Last
semester, I had to dig through the Rhodes College database for one of my
finals. I came across many of the digitized issues of The Sou’wester from the mid-1900s. There was one issue in
particular that really struck me. In it, the campus created a dialogue about
the introduction of black sororities to the college in an attempt to create a space
for black women in which they could foster their own community. The cover
included excerpts from student interviews with four different students on their
climate revolving around this new space. The biggest picture in this series was
of a white female student who was rather suspicious of the introduction of
black sororities on campus. She claimed that she had to do more research to
feel more comfortable to speak on the topic. Another white female student
thought that the inclusion of black sororities was unnecessary and that black
women should just join the sororities that were already on campus. A black male
student said that the inclusion of black sororities would be a great addition
to the campus and seemed quite excited about the prospect. Lastly, a black
female student articulated that she would rather have a black sorority on
campus for a space that she feels comfortable.
The
most prominent argument about this discussion is the establishment of black
physical spaces, which has been a major theme throughout the course. The white
women did not grasp the importance of inclusion of black spaces as sacred for
black students and black communities. Ironically, the campus was already run by
greek organizations from this point, which still stands today. Many of these
organizations were founded upon and perpetuated racism through their
exclusionary practices. Did most of these greek organizations even look to
black students to be members? Yet, there is a cause for concern when black
folks attempt to create their own greek organizations. This speaks volumes for
the white fear that black people can create spaces that can equate white spaces
to a certain degree. Of course, we all know that black sororities and fraternities
exist on this campus now, but there is still the question looming over Rhodes
about the inclusion and creation of black spaces.
From
my understanding, many of BSA’s meeting are held in what is known as the annex;
a space tucked away on campus. At the forefront, however, are the “traditional”
fraternities plaguing the entrance of the college. The first thing a visitor or
resident sees when entering through the main gate of the campus is frat row.
Even all the sororities have their own houses on the opposite side of campus.
On the other hand, where are the physical spaces that we have acknowledged for
black fraternities and sororities? I think this is something to think about as
we all traverse the Rhodes nightlife as we attend parties, such as “Funky Town”
and “Disco” formals.
This is a super important issue about physical layout corresponding with priorities and bias. This campus has a huge issue with inclusion, not only through space, but also resource allocation and college acceptances in general.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, I want to make it clear that people who are within hegemonic identities do not need their own spaces. Just like white people don'd need a space to be white, men don't need a space to be men. People who are already the norm can only have their biases reaffirmed in these spaces, whereas spaces specifically for minorities and non-normed groups create empowering communities that subvert the impact and stress of daily oppression.
I totally agree with the point that Atticus made. Questions dealing with space often reveal where an institution’s priorities lie. I have heard rumors since my freshman year that Rhodes does not have the “power” to request the fraternities to even clean their houses for events such as admitted students day. This power may come from Rhodes’ fear that prominent alumni from those chapters may stop donating to Rhodes or through the influence of the national IFC chapters (I don't have all the info on this, so feel free to correct me). Also, at one point in the last few years at least one of the historically black sororities on campus was assigned to a Palmer classroom for their ritual/meeting space. I would imagine that there would be a strong pushback from national representatives and on-campus members of the NPC and IFC if Rhodes requested that their secret rituals be performed in a less than private venue such as Palmer Hall. In my opinion, Rhodes needs to facilitate the establishment of spaces on campus (houses or otherwise) whose primary function is supporting the historically black greek organizations on campus, especially if the NPC and IFC houses continue to be such prominent fixtures on campus.
ReplyDeleteLamisa, thank you for your investigation of a question that simply has not been asked nearly enough. What does the reservation of physical campus space for majority-white organizations say about our campus? What does it say about our college that black students who want to be part of a fraternity or sorority have to physically leave campus to do so? What does it say about our college that minority student organizations are relegated to one of the most physically invisible spots on campus, literally an architectural space designed to be temporary? I could go on, but I think the point is made. The symbolic and tangible ramifications of excluding spaces on campus from students of color are quite worrying.
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