N*gger, wetb*ck, ch*nk.
These are three words of meaning and 18 letters of hatred.
It is also a national show starring three minority males that use theater, hip-hop, stand-up comedy, slam poetry and true-life stories with their own original style to take on racial boundaries that define everyone.
Auburn University was host to this critically acclaimed stage production Oct.17.
Auburn’s Multicultural Center brought the show to Foy Ballroom for students and faculty to enjoy.
“With (Auburn) having a very diverse student body, and I mean that geographically, I thought it would be important to bring a topic like that of racism and the issue of stereotypes,” Juanyce Taylor, director of the Multicultural Center, said. “(Stereotypes) occur all over the world they’re not just specific to one place, but Auburn needs to be involved in programs like that only because they explore some of the issues that Auburn has been hesitant to address.”
An estimated 450 people attended the show and Taylor said the feedback from the show was 100 percent positive.
“Diversity encompasses a whole lot: cultural identity, there’s gender issues, there’s sexuality issues, there’s religious issues, spiritual issues, race relation, you know all people are different and people need to realize what is offensive to others,” Taylor said. “So you have to have common ground, especially in school settings. So I think the ultimate goal is to bring programs that are academically and culturally focused that touch primarily on culturally sensitive issues.”
The show was 95-minutes of non-stop racial slurs and curse words, but the theme was clear. The actors used the vulgarity to unite and share experience with racism, and eventually the words themselves lose power.
A reception complete with food was held in the lobby before the show.
The theme of acceptance and understanding was applied to food choices as well.
“We try to make sure we have vegetables and entrees for vegetarians for people who don’t eat meat,” Taylor said. “You know we have to be culturally sensitive to our Indian and our Muslim populations who may not eat pork or meat.”
Auburn’s Multicultural Center also hosted a discussion session on cross-cultural communication Oct. 18.
Department of Communication and Journalism assistant professor Kristen Hoerl led the discussion.
“I think that one of the students who spoke up put it well that it was an area in which people feel uncomfortable talking about, even though racial discrimination stereotypes are alive and well people don’t want to be perceived as making racist comments,” Hoerl said. “So, we’re not used to talking about how they get enacted in our language especially in the classroom or in a classroom setting.”
The discussion was attended by 25 people, which was a drastic reduction compared to the show turnout.
“I think one of the great things about the program the night before was that it was cast in terms of a performance that was engaging and lively and in many ways was also entertaining,” Hoerl said. “It was enjoyable and people hate to be preached at. The form for the discussion later on was that it was in a classroom setting that was more structured.”
Both Taylor and Hoerl said they believe the standard for diversity should come from officials at Auburn.
“I think teachers should encourage students to become involved in discussions like this,” Hoerl said. “I think on top of that they need to just be seen as areas of discussion so that it’s not just teachers and instructors telling students what to think about issues related to diversity and discrimination but that people talk about how they in fact engage that in their lives. I think that the University also needs to demonstrate the commitment to diversity on a broader level too.”
Taylor said the Multicultural Center has upcoming events to further the topic and its discussion, including a Multicultural Education Workshop Series being held today in Foy 217 from 2 p.m.- 4 p.m.
October 24, 2007 - 6:24pm
Seriously? Auburn, diverse?
Are you kidding me? Diverse. Auburn is a white, christian university. I WISH I could proudly say that Auburn was diverse.October 24, 2007 - 7:35pm
Cry more about it
Cry more about itOctober 26, 2007 - 1:12pm
Great Title
Made me remove the Auburn Plainsman Feed from my local AU club webpage. I know this is just journalism and that people (like the one above) cry about being edgy and diverse, but the last thing I need on my page is "n*gger wetb*ck ch*nk". So, sorry, I would love to keep the AU Newspaper at the forefront of my site but the last few weeks of articles have obviously ended that dream.October 28, 2007 - 3:45pm
Hmmmm...
The first comment was correct in saying that Auburn University is largely a Christian, Conservative (very conservative), university. Most of the staff I have had were very conservative in their views and most of the student body appear to be as well - I don't feel as if there is a lot of room for argument on that fact.
The second comment is one that really disturbs me because it is exactly what I would expect from someone of Auburn's mightly majority. You my friend, are as as*hole. Only someone like you, who obviously fits into the majority's idea of what is "right" would make a comment like that. Try being a n*gger, wetb*ack, ch*nk, or even worse a fagg*t for a day and tell me how much you would like to cry about it!!! My point - until you are on the outside of the "norm" you should all try to be a little more understanding of those who are. It's not like we have a choice of being a gay, or black, or asian - we just are, and being so does not immediately make us bad people. Get to know some of us, you will probably be surprised to find out just how "normal" we are.
October 28, 2007 - 3:47pm
Being an outsider....
The first comment was correct in saying that Auburn University is largely a Christian, Conservative (very conservative), university. Most of the staff I have had were very conservative in their views and most of the student body appear to be as well - I don't feel as if there is a lot of room for argument on that fact.
The second comment is one that really disturbs me because it is exactly what I would expect from someone of Auburn's mightly majority. You my friend, are as as*hole. Only someone like you, who obviously fits into the majority's idea of what is "right" would make a comment like that. Try being a n*gger, wetb*ack, ch*nk, or even worse a fagg*t for a day and tell me how much you would like to cry about it!!! My point - until you are on the outside of the "norm" you should all try to be a little more understanding of those who are. It's not like we have a choice of being a gay, or black, or asian - we just are, and being so does not immediately make us bad people. Get to know some of us, you will probably be surprised to find out just how "normal" we are.
October 29, 2007 - 9:12am
Very nice
We're all accepting of whoeverr you are or want to be. The first comment was against the people of Auburn University, the 2nd comment told the 1st one to shut up about it. The 4th comment, dogging the 2nd one, is uninformed and probably feels some sense of entitlement. Get off your high horse, live your life, and if you don't like the diversity of Auburn then find somewhere that will make you happier. After a while, the problem is you rather than what makes you so angry. Get off your a$$ and do something to make your life better.October 29, 2007 - 4:43pm
I agree with you!! I do
I agree with you!! I do think racism is a problem not just in Auburn, but everywhere!! Auburn is in the South and yes, it is basically conservative. that doesn't excuse the problems it may have with racism, but being of another culture, we just have to deal with it. if you don't like it here, no one is forcing you to stay!! Either deal with the way this school is and be proud to be here or stop complaining and go to another university! Its just that simple dont sit around and whine just to whine!! "Believe in Auburn and Love it," or find a college that you can love!!