4 - Tuesday, November 26, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 4 - Tuesday, November 26, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom .a C I 4e fitichipan wily Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@michigandaily.com MELANIE KRUVELIS and ADRIENNE ROBERTS MATT SLOVIN EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS MANAGING EDITOR ANDREW WEINER EDITOR IN CHIEF Misrepresented by the media T wo years ago, I lost my vided me with endless motivation, dren - who are doing ev greatest hero and role encouragement and vision. they can to avoid falling model in life. After a short While network news pundits and stereotype society has cr battle with can- our uncles at Thanksgiving dinner them. Though I wouldn't c cer, my father proclaim that there aren't enough men "mentors," they comt passed away due positive Black, male role models same respect that any othe to complications outside of pro-sports, Hollywood mine does. from chemo- and the music industry, I've met one day over the summ therapy, leaving and been mentored by more great visiting a soup kitchen on me without the African-American men than I can East Side, I watched as a 21 most important count. The problem isn't a lack of broke down sobbing in fro male presence JAMES role models; it's a lack of visibil- pregnant girlfriend and aco in a young man's ity. The news and television love organizer. He told us abou development. By BRENNAN covering Black athletes or musi- was trying so hard to avoid the time he died cians - almost as much as they ting a crime to pay off ticke I was 18-years- love covering Black criminals - but because he knew that wit old and technically an adult, but it seems that hardworking, intel- money he would go to jail, lo as we all know, very few boys have ligent, admirable Black men just and have to start all over; become men at that age. don't fit into their programming. he sat there crying, the co I needed another role model. Not Furthermore, one of the worst organizer explained to him just because I'm supposed to have and most pervasive stereotypes of had been in the exact same one, but also because I desired it. Black men in America is the por- a decade ago - trying to a I was hungry for guidance and a trayal of their role as fathers and ing into old ways while tat direct example of how to be a man, role models. The media portrays of his daughter, cutting g like a primal instinct. Time and Black males as dead-beat dads, phi- washing cars for cash. It wa Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors. I S Universal security standards The University should develop a program to increase party safety n Nov. 1, two students at the University's chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house were stabbed while attempting to remove patrons from the premises. Following the incident, the security measures taken by fraternities for their parties have come under scrutiny. While SAE's party wasn't sanctioned by the Interfra- ternity Council, most fraternity events are required to be, which means fraternities must follow strict guidelines and go through a brief security session to ensure the safety of attendees. Although it's difficult to deter- mine whether the incident at SAE could have been prevented at an IFC- sanctioned party, an overhaul of the current fraternity security system should be discussed, as well as University-provided security training for all students, regardless of where they live. erything into the eated for call these mand the r hero of er while Detroit's -year-old nt of his mmunity t how he commit- ts he had 4 hout the se his job again. As mmunity nthat he e position void fall- 4 king care rass and s a strug- Under IFC guidelines, fraternities are required to have some members on guard - called sober monitors - at each party, with the number of them needed depending on the size of the event. Each year of pledges for each fraternity are trained to understand the responsibilities of a sober monitor, which include controlling who enters parties, help- ing those who have fallen sick and keeping the party itself under control. This training, as well as abiding by IFC sanctions, is benefi- cial for the fraternity. IFC-registered parties are surveyed twice a night and sober moni- tors are tested to ensure sobriety. However, the system is not without its flaws. The training is not entirely comprehen- sive - only a single, one-to-three-hour lesson is required. There is also a general lack of uni- formity between the training of fraternities and sororities, as some sororities are required to take GreekLifeEdu - an alcohol education course designed for Greek Life members - while fraternities are not. In order to improve this system, both pledges and brothers should take refresher courses on sober monitor training at least once a year to ensure party security remains up to the latest standards. On a larger scale, the University should consider implementing similar training for all students. The University has acknowl- edged the realities of student life outside of campus with its Stay in the Blue program, so expanding the program to training shouldn't be out of the realm of possibilities. Most of campus is outside of the jurisdiction of the IFC, so the current lack of training creates an unnecessarily dangerous environment. The University has a history of distancing itself from fraternities that violate sanctions, but administration must both come to terms with the fact that students are involved with these organizations and embrace an opportunity to improve safety across campus. The IFC sanctions offer the best model to ensure fraternity safety. But its flaws in mini- mal training for sober monitors coupled with the lack of alcohol education across Greek life are concerning. While the University should acknowledge the independence of the IFC, it should also begin working on a program to increase party safety for all students - Greek- Life-affiliated or not. Maintaining the safety of its students should be a top priority for the University, even if the events occur off-campus. again, as I reached out and tried to fill this void. I was lucky to find people willing to teach me. In high school I was exposed to a network of incredible African- American men any person should be honored to meet. Chief among these is Trevor Coleman, the author and chief speechwriter for former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. He was a close friend of my father and has become like a second dad to me. Mr. Coleman introduced me briefly to people such as Judges Eric Clay, Damon Keith and Ted Shaw, who's a Law School professor and the former NAACP Legal Defense Fund director. In college I've been able to work under incredible professors, such as Matthew Countryman and Har- wood McClerking, while being mentored at the ACLU by attorney Mark Fancher. While some of these men have played far more signifi- cant roles than others in my life, it's safe to say that all of them have pro- landerers and absentee par- ents to illegiti- mate children. The men I've had the honor of being men- tored by are not just successful in their pro- fessions, but they're also menc father figures far1 required of any ind family men who pr lent role model for while mentoring m less others. What the news a forgets are the sto American men w mistakes and are w to break away fro the media seems to only option. Every' Detroit I meet peo tions - often young gle, but earlier that spring, his The problem daughter gradu- ated from high isn't a lack of role school with afull ride to college. models; it's a lack I was moved by that event in a of visibility. way I can't real- ly explain. The pure strength of integrity and and commitment they showed to beyond what is themselves, their family and their ividual. They're community was beyond anything rovide an excel- I had ever witnessed and inspired their children, me the same way that my father and , yself and count- other role models have. Whether we're talking about educated men lso conveniently at the top of their fields or just guys ries of African- trying to get by for their families, ho have made ignore what the media says - there orking tirelessly are amazing Black role models all m the life that around us. We simply have to open believe is their our eyes and look. week working in ple in bad situa- g men with chil- -James Brennan can be reached atjmbthree@umich.edu. CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONVERSATION Readers are encouraged to submit letters to the editor and viewpoints. Letters should be fewer than 300 words while viewpoints should be 550-850 words. Send the writer's full name and University affiliation to tothedaily@michigandaily.com. Unlimi tedaccess slimited options 4 EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS Kaan Avdan, Sharik Bashir, Barry Belmont, James Brennan, Rima Fadlallah, Eric Ferguson, Jordyn Kay, Jesse Klein, Melanie Kruvelis, Aarica Marsh, Megan McDonald, Victoria Noble, Adrienne Roberts, Matthew Seligman, Daniel Wang, Derek Wolfe DANIELLE PARSONS 'But you're smart' The #BBUM campaign's intention was to spark discussion about the lack of diversity on the University's campus. The campaign has caught national interest and has become a huge trend on Twitter. This was a catalyst for the much-needed discussions of the unful- filled promise of higher enrollment rates for minority students and the fact that the Uni- versity promotes tolerance but not acceptance of the different racial, ethnic and religious groups that inhabit this campus. I wanted to take advantage of this oppor- tunity to speak about my experiences as a bi- racial woman at the University. I often joke that I'm racially ambiguous and will change races depending on how someone will classify me. Though it makes me and other people laugh, it covers up the actual discom- fort I feel. I identify as bi-racial - half White and half Black - but I'm not always seen as how I identify. Perhaps my very light complexion gives a twist to people's preconceived notions of how a bi-racial woman should look. Depending on whom you ask, Ihave been classified as Puerto Rican, White, from "some" island, and when people are completely unsure they will say, "you're something, right?" These racial and ethnic classifications come from some small-binding stereotype. For example, my very curly hair gives some type of indication that I may be a minority, and it's furthered when some hear that I use slang that doesn't fit in with mainstream white vernacu- lar. Once it's confirmed that I'm bi-racial, peo- ple will say, "that makes sense," "I could tell by the way you spoke," "your hair is different" and many other variations. Then the annoying questions come: "Can you wash your hair?" "Why do you speak Black?" "Which parent is Black?" "Do you sometimes get confused on how you should act?" Before I understood the complexity of the ignorance surrounding race, I would become furious and defensive when asked these idiotic questions. What the hell do you mean, can I wash my hair? Can you wash your hair? Why do I speak Black? I was unaware that Black was a language - please educate me. These experiences are a small sliver of the amount of ignorance and racism that my counterparts in the Black community, and other minority groups, face on a day-to-day basis. Amomentthatstandsoutinmymemorywas during my freshman year in one of the Modern Language Building's infamous 300-person lectures. I had a discussion regarding race with a gentleman that sat next to me. I men- tioned that I was bi-racial and the expres- sion on his face changed from a smile to one of confusion. I was expecting this. But what I wasn't expecting was his response: "But you're smart?" Those three words will forever be ingrained in my mind. Perhaps he thought it was a compliment - I'm not sure. What I'm sure of is that the stereotypes that we may have thought were long gone with slavery and Jim Crow still exist. Needless to say, I stopped sitting next to him after that. The purpose of this reflection was to bring more awareness of the inequalities that minor- ities in race, religion, culture and other social identities that do not fit white culture face. However, this discussion shouldn't be limited to just the Black community but should be a catalyst for improving how we look at and dis- cuss diversity. We are doing a disservice to our peers and ourselves by not speaking out about the oppressive cloud that constantly rains over minority students. If everything else that I have written is for- gotten, I hope to leave this message: This is not just a Black problem. This is a community problem that affects far more than the naked eye can see. Things can be done and they will be done, butonly if people are open and willing. Danielle Parsons is an LSA senior. ast Thursday, University Housing announced a new meal-plan structure for students liv- ing in residence halls. Starting in 2014, all student meal plans will include unlim- ited meals. This is a change from previous years HARSHA in which plans NAHATA were separated into blocks of 125,150, 200 and unlimited meals. Additionally, these plans included significant amounts of Dining Dollars and Blue Bucks: The 125 meal plan, for example, came with 300 Dining Dollars and 75 Blue Bucks. The new plans don't include Blue Bucks and only include 25 Dining Dollars, a significant change from previous years. The policy also changes the way guest meals are distributed, allowing stu- dents only two guest meal swipes. According to a University Hous- ing official, the new plan was discussed at length and chosen to create a sense of community through dining halls. Christine Siegel, senior associate director of housing services, wrote in an e-mail to The Michigan Daily: "We want students to feel comfortable that they can eat as often as they like in the dining hall. We are hoping that the plans will encourage students to use our dining facilities as hubs for socializing and studying." Allowing stu access to dining I serve as motivat time there and al in for smaller sna out penalty. Asc campus are renov options, this me provides those w halls to take full: different varieties While this pl to encourage stu advantage of th also creates a1 for waste. I had my freshman ye more than 60 me of the year. Now an anomaly as I dining halls, but echoed by others this isn't applica students vary in their use of the dining hall, but there are many who don't eat large numbers of meals in the dining hall. This could be for a vari- ety of reasons. students are outi and meetings, it': something wher of coming back Other times, the par. Regardless o I had, I still fou udents unlimited menting that with outside food, and halls will definitely Dining Dollars and Blue Bucks pro- ion to spend more vided a great avenue to do so. low them to swipe At the end of the day, while the cks and meals with- dining halls are the primary source dining halls across of meals for students living in the ated and offer more dorms, they aren't the only source. eal plan structure For students who don't eat in the ho frequent dining dining halls as much, this new poli- advantage of all the cy takes away flexibility and choice offered. that students used to have. an is a great way Furthermore, there isn't yet idents to take full a systematic way to deal with e dining halls, it waste from dining halls. With the large opportunity onslaught of larger dining halls, the I a 125 meal plan quantity and variety of food avail- ar, and I still had able will only grow. Perhaps, with eals left at the end the new policy more students will I may have been be inclined to eat there resulting in barely ate in the more consumption. But if that isn't that concern was the case, there is also a lot of food as well. Of course, that may go to waste. ble to everyone as Ina walk around campus, we are exposed to mem- bers of the com- The least we can munity who don't have the same do is examine access to food that University stu- Ways to minimize dents may have. If there is going to waste. be an expansion of the meal-plan pol- icy to place more Sometimes when emphasis on dining hall meals, the in between classes least we can do is also examine ways s easier to just grab to minimize waste within the din- e they are instead inghalls or explore opportunities to to a dining hall. donate excess food. food just isn't up to )f how many meals nd myself supple- - Harsha Nahata can be reached at hnahata@umich.edu. :nd myself supple- reached al hnahata@smich.eds. Frankly, it's offensive that it's something to be brought before the Legislature - requiring women to have rape insurance." - Robert McCann, spokesman for Michigan Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing), said regarding a petition that garnered over 315,000 signatures, which would require women to pay extra in order to have abortion coverage as part of their health insurance. 4 CHECK US OUT ONLINE Keep up with columnists, read Daily editorials, view cartoons and join in the debate. Check out @michigandaily and Facebook.com/MichiganDaily to get updates on Daily opinion content throughout the day. 4