The most recent incident, the cause for this letter, was on the night of October 31, 2009, Halloween, where certain white members of the Northwestern community dressed up as black people. One was dressed up as a black woman, which in their specific case, while demeaning, isn’t our entire focus at this point, but is still highly problematic. The other person, in an attempt to resemble a black person, painted their entire body black. If you do not know the history of these actions, all you need to know is one word to understand the disgusting behavior that this person embodied – that word is blackface. Blackface has, surprisingly enough, been on this campus before. Two years ago a very similar incident occurred pointing to the lack of insight of the people in the Northwestern community to make a conscious movement towards combating race problems and specific instances alone.

In our modern era, the history of blackface continuously goes unnoticed and unchallenged, and I am taking this opportunity to bring it to light. It extends back to the roots of slavery where white actors would paint their faces black and lips red or white during minstrel shows to mock how the physical appearance of African-Americans. The fact that blackface is still being used points to the lack of character of not only those that took part in the despicable behavior but points to those around these people with their lack of agency, individuality and character to stand up against this person and tell them to remove their black paint.

We as a community must take the responsibility to defy the oppressive nature of our past if we are ever to move past notions of race. This act not merely was an act of discrimination or even racism, it highlights the severe need of a society to face demons of their past and present to make a new journey. Images like these not only serve to dehumanize all members of the black community at Northwestern University and abroad, but also point to the lack of respect for one’s peers and illuminates the mind state held by a multitude of people at Northwestern. The humor attempted by the situation is merely a facetious attempt to mask the underlying notions of race, and packages the disgusting behavior in a loathing, satirical state of mind, exploiting the lack of a black student body on this campus while using the advantages privilege has given certain communities on campus. It shows that first, this person lacks the conviction and grounding to recognize that there are other people at this university, and also that they feel comfortable enough -– meaning more specifically that there would be no repercussions or consequences for their actions -– to walk around and mock an entire population of people within the very closed, ignorant, arrogant, privileged world that Northwestern seems to give to its community.

We must realize that everything we do is a statement. Everyone in this community must recognize the inexcusable actions of our peers. Everyone must realize that these acts cannot be dissociated from an oppressive, racist American past or from the seeming benign racial state we live in. It is all connected.

We shouldn’t forget that a student last academic year felt the effects of racial profiling by NUPD; more importantly, that was this year, the year 2009. We shouldn’t forget the fact that there have been many other unnoticed incidents of racial discrimination on this campus for not only black men, but also with black women, Hispanic, Asian, Jewish, and Muslim peoples as well.

Everyone must take a collective stand, as progressions can’t be made if we’re separate forever.

Peace and Love,

Kellyn Lewis
Weinberg sophomore
Graduate & Alumni Liaison, Political Action Committee Co-head, For Members Only

But now it’s back. The only difference of the 2009 version is the two “editors” of the book branded its cover with their names. While many know the two are in one certain Greek chapter on campus, it was a bold move to go against the unspoken pact of all four Greek councils to stop the spreading of stereotypes. Even bolder was the decision to proudly advertise 50 percent of proceeds would be donated to “fighting global poverty.” So if Michael Vick donated his dog fighting profits to PETA, would we fawn over his philanthropic efforts?

My beef with the book is what it does to the freshmen, as it automatically categorizes them by reinforcing stereotypes. Sure, the majority of the Class of 2013 won’t shell out the $20 for the book, but it’ll leave an impression on anyone who listens. Why can’t we let the freshmen figure out for themselves whether they like the people in their dorm, or which Greek chapter they want to join (if at all)?

As a member of sorority, I am disgusted two fellow Greeks would take this opportunity to reinforce the belief some have in a Greek hierarchy. Word on the street is every chapter was given the opportunity to write its own page. To those who contributed blindly, I’m sorry for you. I’m sorry you didn’t feel strongly enough to keep up the progress Greeks have made against negative stereotypes. I also have a very hard time believing the chapter descriptions, written by two fraternity brothers, weren’t doctored up at all to fit their personal perceptions.

And if you take out the Greek section of the Purple Book, you have…well, still a pile of garbage. Some of the content has the potential to be funny, but I’m not sure how many of even the pot smokers would want to sink their pipes into “Top Ten Places to have a Psychedelic Expirience [sic]” or “How to Get a 4.0 while remaining a pothead.”

Now comes the part where you wonder why I care so much if I’m not even on campus any more. As a peer adviser and then a two-year board member for Wildcat Welcome, I dedicated three years to ensuring the safest, fairest and most rewarding orientation for the freshmen. The Facebook event page for the book bashes the Wildcat Welcome staff for sending an e-mail asking peer advisers to consider disassociating themselves with the book. “PAs are no longer allowed to give honest opinions,” it reads. When I was a peer adviser, no one was stopping me from being honest with my freshmen. But there’s a difference between being honest and advocating a $20 piece of literary trash.

As a Medill graduate, I know plenty about freedom of speech. While we can’t stifle the Purple Book, we can oppose it. Don’t buy into it. But if you did make the same mistake I did and bought the book, take it with the biggest grain of salt. Northwestern is your fresh canvas. Don’t let someone else tell you how to paint it.

-Jenny Fukumoto, Medill ‘09

The next lady who asked me about my belonging was apparently doing an interview in the building and asked if I was there for the interview. I told her no, and that was that.

The third person who approached me was very much racially profiling. He, I assumed, was contacted by the first lady who approached and was told to follow me around. We had a five-minute conversation as to why I should (or shouldn’t) be walking around the building. The tone of his voice and the language his used seemed to suggest that he were asking me questions due to my race. I asked him if he stops everyone in the building and interrogates them. I also told him I was a student. He shrugged me off and gave me the same suspicious look that I received from his colleague. Had he asked for my identification card, he would have proved himself wrong. Instead he decided that there is no way this black boy dressed in baggy clothing could attend a school like this.

I was so offended and got tired of being interrogated that I walked out of the building. Not five minutes later, I was stopped by a Northwestern police officer who then called an Evanston detective for backup. He interrogated me and I simply ignored him and handed him my identification. He actually called it in to see if it was a stolen Northwestern ID card or if it was fake. I told him he was participating in an act of racial profiling. He explained he was just doing his job.

I decided to come to Northwestern my sophomore year of high school. It was my dream school. What a nightmare it has been in regards to experiences such as the above. The amount of racial profiling that goes on in Evanston, and specifically at Northwestern, is disgusting. Students are students, no matter what their appearance is, especially in terms of race. I’d like to be treated like all other students and I should not regret coming here based on these circumstances. I doubt that I will recommend Northwestern to many of the young black students who I come in contact with. The “prestigious” education is not worth the dehumanizing environment, especially when this comes from faculty at the school. It is sad that I have to deal with the b.s. just to get a B.S.

-Joshua Williams, Communication junior

I am writing with regard to Mugsie Pike’s recent editorial about housing options for gender-variant students. I am a transsexual student who lives off-campus. I’m not trying to give anyone a sob story here, but I left high school at age 17 unwilling to even consider returning to school again. One of the most squarely unappealing things to me about seeking higher education was dealing with the issue of gender-segregated housing, as well as gendered bathrooms and the regular gender discrimination and harassment that I receive as an out transsexual.

What do I mean by “out transsexual”? In my case, I mean you have probably seen me on campus and wondered whether I am a boy or a girl. You have probably looked me up and down in a bathroom, or been uncomfortable as you tried to figure out what my anatomy is. Forced to choose, you would probably not know whether to put me in a men’s dorm or a women’s dorm — and I think we’d agree that it would be easier if I didn’t have to choose, and I could simply share space with other human beings! That is the real-life situation that Mugsie Pike is talking about.

I waited five years to go to college, and I am lucky to have had the financial privilege and family support to make that decision. I consider myself an exception, as most transgender people I know regularly struggle to access education, housing, and jobs. Policies such as Northwestern’s that refuse to accommodate gender-variant students are absolutely discriminatory and ultimately have the effect of pushing transgender students out of higher education. This is real life stuff, Northwestern; we are real people. I hope the administration decides to get some common sense and abide by its own non-discrimination policy.

Lewis Wallace
Weinberg junior

It has been my pleasure to serve the students of this university this past year as the vice president of the Associated Student Government. Being able to serve as the vice president has been a privilege and indeed something I will never forget.

In these past weeks, I ran for ASG president. I ran for president for many reasons, among them increasing efficiency in ASG, better helping student groups attain proper representation, but most importantly, I ran because I felt that ASG can be a body that really does help students on a day-to-day basis. The Associated Student Government has long been plagued with a negative image on campus, and in some respects it deserves this image. It does do things, however, and let me tell you that having served as ASG vice president this past year, the body can do a tremendous amount of good for students; often, though, this power, if I may call it that, is underutilized.

The recent election was a great chance to inform students that ASG can make a difference. More than half of the student body voted in this election. I want to wish our newly elected ASG President Mike McGee, along with Thomas Smithburg, the ASG vice president-elect, my sincere best wishes. I hope that Mike and his team can carry out ASG’s mission statement and indeed positively affect the daily lives of Northwestern students. Mike has a long record of commitment to the university, and I look forward to his success as ASG president.

The recent event involving Mr. Safdari was disappointing. I hope that the Associated Student Government will set safeguards in place to ensure that its officers (or newly elected officers) exemplify the principles the organization sets forth. I would also encourage the Associated Student Government to set up safeguards to ensure that incidences like last week’s email do not occur again. Every one of us makes mistakes, but when holding an elected office, one has a responsibility to not act simply on impulses.

I want to close by speaking directly to students. The Associated Student Government can and should do much for you. Often, though, the leadership does not carry out its mission properly by wrapping itself up in bureaucracy, which then leads to an overwhelming amount of inefficiency. I want to sincerely wish our new ASG president and his team the best of luck in this coming year, and I look forward to hearing of their success.

Sincerely,
Bill Pulte
Current ASG Vice-President
ASG Presidential Candidate

Everyone receiving the e-mail from me was a Mike supporter already, and this e-mail was not supposed to sway a single vote — it was just an outlet for me in the middle of a difficult and hectic campaign. I was also trying to recruit some of these friends to go door to door for Mike either on- or off-campus, the latter which I referred to as “guerilla tactics” in jest. I do not believe my stupidity changed the outcome of the election, as I believe Mike had the more traditional voters who would vote twice, that the joining of multiple campaign teams created an impressive ground force and any controversial tactics were dropped by the campaigns in the run-off.

On their face, the charges put forth against me at various times by various people don’t make sense. I didn’t commit slander — I have never publically said a negative word about anyone on this campus. I didn’t commit libel — I never published or asked that the e-mail be published and there wasn’t any malicious intent to hurt anyone. If anything, I was trying to make my friends laugh. Any real friend of mine on Bill and Pat’s campaign already understand the true tone of my e-mail and are able to laugh at me, the e-mail, and my stupidity as well. Other campaigns had off-color emails, texts, or conversations about Mike, me and others. These are each funny in their own circles and get us through long campaigns.

Still, I unintentionally caused Bill, Pat and their friends and supporters undeserved harm. I have tried to reach out to several of them repeatedly and at times in tears, but not all of them will respond or accept my heartfelt apology for my blunder. I will always be there now and in the future to have a civil conversation owning up to my shortcomings and emphasizing that nothing coming out of me was ever meant to be personal.

Of course, any attempts to remove me from office have nothing to do with my qualifications to get things done in my new capacity. I don’t doubt that these measures are being pushed by loyal friends of Bill and Pat who have the best intentions, but I wish we could move forward in a more productive way. I have already met with administration, student leaders and the ASG Academic Committee in the hopes of getting back to work on the issues that matter to the Northwestern community.

Gender Protection Initiative, the group that was lobbying to change the policy, was also trying to secure gender-neutral housing options on campus, which more than 700 students supported. This option would have reserved one wing of one dorm for students who wished to be assigned roommates regardless of gender. This proposal was just rejected by University Housing, accompanied by a letter saying the university already satisfactorily accommodates these students.

The University claims they handled this issue “without fanfare,” by placing students in suites or wings according to their legal sex, but in singles or with a specifically requested roommate. If the student has problems with those arrangements, Housing will “explore possible options.” Should a room in the living quarters of the student’s legal sex prove unsatisfactory, the student can move off-campus, as “anyone may live wherever they desire all four years at Northwestern.”

With all due respect, that is not sufficiently accommodating the students. While some gender-variant students have had neutral experiences, others have gone through downright traumatic years in student housing. Housing insensitively refuses to acknowledge that these students have been uncomfortable voicing their complaints, implying that their past silence has meant satisfaction. Now that they’re speaking up, Housing patronizes them by suggesting that the office knows what is best for them.

Though freshmen are not required to live on campus, it’s an important part of adjusting to college. Incoming gender-variant freshmen may not know any potential roommates or how to get good off-campus housing. New students without pre-established support networks are the most vulnerable part of the group we’re trying to protect.

If transgender students do live in dorms, demanding that a transsexual man, for example, use the women’s restroom is an insult to the trans man’s dignity and to the female students’ privacy. Everyone feels awkward at best, and unsafe at worst.

Housing’s response concludes by saying that the system is not worth fixing because this is not the most common issue. It’s no wonder that these situations have been rare when Northwestern refuses to put the framework into place to deal with them. A student in this minority deserves the same rights and protections as any other student. Moreover, there are many different kinds of students that might choose to take advantage of gender-neutral housing. Each student has the right to a good experience at this school, and providing gender-neutral housing is one step closer to ensuring this experience.

Lastly, it is obvious that not everyone may live wherever they desire all four years at Northwestern. Forcing students to move off campus is not a supportive or responsible option –- it amounts to saying student concerns don’t matter -– if you don’t like the policies as they are, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Mugsie Pike
Communication junior
President of the Gender Protection Initiative

ASG President — Mike McGee

The Coalition of Colors unanimously and elatedly endorses Mike McGee as Associated Student Government President. Although McGee and Pulte both have strong ideas, Mike’s extensive experiences and passions genuinely address the concerns of all student groups and the Northwestern undergraduate community. Mike’s understanding of the need for student involvement, full awareness of issues concerning our cultural communities and a realistic timeline of achieving his goals sets him apart from his opponents.

Both presidential candidates (Pulte and McGee) exhibit great passion and ambitious plans, yet we believe that Mike and Tommy have three critical features that Pulte and Dawson lack: outstanding records of accomplishments on ASG, great teamwork chemistry and a genuine connection with our communities. Although Pulte displayed great enthusiasm to being ASG president, unlike his running mate, he unfortunately seems to lack much understanding of the concerns of our communities. Moreover, Pulte’s limited awareness of issues outside of the black community, and McGee’s past commitments to each group affiliated with the Coalition of Colors, more easily proved him to be the best person for the job.

We did not meet with Luke Adams due to his lack of response to our invitation, essentially demonstrating where his commitment and interests lies.

Academic Director — Muhammad Safdari

The Coalition of Colors unanimously endorses Muhammad Safdari for Academic Director. We believe his experience working with ASG along with his display of a deep understanding of the concerns of and the need for actual collaborative work with students highlights what is often forgotten by ASG. His ideas pertaining to Blackboard and the development of an Islamic Studies program demonstrate his commitment to important student causes. Also, the initiative he displayed by meeting with University Career Services and the Northwestern Alumni Association further exhibits his desire to bring his campaign promises into immediate fruition.

Director of Student Life — Matt Bellassai

The Coalition of Colors unanimously endorses Matt Bellassai for Director of Student Life. Albeit Bellassai is a freshman, and so he has a unique zeal as a NU student, which we feel will give him an edge in the implementation of his campaign promises. We strongly appreciate his willingness to learn more about the concerns of cultural communities on issues such as minority enrollment and retention of minority students, as well as bettering the Northwestern student body’s understanding of diversity.

Mike McGee/Tommy Smithburg for President/Vice President

Progressive Alliance’s decision was difficult this year, as the two strongest tickets were running on very similar platforms. While both candidates possess an enormous amount of experience and capability, we feel that the Mike and Tommy platform represents a more encompassing approach to Student Government. Mike’s extensive experience within ASG combined with Tommy’s fresh perspective presents a united and balanced force. We recognize the qualifications of Bill, and the enormous amount of work that Pat has put into both his passions and student government; however, overall, the Mike and Tommy ticket is aligned with our priorities to a better extent.

As the students’ chief lobbyists to the administration, we expect that Mike and Tommy will make progressive issues a priority in their administration. In particular, we commend their commitment to diversity and civic engagement among students. We felt Mike’s completion of the undergraduate research Web site speaks to his ability to initiate and complete projects that are useful to the student body. We also feel that Tommy’s experience with alcohol reform this year will make him best able to enact these important changes in the upcoming year. However, we would like to see more focus on gender identity issues, as ASG will be an important ally as our member groups help Gender Protection Initiative lobby the administration for gender-neutral housing. We noticed that some of Mike’s ideas are tech-oriented; this is consistent with his past experience. However, we would like to ask him to focus on more tangible, physical projects in addition to his tech interests.

We would also like to address Bill and Pat’s ticket, which we felt was strong, but not as strong as Mike and Tommy’s platform. We thought that Bill’s focus on results was admirable, as well as warranted. Bill will get things done if in office; he has already done so as Vice President of ASG. However, we questioned why he hasn’t already tackled some of the progressive issues he outlined. Additionally, we felt his “top-down” approach was problematic for groups that are based in grassroots organizing and organic community growth. We acknowledged that his vice president, Pat, would balance some of these concerns out. Pat Dawson has shown commendable commitment to progressive groups on campus, and we have no doubt that he would represent the interests of Progressive Alliance well. In particular, we felt that Pat’s address of student group funding concerns and his proposed solutions, were much needed and very viable. We would be very interested in seeing these changes enacted in the future ASG administration.

Ultimately, Progressive Alliance voiced a majority consensus on an endorsement of Mike and Tommy, as we felt they were fellow travelers in progressive circles, and unanimous support of Pat Dawson, who we felt had great ideas, and the experience to enact them. We would also like to ask ASG to consider removing the “ticket” system of campaigning in the future, as we feel it does more harm than good for the student body.

Matt Bellassai for Director of Student Life

The Progressive Alliance endorses Matt Bellassai in his uncontested campaign for Student Life Director. We are impressed by Matt’s extensive involvement as a freshman, and feel his ascension to Student Life Director would represent a natural progression of the leadership he has shown during his first year on campus. While we hope to see Matt develop a deeper understanding of the issues important to progressive student groups, he has shown a willingness to take the extra step in reaching out to students, as demonstrated by his vigorous campaigning despite a lack of opposition and the uniquely interactive nature of his campaign website. We look forward to working with Matt to advance the interests of our organizations in the coming year.

Mo Safdari for Academic Director

Progressive Alliance endorses Mo Safdari for ASG Academic Director. He has specific ideas for improving the academic experience at Northwestern and is not afraid to challenge the administration. Among the causes he intends to work on are making sure popular professors keep their jobs and offering more “green” classes at NU. Our only concern is his lack of knowledge on gender issues, but he has expressed a desire to learn about them.

After answering various questions concerning student group funding, student sustainability and the improvement of student life, I must admit that I was impressed with all of their presentations. However, it came as a shock that the majority consensus chose to support Mike McGee as our preferred candidate. While I must respect the recommendation of the Progressive Alliance, I personally believe that this nomination was ill-founded and as a member of the Progressive Alliance with different viewpoints on this issue, I must voice my support for Bill Pulte and Patrick Dawson over Mike McGee and Tommy Smithburg.

What distinguish the two candidates in my mind are the differences in involvement and commitment that the two nominees have shown to me, both as a student and Co-President of the Rainbow Alliance. While Patrick has always been a very strong supporter of the LGBT community within ASG for the past three years, Bill made it a point to reach out and discuss his candidacy with Rainbow Alliance, giving general members a chance to understand and question his vision for the student body.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Mike McGee, who has not expressed interest in involvement as far as Rainbow Alliance is concerned. Furthermore, I know that this is the case for other members of the Progressive Alliance as well. I find it disheartening that such a collection of student groups would endorse a candidate who has not taken the time to get acquainted with the various concerns raised by these members of the student population.

Throughout the debates, Bill made it very clear that his campaign emphasizes results from a student government that must work in tandem with Northwestern’s administration to appropriately represent our student body, and his work as the former ASG Vice President presented a very impressive precedent for his future goals. However, I did not hear such tangible accomplishments from either of the other two candidates, which gives little hope to see decisive action in their platforms.

Furthermore, it must be noted that Patrick Dawson received unanimous approval from every member of the Progressive Alliance as the candidate most able to understand and represent the needs of the attending student groups. Such an unprecedented consensus on one individual must be taken into account when deciding the support for a particular candidate, yet this seemed to have been dismissed from the final ruling.

As an ultimate decision for endorsement, I feel that the Progressive Alliance made a hasty and poorly thought-out choice. As an attending member of these debates, I wonder what different platform was presented that I must have failed to hear since it is clear with whom our support must lie. Bill Pulte and Patrick Dawson have proven their dedication and commitment to student representation and I must encourage every one of you to research these candidates on all you can to understand the facts behind the various endorsements that you will hear. Bill and Patrick have both shown their support for a group of students that I care deeply about, as well as for our entire campus, and I would not have written this letter if I thought otherwise. All I can ask is that you discuss these issues with your friends and understand the visions, positions, and backgrounds of each candidate before casting your vote this coming Wednesday in order to truly take advantage of the dedicated students that await your approval as representatives.

Sincerely,
William Pearse
Weinberg junior
Co-President, Rainbow Alliance