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[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

An organized protest at Cornell University supporting racial equality has been canceled after a black student group complained about the “lack of people of color in the planning and attendance” of the event, which appears to have been organized by a white student.

The group also stated that “although” the members appreciate “the solidarity and interest of our allies,” the organization would like to address prejudice “in [their] own way.” They then suggested that individuals who would like to show support for black causes should ask in advance for the organization’s approval.

The event creator, who appears to be a white man on his Facebook profile, was accused of “mocking the struggles of our communities” and “creating an event to promote himself.”

Some Facebook commenters called the event creator a “troll.”

http://www.mrctv.org/blog/black-students-cornell-protest-pro-black-protest-led-white-students






https://twitter.com/_SteveSchmidt_/status/664602953123262464

https://twitter.com/J_Koll/status/664609283472945153

https://twitter.com/Nettaaaaaaaa/status/664603626891964416


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9cjG7PwDZU

 

[GavinGT]

But that's crazy...and then the guy apologized for it.

 

[Binabik15]

That's...meta.

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

That's...meta.

:lol

 

[FZZ]

Uhh alright I guess

Representation is an issue that needs to be addressed when it comes to rallies, I agree. But idk I the "Please ask us how you can support us" doesn't sit well with me, sounds like BSU is trying to be the end all be all of Black rights on their respective campus.

 

[Chariot]

This seems somewhat absurd.

 

[BocoDragon]

This feels like a shark-jumping moment for this whole discussion....

 

[Funky Papa]

School kids, everyone.

 

[GavinGT]

The audience looks confused and slightly embarrassed.

 

[The Silver]

literally said what the fuck out loud.

 

[King Tubby]

It's about time someone encouraged white people to be apathetic to the plight of minorities.

 

[Atraveller]

Sounds like a Community gag.

 

[Dynamite Shikoku]

Someone should protest

 

[ffdgh]

This is...strange to say the least.

Nvm I get it now.

 

[Massive Duck. C.M.]

the fuck?

This feels like a shark-jumping moment for this whole discussion....

rethink

 

[Bananajama]

Boooo people

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

congrats on the triple take thread title lol

Someone should protest

me thinks doth protest too much.

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

This is...strange to say the least.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9cjG7PwDZU

Not really.

 

[King Tubby]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9cjG7PwDZU

Not really.

Yeah the March on Washington was a circus that accomplished nothing.

 

[And_Gignac]

When protagonism gets into your head this is what happens. You get clingy to it and forget the ideals that took there in the first place.

I mean, I understand why they wouldn't want white people leading the movement or having any sort of bigger visibility than the actual vulnerable group, but clearly that wasn't the intention of the demonstration, they didn't want to challenge the leadership. You can't monitor / censor the behavior of allies like that.

 

[Hyun Sai]

School kids, everyone.

Yeah, being an adult is a long process and can sometimes never be achieved.

 

[mAcOdIn]

I don't think this is weird at all, people want to own their own movements. As a white male I can't say I feel the need for a white movement but if instead I viewed it from say a local or political movement I would be a little perturbed if some outsiders were the organizers. And in the end it's all the same, basically the people affected by whatever cause they're fighting want to and should be the ones in charge.

 

[fastford58]

Until people of all colours come together in a unified voice, this whole movement is doomed to fail.

 

[chaobreaker]

Kind of strange the dude didn't get the black student group involved in his protest in the first place.

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

Until people of all colours come together in a unified voice, this whole movement is doomed to fail.

What?

 

[Big Baybee]

Kind of strange the dude didn't get the black student group involved in his protest in the first place.

Exactly

 

[fastford58]

:lololololol

Hilarious, I know. Thanks for the input.

 

[BLACK AMERICAN PSYCHO]

Hilarious, I know. Thanks for the input.

What will fail? What movement are you talking about?

 

[Herbs]

well....uhhhh... yeah... hmmm.

 

[KevinCow]

I mean I can kinda see what they're saying, but at the same time I feel like there are more important things to protest than a guy who's trying to help your cause.

Still, I'm impressed that this was resolved in such a reasonable and civil manner.

 

[Into]

The left eating the left

 

[tass0]

Clear racism because he's white. Should be kicked out of school.

 

[BriGuy]

well....uhhhh... yeah... hmmm.

Yeah, that's basically what I'm left at too. I guess I see the BSU's point, but I also don't believe they should have "exclusive rights" in protesting against racial inequality. That's a cause that needs as many people from as many walks of life behind it as possible.

 

[braves01]

Not a good look for the black student group, imo.

 

[anaron]

yes let's discourage allies, that'll win people over.

 

[Herbs]

I mean I can kinda see what they're saying, but at the same time I feel like there are more important things to protest than a guy who's trying to help your cause.

Still, I'm impressed that this was resolved in such a reasonable and civil manner.

just shows that the dude who was organizing it is a reasonable guy who just wanted to help as best he could and instead was kind of put down by some overzealous students.

 

[fastford58]

What will fail? What movement are you talking about?

The movement to bring to light in a meaningful way grave social injustices against groups of people that have existed in Western Culture pretty much since it's inception and the attempt to correct those injustices and break down the institutions that prop them up and keep them alive.

I don't think regulating protests is the way to go. Everyone who supports blm should be able to have a voice regardless of...anything. I should be able to organize a protest independently of approval from other groups if the voice is the same. Social change isn't made by silencing the voices of supporters, it is made by allowing everyone to speak up.

I get the need for black people to have their own movement within the movement, because let's face it, they understand best the situation at hand. But it shouldn't come at the cost of silencing others because of the colour of the participants. Isn't that disingenuous? Isn't that segregation?

As a white person, I don't know and couldn't possibly ever know how it feels to have experienced the struggles that visible minorities are going through. But I don't think knowing everything is a prerequisite. I only need to recognize that yes, there is a problem in our culture where we marginalize to a great degree black people and other visible minorities and yes I would like to see that change. And I should be able to voice the need for that change without being attacked or seeking approval by other people first.

Am I off base here?

 

[Count Dookkake]

Kinda silly.

The existence of another protest in no way minimized BSU's ability to address their concerns "in [their] own way."

 

[jediyoshi]

Exactly

So it's a conspiracy? They don't exist to vet speech, I'm not sure how whatever implications are any less strange in the opposite direction.

 

[Big Baybee]

Clear racism because he's white. Should be kicked out of school.

Literally no one said anything about racism. But let's see where this comment leads us.

 

[Africanus]

Despite finding the student's concerns a tad odd (and able to be resolved in a less dramatic way), I am unsettled by the quality of some of the comments in reaction to this.

 

[mAcOdIn]

The movement to bring to light in a meaningful way grave social injustices against groups of people that have existed in Western Culture pretty much since it's inception and the attempt to correct those injustices and break down the institutions that prop them up and keep them alive.

I don't think regulating protests is the way to go. Everyone who supports blm should be able to have a voice regardless of...anything. I should be able to organize a protest independently of approval from other groups if the voice is the same. Social change isn't made by silencing the voices of supporters, it is made by allowing everyone to speak up.

I get the need for black people to have their own movement within the movement, because let's face it, they understand best the situation at hand. But it shouldn't come at the cost of silencing others because of the colour of the participants. Isn't that disingenuous? Isn't that segregation?

As a white person, I don't know and couldn't possibly ever know how it feels to have experienced the struggles that visible minorities are going through. But I don't think knowing everything is a prerequisite. I only need to recognize that yes, there is a problem in our culture where we marginalize to a great degree black people and other visible minorities and yes I would like to see that change. And I should be able to voice the need for that change without being attacked or seeking approval by other people first.

Am I off base here?

Ethically I don't think you're off base I just think psychologically it becomes an issue. I think to many people it'd look like Exxon Mobile leading an environmental movement, a man leading a women's rights movement or US Police leading an an anti police violence movement. In reality those should happen, Exxon should care about the environment, men should care about equality for women and other policemen and women should denounce police violence but them being in charge of the opposition just looks..., eh, sketchy. And as much as I hate to say it I think many people view white people as the cause of racial inequality. Now of course I don't believe that every minority thinks every white person's at fault just as I don't think anyone believes every cop's at fault for police violence but it does start to look a little like co-opting a movement. So in terms of racial inequality I think we(white people) should be joining them on their quest not the other way around.

But, like I said, I don't think ethically or morally you're wrong.

Actually, it makes sense. What's absurd is to organize a public function that aims to benefit a group of people without consulting members of that group. That would be like organizing a rally for breast cancer survivors and not having a single breast cancer survivor in the planning and or execution phase.

Keep in mind, I believe both parties are at fault in this. The Black Students United at Cornell should never ever ever believe that they can tackle a racial problem by not having white students involved in their rallies. Likewise, the white students at Cornell should never ever ever believe that they can tackle a racial problem by not having black students involved in their rallies.

A lot of people have a misguided belief that you can solve a racial problem by working within your own race. One look at the civil rights movement should tell you that the most proven, effective, and powerful way to solve a racial problem is for black people and white people to work together. People like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wouldn't be who they are today (i.e. An icon for equality) without sacrifices from people like Rev. James Reeb.

Also, I must say, I'm extremely happy to see young adults (black and white) stand up for what's right. It gives me hope that the next generation of resumes will actually be impressive.

I agree with this as well.

 

[tbm24]

Gotta say, sits weird with me that they are effectively suggesting folks ask them for permission when racial equality extends beyond just black America.

 

[RibMan]

This seems somewhat absurd.

Actually, it makes sense. What's absurd is to organize a public function that aims to benefit a group of people without consulting members of that group. That would be like organizing a rally for breast cancer survivors and not having a single breast cancer survivor in the planning and or execution phase.

Keep in mind, I believe both parties are at fault in this. The Black Students United at Cornell should never ever ever believe that they can tackle a racial problem by not having white students involved in their rallies. Likewise, the white students at Cornell should never ever ever believe that they can tackle a racial problem by not having black students involved in their rallies.

A lot of people have a misguided belief that you can solve a racial problem by working within your own race. One look at the civil rights movement should tell you that the most proven, effective, and powerful way to solve a racial problem is for black people and white people to work together. People like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wouldn't be who they are today (i.e. An icon for equality) without sacrifices from people like Rev. James Reeb.

Also, I must say, I'm extremely happy to see young adults (black and white) stand up for what's right. It gives me hope that the next generation of resumes will actually be impressive.

 

[Aztechnology]

The message this sends is. "White people you're wrong, even if you're on our side."

Seems to be a suprisingly common message that's being sent. Like the black lives matter groups shutting down rallies for democratic candidates like Bernie Sanders.

 

[King Tubby]

It's actually extremely important for white people to organize against racism, whether they do so under the auspices of black organizers or not. Not only because they hold substantial political capital but also because they can exercise social pressure among other whites that even outside of "mixed company", racism is unacceptable, in a way that black people cannot.

To use a different analogy from coffee, I would only consider it a positive thing for men to organize a protest against the abuse of women even if no women were part of the protest to begin with. It's important for men to do this independently amongst themselves, because men take cues on how to behave more from other men than they do women. And it would never be completely independent of concerns put forth by women's organizations.

When you are not a member of a group but consider yourself allied to them, and try to do something to help their cause, and are chastised for not doing it the exact right way, a common response is to throw up your hands and stop giving a shit, reasoning that your participation or input isn't wanted or needed.

If this group were trying to hijack the message, or making unfounded claims that hurt or contradicted the message of black organizers, then it would be more appropriate to take issue. But white people taking it upon themselves to organize against racism is something that should be encouraged.

 

[Chariot]

Actually, it makes sense. What's absurd is to organize a public function that aims to benefit a group of people without consulting members of that group. That would be like organizing a rally for breast cancer survivors and not having a single breast cancer survivor in the planning and or execution phase.

Keep in mind, I believe both parties are at fault in this. The Black Students United at Cornell should never ever ever believe that they can tackle a racial problem by not having white students involved in their rallies. Likewise, the white students at Cornell should never ever ever believe that they can tackle a racial problem by not having black students involved in their rallies.

A lot of people have a misguided belief that you can solve a racial problem by working within your own race. One look at the civil rights movement should tell you that the most proven, effective, and powerful way to solve a racial problem is for black people and white people to work together. People like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wouldn't be who they are today (i.e. An icon for equality) without sacrifices from people like Rev. James Reeb.

Also, I must say, I'm extremely happy to see young adults (black and white) stand up for what's right. It gives me hope that the next generation of resumes will actually be impressive.

Thanks for the explanation. That makes sense. I think BSU could've added to the response an friendly invitation for that guy to help with the preparation of their next rally or something. The way their response is made it sounds like they really don't want to bother with him.

 

[JaggedSac]

What does 1839 was built on my b(l)ack mean? I'm not great with history. What happened in 1839?

 

[Funky Papa]

What does 1839 was built on my b(l)ack mean? I'm not great with history. What happened in 1839?

William Otis received a patent for the steam shovel.

 

[JDSN]

Where is the controversy at? The two groups talked and quickly reached an understanding and the situation was quickly resolved? Isnt that mature? How does this lead to losing allies? ( As in real allies, not the online ones that are only allies to mention how bad they are treating allies.)