LBC Homecoming raises controversy on campus

The Legion of Black Collegians has been hosting a Black Homecoming since the 1970s.

By Nassim Benchaabane

Published Oct. 11, 2011

Although they might not be meant to be separate, there are two homecomings at MU. The Alumni Association hosts one Homecoming celebration, and the Legion of Black Collegians and the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center hosts its own.

“I go to events from both homecomings,” LBC Black Homecoming Committee member Allie Bass said. “I don’t think it’s healthy to limit yourself to one. You should reach out. I do know people who only go to the black Homecoming though.”

Bass and LBC Homecoming chairwoman Micah Smith both said they have heard sentiments that some people do not feel as if they are a part of the Alumni Association’s Homecoming.

“I do agree, for the simple fact that I've never received an email, flyer or anything specifying what the general Homecoming's weeks activities are,” Smith said in an email. “I have however, received many emails, flyers and even invitations to Facebook groups when it comes to LBC events for Homecoming.”

Homecoming Steering Committee Executive Director Todd McCubbin said it’s the first time he’s heard of the conversation at the LBC meeting.

McCubbin said he reached out to the organization and LBC Vice President Kristen Andrews to keep communication on this issue open.

“I am LBC Homecoming chair this year, and I have not received any kind of communication from Mr. McCubbin,” Smith said.

Black Homecoming was first organized in the mid-1970s by LBC and reflected the social tensions of the time, when most minority students didn’t feel welcomed in the campus homecoming.

Both Bass and Smith provided personal criticisms of recent campus homecoming celebrations.

“Last year I think the slogan was about ‘Bringing Back Ole Mizzou,’” Bass said. “Personally, I don’t think that slogan was inclusive because ‘Ole Mizzou’ wasn’t completely inclusive.”

McCubbin said it was the first time he’d ever heard a criticism of last year’s homecoming slogan.

“I feel as if a lot of general homecomings activities are geared towards PHA and IFC,” Smith said. “I personally am not Greek, therefore am not a part of IFC or PHA. I recommend that instead of doing 'Greek' activities, each event should pertain to the entire campus.”

McCubbin said that all student organizations were welcome to enter the parade for no cost as long as they registered by the deadline.

He also said that he does not think black Homecoming separates anyone, but that it might appear to others that there are two separate homecoming royalty courts.

Smith said she disagrees.

“I am not sure if Mr. McCubbin is aware or not, but for years black students weren't allowed to attend the Homecoming game, let alone run for Homecoming Royalty,” she said. “While we have made many strides and have come a long way, LBC royalty is a way to honor the past, to highlight black leadership.”

Ana Gutierrez-Gamez, president of the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, said she has heard members mention that they do not feel like a part of the general homecoming, but HALO has never sough to host its own Homecoming celebration.

“By having a separate Homecoming you’re immediately forcing a separation,” she said. “In my presidency, I want to unite the campus, and by separating the Hispanic community I’m not doing that.”

Victoria Yu, Asian American Association programming chairwoman, said AAA has never sought to host its own Homecoming either.

Both Gutierrez-Gamez and Yu said that they understand the need for a black Homecoming.

“I’ve been to their events, and I’ve had a lot of fun,” Gutierrez-Gamez said. “They need to make people know that it’s not just a black event, that anyone can go.”

Bass said she enjoys black Homecoming but feels that it is out of date. She also said the problem is bigger than homecoming.

“It was necessary in the beginning to bring minorities together to celebrate since they didn’t feel included otherwise," she said. “In the millennium though, I think we should be working towards unity. I think the real problem is the divide within campus. Focusing on something such as the LBC Homecoming is just a distraction from the real problem.”