that 100% of OBSA programming maintains Black students as its target; however, this is different from Blacks only. Students of all races are welcome to attend any program that is sponsored by OBSA. One would only hope that the purpose for any student attending an OBSA program is either to learn and/or affirm their own culture, as well as to be educated about a group that may be different from themselves, which is exactly the scenario which played out with the eight students from Harvey Mudd College who attended the Kwanzaa event. Several HMC student leaders consulted with staff from OBSA and the HMC Office of Institutional Diversity about participating in a Kwanzaa event and received invitations to attend the OBSA Kwanzaa event held at Scripps College.

Conversely, a special program for white culture is unnecessary because the whole of American society serves as the white cultural center. The culture of whites (Europeans) is pervasive and predominant throughout all of our institutions: education, media, government, etc. Therefore, history that is taught in K-12 has come from the European perspective. For the sake of other groups of people who must, out of necessity, exist in this society, and for the sake of those Europeans who understand that all cultures are valuable, such centers as OBSA and The Intercollegiate Department of Africana Studies must exist to make sure African American culture is known and appreciated. Through such study, we all learn from each other.

There are many organizations that specifically engage in the dissemination of information about white culture and other cultures: the Shriners; the Rotarians; the Promise Keepers; fraternities traditionally on Frat Row; and Cultural Centers such as, Asian American, Native American, Chicano/Latino, Black/African American, Queer Resource Centers, etc. Some of these groups have more perverse leanings than others; yet the result is the same: the groups exist to perpetuate culture in some form. When this approach works best in a society, and particularly on college campuses, all groups are recognized and valued for their contributions. None is held in greater esteem than the other. None is considered superior or inferior to the other.

There has been escalating tension on Facebook, a medium that Black students currently use to discuss their personal issues. Some issues, however, have been inappropriately discussed, offending students of all communities, and for this, OBSA must take partial responsibility. Therefore, when the Spring semester begins, OBSA and college staff will host 5-C community forums. There, we will reintroduce proper ways to communicate and interact, work toward resolving issues, and develop and embody a greater community standard.

We hope you all enjoy a well-deserved semester break.

Sincerely,

Hughes Suffren, Dean/Director

Office of Black Student Affairs

Claremont University Consortium

(909) 607-3669

hughess@cuc.claremont.edu