'See me' shirts spark debate about MCC

By Manuel Pérez

As I sat in my Spanish class on the Mexican Revolution earlier this week, I asked the class, "ÿvale la pena?" â€" is it worth it?àWhy work so hard for a cause that some will never really understand?àThe Multicultural Center teaches about different cultures and advocates awareness about current issues affecting our communities.à

The buzz about the MCC around campus, however, is to just the contrary.àExclusive, cliquey, racist and segregated are just a few of the labels I hear that she said, that he said, that she said.à

Two major issues have made the MCC a hot topic of conversation recently:àthe MCC t-shirts and a message board on Santa Clara's "dogears" Web site. Many have misunderstood the meaning behind the t-shirts.àBlack t-shirts with "see me" printed on them were meant to reject the notion of color-blindness.à

In a color-blind society, difference is sacrificed in favor of a false sense of social harmony; no one person is distinguished from the other.àThe MCC challenges this notion with the t-shirts.àPeople should acknowledge difference and still be able to live in a world based on equality.à

A variety of faces on the back side of the shirts, ranging from smiling faces in yellow, red, green, beige and brown mixed with blank, expressionless faces in white were meant to illustrate this concept.àThe blank faces represent the lack of character and personality embodied in a color-blind society.àThe smiling, colored faces symbolize the acknowledgement of a person's background without prejudice and racism.à

Without noting our diverse backgrounds, you do not really know anything about what makes me who I am.à

Thus, see me.ààà

The other item causing much controversy is the posting of the question "Should SCU make more space for the MCC?" on the Web site.àThe message board has accrued a number of responses, many of which have nothing to do with space issues.àThe MCC embraces open dialogue and sees the benefits of the message board.à

However, many posts on the board are nothing short of scary and have left MCC members thinking they are no longer in Kansas anymore.à

The necessity of an MCC is questioned and our motives for spreading awareness are criticized.àAn anonymous contributor posted: "People who are not white are using these powers they have gained since the days of Martin Luther King to put the white man in a bad position socially.àThey enjoy it."à

This individual then proceeds to claim that students use the MCC as a shelter for their insecurity with not being white in American society.à

These posts remind the MCC that we can not cease to exist in systems of higher education any time soon.àThe fact that these sentiments are being harbored by just one student in a university setting today is reason enough to forge through and continue promoting multiculturalism and diversity.àThere is still progress to be made.à

When a student posts, "as I see it, the tensions on diversity are not all that great on campus," it is a sign that a serious evaluation of the distribution of power in society is needed.à

It is one thing to not notice tension.àIt is a completely different issue if your position allows you to function without noticing discrimination. Others do not have that privilege.à à

Contrary to popular belief, MCC members do not actively seek conflict. We are driven by a genuine effort to spread awareness of issues we have seen with the eyes of minority persons.àThe MCC strives to share this vision with others and help build a true safe space for everyone. à

û Senior Manuel Perez is the director of the Multicultural Center.