Call to action after diversity forum

By Mariam Mostamandy

"Listen to what I'm saying."

"Reach out."

"Say, 'Hello.'"

"Just smile."

These were only some of the comments and advice Santa Clara students gave out at last Wednesday's Open Forum on diversity. These are actions we can carry out every day as individuals if we choose to be conscious enough to do so. But we must do even more.

Professor Aldo Billingslea said, "Find a solution." Did you hear him? Because he didn't just say it. His voice boomed throughout the Saint Clare Room.

Many students attempted to bypass the microphone like Professor Billingslea, but he was the only one who truly did not need the amplification. His wisdom and passion demanded attention. He shared that he's watched racism take place in the blatant form of theme parties three times in the past twelve years at Santa Clara. During their four years at Santa Clara, at least three graduating classes should have known better.

One of the first questions at the forum asked attendees of the Notorious P.H.I party if they believed that anyone at the party was offensively dressed. The Alpha Phi president, Jessica Canalin, on behalf of herself and her organization, said, "No." Later, other students shared their struggles about coming from backgrounds that they felt parties such as the one held on Sept. 30 2009, mocked. One woman cried in front of 200 or more students, an overflowing room of people, because of how incredibly hurt she was by some Santa Clara students making a parody of her ethnicity.

Following this powerful story, I wish I had asked the first question again: "For people who attended the party, do you feel that anyone was dressed offensively?" I hope that the answer would have been different. But hope is not enough.

To Professor Billingslea and all Santa Clara students, faculty and staff who are interested in a solution, here is a starting point:

I want this moment recorded in all student organizations' histories, whether the organization is officially affiliated with Santa Clara or not. I want it to be a significant part of each year in every organization to bring up, discuss and reflect on mistakes like offensive theme parties and the struggles of the campus community. I want you to make a point of reminding each of your members about the biggest issues of race, class and media that influence events such as theme parties.

I want you to work side by side to set an example for individual students to think and act at a higher level because we are privileged enough to do so. I want to see this happen every year.

I want to trust that racism is actively being prevented by all student organizations and by all students long after I have left Santa Clara.

Theme parties have happened, on average, once every four years for twelve years. I want the organizations that represent Santa Clara students to prove that we do not make the same mistakes over and over. Not anymore.

Students will listen. Students will smile. Students will say, "Hello."

Student organizations, please refrain from talking things to death. Start somewhere. Do something. I want the organizations that brought together an incredible number of people last week to now do something.

Mariam Mostamandy is a junior anthropology major.