Bjnemp (anonymous) says...

Just curious: does ESU have a White Women's Network, or would that offend Reverends Jackson and Sharpton and bring a plague of protests and marches upon our community? I only ask because it seems to me that having a "black" or "white" anything in a school or college seems racially divisive, discriminatory, and downright racist. Maybe I'm wrong, but it sure appeared that way back in the 1950s and 60s when "white proms" were held and there were "white only" sections in the high school cafeteria. Isn't this just the same wrong, reversed?

April 24, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Deepthoughts (anonymous) says...

BJ - I was thinking the same thing.

April 25, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

LilJHawkFan (anonymous) says...

If someone wants to start an organization at ESU, all they have to do is turn in the paperwork to the CSI office. That is what was done to start the Black Womens group, so there is no reason that someone can't start a White Women's group.

April 25, 2008 at 10:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

EsqEB (anonymous) says...

I know at EHS there are several race based organizations and many years ago students tried to start a Caucasian Pride Club and were told no by the administration.

April 25, 2008 at 11:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Penny (anonymous) says...

Black Women's Network would only be racist if they limited their membership to black students, which they don't. Unlike the "white only" groups of the 50's and 60's. I've been to their meetings, it's an awesome group who is supportive of all students of any race or gender.

April 25, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

EsqEB (anonymous) says...

You are open to all races but from the get go your name excludes and suggests to other races they should not join. It is de facto discrimination on the part of the group

April 25, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Penny (anonymous) says...

Well good grief!
There are a lot of Recognized Student Organizations on campus, many of them have race or religion or gender identifiers as part of their name. HALO (Hispanic American Leadership Organization) Chinese Student Organization, Didde Catholic Campus Center, Campus Crusade for Christ, Arabic Language and Culture Club. The only thing that is not allowed is that their mission cannot be discriminatory and they have to be open to any student. I don't know that caucasian students feel the need to have a group that supports their unique experience as a white person on campus but if they do, they should put together a group.

BTW, I'm not a member of any student organization.

April 25, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Bjnemp (anonymous) says...

Saying it is okay to have a "Black Women's network" on campus because white women are welcome to join is like having a "Tall, Thin, Muscular Men's Network" and saying short fat boys are welcome to join. C'mon. It's racially divisive and discriminatory and if the organization was "white" it would be labeled as racist. It just seems unwise to distinguish black students from white students. Shouldn't they all be just Emporia State University students?

April 25, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

UsayULoveGod (anonymous) says...

If Emporia State was a majority Black University it would be good for them to have a White Student Union!

April 25, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

UsayULoveGod (anonymous) says...

It's a way for them to stay connected and have something for them in a society of the White majority.

April 25, 2008 at 6 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Bjnemp (anonymous) says...

Unbelievable, Usay!! Never have I read a more racist and prejudiced response than yours! "A way for THEM to stay connected"? "Have something for THEM in a society of the white majority"? Sounds like you are very much in favor of a segregated society where "they" can gather and function separate of "the white majority". I rest my case. Having a "black" or "white" anything on campus promotes racial divisiveness and stunts racial unity.

April 25, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Penny (anonymous) says...

Just to clarify: all Recognized Student Organizations on campus are organized by students, they are not clubs that ESU provides. Being entirely student driven and student paid, groups are formed when enough students see a common need and take the time and energy to find out how to become an organization. The organizations answer to ASG (Student Government). Many of the groups that have formed (like the Chinese Student Organization) do so to support each other in their common experience. Do you find the Chinese Student Organization racist also or just the Black Women's Network?

College students have always formed groups or clubs: sororities and fraternities, athletic groups, etc. So do adults for that matter, it's part of being a social creature.

April 26, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )