Susan it has gone out...rdc

-----Original Message-----
From: Paulson, Susan
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 1:36 PM
To: Coates, Rodney D. Dr.
Subject: Latin American stereotypes on Miami campus

Hello Rodney, would you be kind enough to circulate this message among Drum community members?

Dear colleagues in promoting intercultural respect,

I would like to share aspects of a discussion about the portrayal of Latinos/as on Miami's campus. In a recent campaign to advertise 2008 spring fest, posters, banners, sandwich boards and t-shirts appeared around campus and Oxford that conveyed the theme "Don't Siesta, Spring Fiesta" accompanied by an image of a dark skinned man in a sombrero slumped under a cactus (see attached photo). Some people were uncomfortable with the use of an image that has in many contexts represented a stereotypically lazy and/or drunken Mexican. Others emphasized that freedom of speech and expression protects the rights of all student organizations to convey their messages. Following I have excerpted some student and faculty perspectives on this incident, starting with a statement by leaders in the Campus Activities Council who, upon respectfully hearing concerns of fellow community members, made a strong decision to immediately remove the controversial image from their publicity.

Thanks for your concern about conversations that enrich life and learning at Miami.
Susan Paulson, Latin American Studies

***

As the Executive Chair of Campus Activities Council, I would like to express my apologies for the promotion regarding Springfest 2008.  My advisors forwarded me your email, and I, along with the incoming Executive Chair, would like to personally respond.  I appreciate you taking the time to comment on this insensitive and stereotypical advertising, and I can assure you that action has been taken.  We will be removing all advertising with this logo, and the Springfest members will no longer wear these shirts.  The co-chairs of Springfest feel deeply remorseful, and it was never their intent, nor ours, to insult anyone.

Again, please know that we feel terrible about the situation and are working hard to remedy it.


*****

I could see where they got that from. Probably on paint or a clip art on word. I see how it could seem appropriate. BUT, I clearly disagree with this because it shows that they didn't think of "the other side" of their advertisement. We are all encouraged to see things by different points of view, and always considering others. Being there are many other phrases and images that could have been used, I feel like a message that is being sent out is about "US SLEEPING". Even though this might sound like a vague statement directly taken from "dont siesta, spring fiesta," it brought up in my mind all the immigration issues we are having. People say Hispanics are coming here and taking "their" jobs away or not working. And all the false rumors that people talk about... subconsciously this image and phrase reinforce this. If it made ME think about it, I would be interested in the reaction of those who are against immigration. This is, knowing I AM an immigrant.

****

The Cuban American perspective is this: I think people need to chill out. The "siesta", after all, is normally a Latin American tradition. So if you're telling someone not to rest because of a festival, I don't think it is offensive to say that Latins take afternoon naps when the truth is that they do. People need to stop being so defensive. Thank you for taking opinions.

*****

Oh dear. It is inappropriate. They could have easily used a MU student napping on their desk or something else.

*****

No, I'm not ok with the stereotyping. This is one thing we are fighting. It's all about asking. In the last Locura Latina I knew the D.J and he called the day before the event telling me he had a Sombrero and he was wondering if it would be offensive to wear it during the event. I told him that, to my eyes, it wouldn't be but I would ask some people and let him know. It turns out that no one complained, people actually liked that he tried to get to know the music and get into it-he wasn't just "playing" the music.  And even if someone had complained and felt offended, just the fact that he asked and said he didn't want to make it offensive.
As I said, I could see both sides on this. It is hard.

*****

I would have to agree with the others who have expressed discomfort over the use of this image.  I just don't think it is appropriate for what it is being used for, and it does seem to reinforce the negative stereotypes that some people have about the Latin American identity that we are trying so hard to get rid of.

****

Could we set up a forum to discuss this with the group who made the signs?  I don't really know our options, but I support action.

*****

I am uncomfortable with this depiction.  I feel that the siesta is a very important cultural feature in many Latin American countries, and an essential part of daily life for many people.  This is not what I am most bothered by though, as they depict a siesta as a Mexican taking a nap under a cactus, as if we need to promote the idea of the lazy mexican napping during the day anymore here.  I am fine with the slogan but the depiction of what a siesta constitutes is NOT ok with me.

********

Several years ago, at an apple better festival there was a guy in a stand selling things alongside a large Confederate Flag flapping in the breeze from a flag stand adjacent to his booth. I talked to the gentleman and explained why this symbol is offensive. But I also told him that he had a right to display the flag under the First Amendment. After he did not accept my arguments against the flag, and thus refused to take it down, I then went to the organizer of the event. I told him that I too have a First Amendment right to stand in front of his booth and explain why this symbol is so problematic to so many in our culture. And I told the organizer that this is what I plan to do. Well, before I could get to the place to give my speech, the flag was being taken down at the behest of the organizer.. I guess I lost my chance to make a speech. Still, the moral of the story is that the best remedy to offensive speech is more speech.

Why not take this matter up with whoever owns the sign, and then indicate that your intention is to put up a booth near it, to explain to people why this symbol is offensive.

I tried to make a similar point with the noose incident, which I wrote about and posted in the Miami Report last December. We rely on open, free speech as the basis for advancing rational discourse, and ultimately as the basis for enabling people to make up their own minds, based on the best reasoning possible. So I say civil discourse all the way, the more the better, the better not just for developing judgment, but for expanding and protecting our freedom.

****

I write this afternoon concerning the logo used on the banner presently strung across Shriver, the posters on sandwich boards and the tee-shirt that CAC students are sporting.  Specifically, I am concerned about the depiction of the human figure slumbering next to a cactus under a sombrero.  This image, trading on stereotypes about Central Americans, is deeply problematic, especially given the larger context of our particular institutional demographics and our location in Butler County.

I am reminded of President Hodge's memo "On the noose incident" dated April 11. There, he stated:  "Intellectual engagement is maximized by embracing diverse and multifaceted points of view and life experiences in an environment that must be open and welcoming to all."

"There will be moments when our sense of community will be challenged, as in the case of this incident. We must not allow these incidents to divide us further, but rather, we must resolve to experience these events as critical learning opportunities. These are moments when we can, and must, discover more about who we are, our history, contemporary issues, and what we can do to create not only a better university, but a more just, a more inclusive, a more supportive world."

I very much long to teach at "a better university" that is more just, more inclusive and more supportive.

As a first year faculty person, I realize that I may be wading into deep and troubled waters.  Yet, I wonder what it would take to realize this personal and professional goal here at Miami?   And I wonder whether and how I may be helpful?  I wonder whether it may be appropriate to offer my services for training for student organizations in graphic communication and visual culture?

How might we use these opportunities -- ones that come with some frequency here on the Oxford campus - for a critical learning opportunity?

Thanks for your time and attention.  I appreciate your efforts and look forward to your reply.

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