Saint Anselm College
Racial and Ethnic Diversity at SAC
This section is for discussion of issues relating to diversity of ethnic and geographic origin and the physical and cultural differences that go with them.
Questions to discuss might include:
- Is there still racism at SAC? What forms does it take?
- How is your experience at SAC different because of who you are racially or ethnically?
- How far have we come in overcoming racism? Do the categories and issues of the 20th century still apply?
- Are members of different nationalities or ethnicities treated differently here? Who has the hardest time?
- What do programs to increase diversity of this type add to the college? How can we help people of different ethnicities and races to feel welcome here?
- Should we be trying to lose our ethnic and racial and cultural differences or should we be trying to retain our differences? Does emphasizing our categories help or hurt?
- If you are white. do enjoy privilege or opportunities that others don’t? Is it fair? Is that your fault? What can you do about it?
Feel free to respond to this or register for the site and post your own thread in this category.
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about 10 years ago
There is absolutely racism at Saint Anselm college. I was talking to a friend last week about a party we were at the night before and how everybody left the party only an hour into it. She told me it was because a group of black students were there and that when black students come to parties, everybody leaves.I couldn’t believe that. And the worst part was that she seemed to aggree with it saying the black students were “scaring her” because they were crazy. I one hundred percent do not agree with that, and i can’t believe that type of racism exists here.
about 10 years ago
I have no doubt that there is still racism here. I’ve seen it in slightly more subtle forms that what you mention. I wonder how much of what went on had as much to do with cultural stereotypes as well as race. Some women might be uncomfortable with men they view as stereotypical athletes or “jocks” or men who adopt a “rap” attitude of posturing aggressiveness or lack of respect for women. Do you think the women in question might have had the same reaction to a bunch of white athletes adopting these stereotypes? The intersection of racial and cultural stereotypes is hard to disentangle, but will we ever get to the point where we can dislike some person or group without race being an issue? Or is race so tied up with our identities that everything involves it? When is the race card in play?
about 10 years ago
Racism at Saint Anselm College does exist. I have personally not experienced what Mrs. Mort and her friend experienced, however, this campus has numerous clicks in which may have played a factor. Saint Anselm College has a very high percentage of white students compared to blacks making diversity on campus limited.
Now I realize that diversity is not only black and white we do have other ethnicities on campus but they are too outnumbered by the Caucasian students. Personally my experience on campus has been good I feel very comfortable. Being a white female I am part of the majority on campus. As for white privileges, I honestly have never really thought about them. Apparently they do exist, however I do not think they are fair. Everyone should have an equal right and opportunity no matter race or ethnicity.
about 10 years ago
Racism is still demonstrated here at Saint Anselm College today. It is shown in subtle forms but still goes far beyond black or white. Our campus is certainly lacking diversity which makes it difficult for the students to become more aware and knowledgeable of how to treat these issues. There have not been incidents to my knowledge that have occurred but it is shown just by the cafeteria and who everyone sits with. People who feel closest to certain people because they share the same interests always sit together and hang out together.
We should definitely be trying to lose ethnic and racial differences amongst us because it does not matter what our skin color or ethnical background is, we all share similar interests just by attending the same college. It is easy to say that being a part of the majority on campus it is a very inviting and comfortable setting but if I was not relatable in some ways to the majority it would be much harder to fit in or walk into the cafeteria finding at least one person you knew well enough to enjoy a meal with. I think we could do more to help increase the diverse population on campus and I think it would be very beneficial to everyone because we will get to personally learn more about people and where they may come from for long term results in eliminating any racism.
about 10 years ago
Racism still exists everywhere, including Saint Anselm College. How can we possibly be immune to it when our campus is dominated by Caucasians? To modify a somewhat dated line frequently used by comedians: A black kid on this campus is like an albino at the Apollo. You notice.
(When commenting on racism at St. A’s, it will ultimately become a conversation about blacks and whites. Though we do have hispanics, asians, etc., they do not seem to call much attention for some reason.)
Others on this blog writing about losing racial differences and equal opportunity for everyone are dreaming of a world that will never exist. And those who claim that we have no racism on campus need to open their eyes. We pretend to be “colorblind,” as some put it, in our safe, secure environment of St. A’s, but I have personally witnessed instances of racism during my years at this institution.
Many of the race-related conflicts that I have witnessed were during parties or times when alcohol is involved. Go figure.
General example: If someone hosts a party in their apartment and something goes missing, if one of the ethnic males on campus – yes, males… but that is a conversation for a different blog – was present, he would be blamed. I have witnessed it countless times.
Personal example: Last year I was at a party that turned into a giant drunken fiasco, as parties often do. There was discrepancy over a game of Beirut that sent both teams into a frenzy. Words quickly turned into fists and one of the young men called for reinforcements. These reinforcements happened to be black. Long story short, the black students, who originally had nothing to do with this conflict, were attacked with “n-bombs” from various angry onlookers. At the time, I was honestly shocked that people said that. I realize that the n-word is tossed around in music and television, and in rare occasions, jokingly between friends, but the way that the word was used in this situation was completely inappropriate and really opened my eyes to the “perfectly loving and accepting” community around me.
Though everyone tries to be diverse and inclusive, it is simply impossible. St. A’s in definitely no exception.