With all that occurs in a student’s life, it is understandable that some components of campus life may be missed. Once a month, in the Landing at the Nest, students and faculty meet and openly and safely discuss topics affecting them today. With signs placed all across campus, the blunt, yet caring, nature of Hot Topics Café always keeps me coming back for more. On Feb. 10, students and faculty joined together to “check [their] privilege.”
When you hear the word “privilege,” what comes to mind? Walking into the Landing, I was warmly welcomed to take a seat at one of the tables where I could join others excited for the discussion. As I looked around the room, I spotted many resident assistants, student government members and friends. Already possessing an understanding of the night’s topic, I was truly afraid the issue may be too much for many to handle. Leading the discussion was residential education coordinator Christin LeJeune, who perfectly explained privilege to the room as “an advantage you have in society that you did not earn, did not ask for, but just kind of had.” As an African American queer woman, I have already grown to identify privileges I lacked, but I recognize others may have never known such truths. Just like a scene from “Freedom Writers,” we were invited to line up at the center of the room, stepping either forwards or backwards in response to whatever LeJeune had to say.
During an activity, we grouped together based on statements ranging from “if there were more than 50 books in your house” to “if you have ever been a victim of violence based on race, gender, sexuality or ethnicity.” We all either laughed or silently stood at different points of the room. At the end of the activity, LeJeune asked us all to look where we stood and respond if we were surprised to see where we existed on the scale of privilege. All of the statements made in the activity were meant to help the audience recognize the issues they never consider. I never had to think about the many books in my house or worry about parents working extreme hours to provide for me. And many others around me were left feeling the same way. This dark feeling where we all recognized the struggles of others was us recognizing our privilege. Chief diversity officer of the Diversity and Multicultural Affairs office, Timothy Spraggins, began the panel discussions by saying “very few people set out to harm others with their privilege.”
Privilege does not stop at race. It can carry on through social class, sexuality, ableism and much more. The topics that followed were discussed by associate professor of the College of Education, Dr. Paul Hard, as well as Dr. Nicole Thompson and Spraggins. Possessing an abundant amount of education and knowledge, they were all happy to leave their audience with something to think about.
Discussing race privileges, sexuality privileges and social class privileges, the event made all appreciate what they had and gave people perspective to not discredit or be cruel to those who do not face the same advantages in life. Often I find myself attending speeches that can only be heard rather than interacted with. The panel leaders could’ve continued discussing race, social class and sexuality for hours, but it wouldn’t have touched the audience if not for the safe opportunity to share personal experiences.
There are many issues which are not openly discussed enough, yet Hot Topics Café finds that time to let people address them. Leaving the event, I could see the panel left everyone feeling more humbled than when they first arrived. It is entirely possible to humbly handle privileges. For example, although as a female I may not have the privilege of feeling safe walking alone at night, at least I am privileged enough to pursue a degree at a university. This does not mean there is no issue with privilege, however, because upon recognizing privilege one should refuse to ignore its presence and do something about it. One cannot conquer all of society’s issues alone, but by all means it is important to push for change. Whether it involves giving those with disabilities first use of elevators or resisting judgment those who can’t afford higher education; doing something is better than ignoring the struggles of others.
Hot Topics Cafe deserves more than an article; they deserve an abundant amount of student love. While topics discussed may bring discomfort, growth cannot occur without such discomforts. Hot Topics is not a place to be feared, for they ask all students to come as they are and speak freely. Every cafe begins with the acknowledgement that the cafe is a safe location and any who violate that are immediately dismissed from the event. Without delay, I would like to invite everyone to the next Hot Topics Cafe: “Asking for It,” at 6:30 pm, March 23rd, at the Landing. As a campus wide discussion on dating, sex and consent, I can only hope to see you there!
By Chiomma Hall
