The Patriot

Every month, the Student Activities Center and the Multicultural Student Services Center hold one of their R.E.A.L. (Relationship, Ethnicity, Activism, and Life) Conversations.  On its website, SAC describes these events as "an opportunity for students at The George Washington University to come together in a safe and trusting environment that supports and promotes the discussion of issues regarding diversity and multiculturalism."

The first R.E.A.L. Conversation of the year was titled "Who's Laughing Now? When Racial Jokes Cross the Line" and was presented by the Asian Pacific American Film organization (APA) and cosponsored by the GW NAACP and the Philippine Cultural Society.  The purpose of the event was to discuss and raise awareness of the impact of cultural stereotypes and racial comedy upon our society.

The representatives of APA began their presentation by compiling racial stereotype profiles from audience suggestions.  They began with the stereotypical white guy.  One student in the audience began the game by determining white guys to be Al Gore types.  The comments and descriptions that followed included the terms boring, stiff, and ugly.  As this was simply a compilation of stereotypical characteristics, this "white guy" was not offended.

Next we determined the stereotype of Asians.  The audience came to a consensus that there are two types, the "ninja" and "non-ninja."  We decided to profile the latter one.  People described the look of such a person as one who wears a plaid shirt with socks pulled up high and glasses.  Then began the description of stereotypical Asian traits.  "Socially inept" and "nerdy" seemed to be the consensus stereotype.  As we finished up defining a couple more racial stereotypes, most members of the audience participated cautiously, thought before speaking, and tried to describe the societal stereotype rather than their personal stereotype.

After many of the people who happened to be racial minorities were finished talking about the role of their respective races in movies and in society, I challenged the stereotype of the white male.  I proposed that the portrayal and widely held understanding of white males as monolithic, affluent, and privileged is just as destructive, hurtful, and shameful as other stereotypes.  But one black student scoffed and said, "White people will always feel a sense of entitlement."  I attempted to counter this argument, but I was cut off shortly thereafter and the conversation was directed elsewhere.  None of the event facilitators, who are supposed to foment "a safe and trusting environment," felt the need to attack this anti-white racism or allow that discussion to continue.  What if I had been the one to generalize all black people, and presumed to know a black person's life better than him?  Would they have reacted the same?

While this R.E.A.L. Conversation was a valuable experience and forum for discussion, for a few it seemed to be a place merely to vent.  The R.E.A.L. coordinators could have improved this discussion by giving ordinate attention to all forms of racism and misunderstanding rather than focus solely on majority-minority hate.  Despite these few unpleasant experiences, I found this R.E.A.L. Conversation to be engaging, enlightening, and very worthwhile.  I would recommend every GW student to attend at least one.

Tyler Hahn is a contributor to the GW Patriot.

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