Letter to the Editor:

Four Front seeks unification, not education

By Yantézia Patrick, Four Front co-chairwoman

Published March 9, 2010

In response to Mr. Paul's comments about Four Front Minority Presidents Council, I must say that nowhere in Four Front's mission does it state nor does it even suggest that Four Front exist to educate "non-minority" students about diversity issues. Four Front's Mission Statement is as follows: "Whereas underrepresented students at the University of Missouri-Columbia encounter unique experiences, issues, and concerns, the PURPOSE of the Four Front organization is to act as the true voice of the MINORITY STUDENT. In an effort to unify students of the University of Missouri and act as an ally to administration, the Four Front membership shall serve as the representative body of underrepresented students in order to address issues pertinent to the member organization of Four Front and the greater student body as a whole."

By default, many of our programs and the programs of our umbrella organizations do address diversity issues. However, our mission is to be unifying and foster a good climate for all students as it relates to non-minority students. By proxy, our organizations often act as agents to educate all students on the issues thereof. Furthermore, there are a plethora of opportunities to educate one's self about minority issues. For example, Black Greek Life has programming such as the Black Man's Think Tank and the BCC and Black Studies Department has a variety of Black History Month Programming. Four Front just invited Dr. Pewewardy to address the cultural appropriation of Native American culture as it pertains to the use of Native American mascots in sports. The LGBTQ Resource Center and the Triangle Coalition has an entire Pride Month devoted to education and celebration of the LGBTQ community. Additionally, Four Front acts to fund such events through the diversity fee, which is crucial in maintaining the representation of minority communities at MU.

Personally, I find it ignorant to think that after constantly navigating a white and predominantly heterosexual world, while simultaneously attempting to maintain some sense of our own cultures and traditions, it is the job of minorities to make non-minorities feel comfortable and understand their issues — issues historically created by non-minorities. It is also just rude to act as if those minorities are in the wrong for wanting a place to celebrate their culture, beliefs, and identities free from the judgment of the majority as they see fit.

Do not put the ignorance of non-minorities on the backs of minority student leadership. Groups like LBC, Four Front as a whole, Triangle Coalition, JSO, MSO, HALO, AAA, and all of our umbrella orgs have worked tirelessly to unite this campus on various fronts. Perhaps the issue is in the university's curriculum and its poor efforts in fostering that dialogue, not minority student leadership. Hence, the necessity of a diversity course which has been a process as slower than molasses. Also, am I the only one who has heard of Diversity Peer EDUCATORS? Every student org, especially student governments and councils, should know them and utilize them. You can receive their services THROUGH the Multicultural Center. You know, the center that doesn't offer enough programming. I beseech all students to look into the programming that is available and how it does serve to educate MU students and most importantly facilitate such dialogues.

If anyone was it to blame for the ignorant display that took place outside of the BCC, it is society, which includes these so called "higher institutions of learning," including MU, which have for so long brushed what many are calling "isolated incidents" under the rug. Also, just like other MU letters I've received this week, Mr. Paul's column served to do nothing further but perpetuate the very premise on which racism, bigotry, and oppression lay. Creating this hierarchy of civic duty to diversity is problematic and ignorant. It serves to divide what MU administrators called for at Monday's town hall — unity.