Elaina Eakle
ehe001@marietta.edu
A showing of “Dear White People” on Feb. 11 encouraged Marietta College students to evaluate issues of racism and discrimination on campus.
Of the topics discussed in the film, one of the most important for students was the problematic idea of a post-racial society. As depicted in the film, MC students feel that many on campus do not think about issues regarding race, or believe that racism is no longer a problem.
“Dear White People” is a satirical comedy exploring the struggle of African American students on an Ivy League college campus. Though the president of the school insists it does not have an intolerance problem, the experience of students suggests otherwise as they try to combat discrimination and stereotypes.
Following the film, junior Brittany Waugaman, senior Madison Moreno and senior Michael Fahy led a panel discussion prompting students to reflect on the movie, including determining what problems explored in the film are most represented on Marietta’s campus. Many students agreed that one of MC’s primary issues is an unwillingness to recognize that there is a problem.
“I think it is a prevalent myth in our society that we live in a post-race society,” Moreno said. “For our campus specifically there is a sort of consensus with addressing race, and that is to not address it.”
Junior Chanell Cornett agreed that awareness is a significant problem on campus.
“I feel like some white people here do fit some of the white characters in the movie, such as their beliefs of a post-racial society and not having privilege,” she said.
Some students feel as though the campus is not making enough of an effort to bring attention to these issues.
“Even for a college campus, Marietta is incredibly white dominated,” sophomore Teresa Kuhns said. “I think the thing that plagues me the most is apathy.”
Senior Taylor Myers felt that the film was effective in promoting diversity and encouraging students to take action.
“Of all of Marietta’s seven core values, diversity is the one Marietta taught me the most about since my arrival in August 2011,” he said. “This film is one of the many tools this illustrious institution used to open my eyes, help me think about issues on both a micro and macro scale, and charge me to make a difference.”
Senior Chelsea Smith believed that the film would have had a greater impact had there been a larger audience.
“I wish there would have been more diversity in who came to the movie and who served on the panel,” she said. “It’s difficult to recognize how these issues affect our campus since there weren’t people who have felt discriminated against or judged for their race present during the movie.”
Smith also felt that the issues were not presented in the best possible way.
“The movie tried to be a satire and comical in its approach, but I would have enjoyed it more had it been more factual and challenging of society,” she said. “I’ve taken courses on power and privilege here at Marietta and found the material covered within the course more persuasive and informative than what the movie presented.”
Sophomore Clayton Evans agreed that the themes of the movie could have been presented more effectively.
“I thought the movie had really great potential talking about in-group and out-group stereotyping and role playing, but it lost all of that potential with dropped plot lines and really just too much useless storyline,” he said.
Though students disagreed on the impact of the film, all students involved in the discussion agreed that Marietta has issues of privilege and discrimination that need addressed.
Senior Elisha Laubacher cited events that occurred last semester that demonstrate the need for change on campus.
“After MC Speaks Out did the protest at the midnight breakfast, there was a huge backlash,” she said.
MC Speaks Out formed last semester as an independent student group to generate dialogue around the inequalities faced by black people. After the group organized a silent protest in December, disgruntled students on Yik Yak accused the group of ruining Midnight Breakfast. In addition, Laubacher said that a “Black Lives Matter” banner created by MC Speaks Out was ripped down in one day.
Despite this, many students are hopeful that MC will be able to make the needed changes and end racism and discrimination.
“Raising awareness that racism still exists is the first step,” Laubacher said.
Cornett agrees that additional efforts need to be taken to raise student awareness of issues existing on campus.
“I believe that the best way to influence change on our campus is through more education, awareness, and instead of optional voluntary events, some events dealing with social issues need to be required,” she said. “As I know people are entitled to their opinions and many may not change them, this does not discourage me because I believe that if I can change a few opinions then I have achieved my goal.”
From the discussion of the film, students have given MC much to consider.
