Essay 206

Not exactly sure how to react to this, but it’s an interesting read nonetheless. The event happened in Cleveland, and the story below appeared in The Plain Dealer.

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Lesson on prejudice gets mixed response
Exhibit causes shock, second thoughts, apathy

Saturday, October 29, 2005

Ellen Jan Kleinerman
Plain Dealer Reporter

Some St. Ignatius students were stunned while others giggled during their first look at the high school’s power-of-words art exhibit — laced with ethnic, sexual and racial slurs. But students at the Catholic boys school said this week that the display ignited frank discussions about prejudice.

“Honkie,” “Grease Monkey,” “Slut,” “Retard” and the “n-word” were displayed on signs in the Atrium along with words like “Love” and “Honey.” In the back was a large sign that read “Cockroach,” a term used to demean members of the Tutsi tribe in Rwanda.

The five-day exhibit opened at the Cleveland school on Oct. 17, several days after Paul Rusesabagina, the inspiration for the movie “Hotel Rwanda,” spoke on campus about genocide in his country and the responsibility of each person to stop prejudice. An in-class discussion and all-school debate followed Thursday.

The goal was to demonstrate how words perpetuate racism, sexism and other prejudice. Though some students argued the surprise was part of the design, others interviewed by The Plain Dealer said they should have been better prepared for the exhibit.

Senior Justin Morrow, who is black, said initially that he was shocked, hurt and angered. “It was kind of sprung on us,” the 18-year-old said.

He was so uncomfortable with signs like “Porch Monkey” that he avoided the Atrium. After class discussions, he said he now supports the exhibit because “it’s a good idea to openly talk about prejudice.”

Connor Flanagan, 16, said hearing personal stories from people who have experienced prejudice is a much more effective way to fight prejudice.

But Jaime DeVore, 18, who is multiracial, said the exhibit “was ridiculous and unnecessary” and didn’t give students enough credit for knowing the impact of taboo words.

Everyone knows that teenagers joke around and use words like “bitch” or “slut” or call each other names like “gay” or “retard,” other students said.

“Society is so jaded to some words. They become cutesy,” said Vasyl Rabosyuk, 16. The exhibit made him realize that words can hurt a “third party” who may overhear a conversation.

Kellen Krause, 17, said artwork in the display exaggerated stereotypes, like “Red Neck” written over a drawing of a person with a sunburned neck. “It was so ludicrous that you had to know it wasn’t true.”

As shocking as the exhibit was to some, Luke Krevh, 17, wondered about its lasting effect. “Some people are in a routine and don’t even know they use those words. After a few weeks, everyone could forget.”

Still, Luke and Connor agreed that students must make a commitment not to use offensive words and object when others do.

Luke added: “The more you hear, the more it’s drilled in your head, the more you realize that it’s wrong and hurtful.”

History teacher Tim Evans said the events are part of a five-year plan to raise awareness about prejudice. About 10 percent of the school’s students are minorities.

© 2005 The Plain Dealer
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