The Michigan Union has always promoted itself as a center of activity for students, hosting to many different student groups every day. But the Union staff does not treat all these groups equally. For the past 10 years, functions for minority students have been subject to racist policies. For instance, events targeting specifically black or Latino/a students have been monitored with a much stronger police presence than those dominated by white students. In addition, these students are often subjected to wristband and ID verification and sometimes have to leave via the side door rather than the front. At a Michigan Student Assembly meeting last Tuesday, Vice President for Student Affairs E. Royster Harper admitted the Union's policies will change.
While there is a strong police presence at black and Latino/a events, Department of Public Safety officers did not attend non-minority events such as Michigras. This treatment is clearly discriminatory. There is no good reason for black and Latino/a events to merit special attention from DPS. A policy somewhat similar to the racial profiling used by police departments across the nation. If security at Union events is such a pressing concern, why are only black and Latino/a events singled out? Why not increase security at all student functions?
There is no reason a large group of black and Latino/a students would present more of a problem than a comparable group of students from all races. All student groups should be given equal treatment at Union events.
The University claims one of its ideals is diversity, a goal it has lauded a great deal in recent years, particularly in light of the lawsuit challenging its use of affirmative action. And indeed the University has done a great deal to preserve campus diversity, as it demonstrates in its defense of its admissions policies. But simply having students of many different racial and ethnic backgrounds is not enough in itself. The University must ensure all of its students feel welcome on campus, and that means discriminatory policies that single-out minorities cannot continue. The Union's handling of minority events is beneath the University.
Today, the organization Law Students for Affirmative Action are encouraging a boycott of the Union, along with a protest at noon. University students of all races should join in this effort to send a message and make their voices heard. The University should be a place that treats all of its students fairly, regardless of race. This isn't something we should even have to worry about - in this age of liberalism and diversity. But sadly, it is. While racial profiling has made headlines nationwide, this time it hits close to home.
Boycott the Union's services today to make a statement on racial discrimination.
11-22-99
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