DEBATE Part II: Cultural clubs leave some feeling empowered, others isolated
By Kendra Boyd
As the director of the Multicultural Center, people always ask me what I think about the fact that many white students do not feel comfortable going to the MCC. Some argue that white students don't come to our events or meetings because we, the students of color, don't welcome them. When asked about this, I wonder why the questions always revolve around white students. I respond to those of you who ask this question to challenge yourself to think in a different way. What does this campus do to perpetuate the need for students of color to participate in the MCC?
The MCC is the one place on campus where white students are no longer in the majority. They have a choice to step out of their comfort zone for one moment to experience what it is like to be a minority. Once they leave the MCC, they return to their world of privilege.
Students of color do not have that choice. It is an everyday experience with which we must deal. That is why many visit once, never come back and argue that students of color don't want them there.
We have an open door policy and encourage students of every race and ethnicity to come and feel welcome. But we will not take the blame for the fact that many choose not come. It is not our responsibility to make white students feel comfortable when they get that everywhere else on campus.
People also argue that within the MCC we segregate ourselves from one another. One visit to a club meeting is not enough evidence to make a blanket assumption about the whole MCC. There is the need for more cross-cultural exchange, but it is false to argue that it does not happen at all. The MCC just finished a week of mesher meetings, where two ethnic clubs came together in one meeting to discuss issues and fellowship with one another.
A Mexican student is the co-chair of the Asian Pacific Islander Student Union (APSU); a white student serves on the MCC programming board; a student half Asian and half white is the co-chair of the Black Student Union's Mentor Program; a Filipino student is the programming board representative for the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA). At any given BSU meeting you will find Black, Latino, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese and white students. However, the fact that a cultural club is comprised of members that have that cultural heritage should not surprise anyone. It is silly to think that a student-run organization is going to be perfect in all areas and have all the answers; we do the best we can.
Our existence disturbs the level of comfort people have. Our purpose is clearly stated: this campus is not supportive of minority students so we have to create our own environment where we and our experiences are validated.
The MCC is one of the few places on Santa Clara's campus where our issues get addressed. We challenge white privilege. If all people are not comfortable with that idea then so be it. It wouldn't be the first time in history where that happened. The state of our communities, our families and our people are more important to us and are more worthy of our time and energy. The truth must be told because it has been ignored for so long. "If not us, then who?"