On March 18th, 2019, a paper with the phrase “It’s okay to be white” was found in two boys restrooms on campus.
In an email sent from President Laurie M. Joyner, “Diversity is one of our celebrated core values at Saint Xavier. This calls us to condemn racism in any form and support everyone in our community regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or country of origin. We are stronger as a community for our diversity and strive to create a campus environment where differing ideas may be freely expressed and debated.”
Saint Xavier University condemns these acts of racism and an investigation through public safety has been set forth. There are two ways you could interpret this phrase.
You could take it as a joke, a funny way to bring up the racial issues in this country while also informing people that “not all white people are bad.”
Or, you could take it as an act of racism and a poorly written statement given at the wrong time, following the terrorist attack in New Zealand. I see it as both. In a general sense, racism is the hatred or inferiorizing another race. It could also be defined as ignoring white privilege, ignoring the systematic oppression minorities face, or making a race-related comment or joke.
Racism is very hard to pin down one specific definition for given the many ways it’s consciously and unconsciously expressed. However, the phrase “it’s okay to be white” filled with its undertones of dark humor and uncomfortable comedy, should not have been written on a piece of paper and placed in the boys bathroom.
It may have been a joke or a real statement of fear and questioning of society. The fact of the matter is, it was the wrong place and the wrong time to make this kind of statement. For example, if you heard this at a comedy club in the 90s, you would probably hear a big laugh. This is because it was before the terrorist attacks of 9/11, countless school shootings, and international terror that has taken place since then. It would also be a more appropriate area because it would be in a comedy club, presumably with a stand-up comedian who knows their audience.
At Saint Xavier University however, where a huge percentage of the population is of minority race, where we celebrate diversity and inclusion, and following the very recent terror attacks in New Zealand, one could say now is not the appropriate time nor place. I do not think this was an extremist attack at the minorities on campus, and I don’t think there was any harm meant by it. It could have been a joke or just a statement.
But I believe in diversity and inclusion and standing with those who are different from me. This should not have been placed anywhere on campus. We must remember that we are fighting injustice together, as a campus, as a community, as a family. We are not as different as we believe and if we find peace in SXU, we can grow as equals.
Emily Rubino
Opinions Editor