Spring Break
An open letter to my white LGBT siblings
Michael Faris
Issue date: 6/4/08 Section: Forum
This letter will be angry. I won't apologize for any vitriol or confrontation here. I don't believe that we can have honest public discussions without being confrontational.
My anger comes from hearing, with dismay, about a party last weekend themed "Cowboys and Indians."
I don't know a lot about this party, other than it was hosted by a visibly white student at OSU who identifies as gay. I don't know a lot about who attended this party other than the host, as well as a few people I recognized in Facebook pictures. I don't know whether the party was attended by mostly lesbian and gay students, mostly straight students, mostly white students or whom.
Frankly, I find that the party happened at all abhorrent. But I mention the host's sexuality because I am concerned with the connections between white gay identity and representations of minorities by white culture.
I believe that representations of people of color and of queer folk have a common grounding in a largely white, straight society that denies these communities their rights to self-determination.
I feel it is incumbent upon me to write this column. I could easily sit back and not express my public outrage at this party. I could easily move on and pretend this party and the racist images evoked there do not affect me.
But to wait for a person of color to express outrage at these actions is to deny my responsibility as a white person to combat racism. It is to put the burden (again and again!) on people of color to educate white people.
Yes, I used the term "racist." Yes, I believe that for a white person to host a party themed "Cowboys and Indians" is racist.
This is because I believe there are two things that every group in this world should have the right to: dignity and self-determination.
And I believe that dressing up as "Indians" at a party harms a group of people's right to self-determination.
The self-determination of Native Americans has historically, and is still today, under assault. Look at the mainstream media and ask how are Native Americans represented.
My anger comes from hearing, with dismay, about a party last weekend themed "Cowboys and Indians."
I don't know a lot about this party, other than it was hosted by a visibly white student at OSU who identifies as gay. I don't know a lot about who attended this party other than the host, as well as a few people I recognized in Facebook pictures. I don't know whether the party was attended by mostly lesbian and gay students, mostly straight students, mostly white students or whom.
Frankly, I find that the party happened at all abhorrent. But I mention the host's sexuality because I am concerned with the connections between white gay identity and representations of minorities by white culture.
I believe that representations of people of color and of queer folk have a common grounding in a largely white, straight society that denies these communities their rights to self-determination.
I feel it is incumbent upon me to write this column. I could easily sit back and not express my public outrage at this party. I could easily move on and pretend this party and the racist images evoked there do not affect me.
But to wait for a person of color to express outrage at these actions is to deny my responsibility as a white person to combat racism. It is to put the burden (again and again!) on people of color to educate white people.
Yes, I used the term "racist." Yes, I believe that for a white person to host a party themed "Cowboys and Indians" is racist.
This is because I believe there are two things that every group in this world should have the right to: dignity and self-determination.
And I believe that dressing up as "Indians" at a party harms a group of people's right to self-determination.
The self-determination of Native Americans has historically, and is still today, under assault. Look at the mainstream media and ask how are Native Americans represented.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 31
Tyler
posted 6/04/08 @ 2:41 PM PST
I cannot believe that this letter was allowed to be printed by the barometer
masking hate mail with the premise of fighting rascism is sick...this letter is obviously an attack against the members of this party for no real reason
are cowboys across the nation "outraged" that they have been portrayed during this party? ropes, handguns, cowboy hats. (Continued…)
William
posted 6/04/08 @ 4:18 PM PST
As a gay student I'm completely offended by the barometers lack of integrity and investigative reporting. This paper has demonized an individual student who is native american himself. (Continued…)
Jennifer
posted 6/04/08 @ 8:10 PM PST
I was completely in shock and appalled when I saw this article in the Barometer today.
The person who wrote this article clearly does not have these facts straight. (Continued…)
Douglas
posted 6/04/08 @ 9:18 PM PST
Bravo to the Barometer and to this letter writer for highlighting was so often goes hidden. Everyone marginalized in this society must work together to ensure that everyone else who is marginalized is treated with dignity and respect. (Continued…)
Linnaea
posted 6/04/08 @ 9:25 PM PST
First off I think you should look up exactly who Michael Faris is before you go off and say that he's a homophobic man.
Second of all, it doesn't matter if the people at the party were of Native American descent or not. (Continued…)
James
posted 6/04/08 @ 9:27 PM PST
Take a look at this link...
http://oregonstate.edu/cla/english/faculty/faris
What is Michael Faris, a faculty member at Oregon State University, doing peeping a 19 year old's facebook page and writing a slanderous article about something he merely glimpsed online. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 6/04/08 @ 9:50 PM PST
OMG get a thicker skin. I am so sick of wimps being offended by everything. Are you serious Cowboys and Indians offends you. Get a life.
I could care less if your letter is full of vitriol. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
Craig Hawley
posted 6/04/08 @ 10:04 PM PST
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
Proud To Be White
Someone finally said it.
How many are actually paying attention to this?
There are African Americans,
Hispanic Americans,
Cuban Americans,
Mexican Americans,
Asian Americans,
Arab Americans,
Native Americans, etc. (Continued…)
Nunley
posted 6/04/08 @ 10:10 PM PST
The thing is, virtually no one would have even known about the party if this column hadn't been printed. Hence, the party is innocuous. Michael obviously has his opinion about it, but this kind of piffle has little or no effect on anybody. (Continued…)
Ryan Larson
posted 6/04/08 @ 10:52 PM PST
You're ridiculous. This party was not meant to be racist at all.
Go get off your ass and get a life.
Post a Comment
Comments by registered users are approved by default.