Freshman communication major Olivia Harden was walking across the Piazza when she stopped to talk to others she knew. A few complimented Olivia on her outfit and her hair, when one said, “You’re so pretty for a black girl.”
Yep. Right here at Chapman University, 2016.
Minority students say those comments are not at all uncommon. Racism here may not be as blatant as barring someone from a club because of skin color, but Harden says these kinds of comments born of ignorance undermine Chapman’s goal of promoting itself as a diverse university welcoming people of all ethnic backgrounds.
Minorities make up about 37% of Chapman’s student population. While that’s not out of line with the Caucasian dominance of the surrounding Orange community, students point out that within those numbers are low percentages of minorities who struggle for equal acceptance by the majority. (Black students, for example, make up just 1.4 percent of the student population.) Which is why Harden and other campus leaders believe it’s important to have bold, advocacy social organizations to emphasize awareness education for others.
“To be told I’m beautiful for a black girl says black isn’t pretty or desirable, said Harden, a freshman communication studies major. “We need to create awareness and open up a dialogue about these issues.”
Two groups on campus — the Black Student Union and the Asian Pacific Student Association — are designed to accomplish those goals. They’re an outlet for students to express their feelings about what they believe they have to face at Chapman.
Harden, secretary for the Black Student Union, noted:
“It’s nice to just discuss our feelings about the KKK rally, Beyonce’s Formation video, or the N word,” Harden said.
Though most members are black, its doors are open to all who are interested.
“Most people on campus just don’t join because they can’t relate, also I think that we’re seen as the black students on campus and I wonder if that scares people,” Harden said.
Harden thinks that stigma of fear affects the perceptions of the students within the BSU.
“A lot of stereotypes are placed on us because we’re seen as the bad minority. Asians are seen as the good minority because they’re seen as quiet and stuff, which is so problematic. We’re all just people,” Harden said.
Freshman journalism major Rebeccah Glaser, who is white, feels like such cultural clubs are an empowering space that feels safe to its members.
“Since Chapman is about 60% white and we’re in Orange County, which is very conservative, I would imagine that it’s probably wonderful to have a place where you can meet and discuss issues with other people who share your experience,” Glaser said. “I really appreciate and support their presence.”
Asian students make up a higher minority — about 10 percent — but they feel the sting of not-always subtle racism too.
Junior business administration major Daryl Zhao, a member of the Asian Pacific group, said coming to Chapman from the Bay area was like reverse culture shock.
“There’s a lot of ignorance around here. People aren’t actively trying to expose and educate themselves about other cultures,” said Zhao.
Max Chang, a freshman honors student majoring in public relations and advertising, has experienced stereotyping.
“At a stats class I took last semester, I had a doubt about a math problem, and someone was like ‘How do you not understand that?’ Just because I’m Asian, they assume I’m into math,” Chang said.
Other students also feel that there is even cultural insensitivity within the classroom.
“Understanding diversity in curriculum is important. Science is anglo-centric and problematic. Japanese internment was a thing,” said freshman Asato. “The Holocaust was a thing. And Manifest Destiny, well that’s just [wrong.] I just feel like a lot of people don’t understand that here though, especially in the classroom.”
The Asian Pacific Student Association allows non-Asian students, but it’s not encouraged. That’s because members see themselves as a social group and not just one for student advocacy.
Junior film production major Farrah Su, who is co-chair of the group, gave an example:
“We were just making rice the other day and something as simple as Kyler saying pass the Shoyu as opposed to calling it soy sauce, makes all the difference. That’s just something that would be hard to do with more white people around,” said Su.
Journalist Glaser supports that attitude:
“I could definitely learn a lot from attending meetings, but I want to ensure that the clubs remain a safe space for the people they were intended for,” Glaser said.