There has been great controversy surrounding two statues standing in the upper quad, also known as McCorkle Place, on UNC Chapel Hill’s campus. One of these statues is a 20-foot-tall depiction of a confederate soldier, known as Silent Sam, erected as a monument to the Civil War. The other, about a hundred yards away, is known as the “Unsung Founders Memorial” and is a polished table held-up by 300 black figures in honor of the African-Americas, slave and free, who built this campus.

As with much art, the meaning of these two statues has been interpreted differently according to the viewer. Some view Silent Sam as an offensive reminder of an overtly racist period within our country’s history. Others view the statue as a non-offensive record of a time period that cannot be erased. In regards to the Unsung Founders Memorial, some see the table to be depicting blacks as small and inferior and enslaved, while others see them as mighty and “Herculean” and seemingly holding the weight of the world. Whether or not these pieces are celebrating, commemorating, or documenting, they are controversial.

Much of this controversy revolves around the proximity of the statues to one another and the juxtaposition this creates and the selection of artists commissioned to create these works. The Unsung Founders Monument, which was a gift from students to the university, is the work of a Korean artist who was chosen out of 70 original prospective artists, 11 of which were black. Two of the four students on the selection committee were black and in the final selection process one of three artists who came to Chapel Hill for interviews was black. It seems to me that this particular statue was built upon diverse decisions, but this is not the case, in my opinion, with Silent Sam who was created by artist John Wilson who was commissioned by the United Daughters of Confederacy.

I think that every person has the right to interpret these pieces however they would like, but that we should respond to this controversy in light of those who have been offended. It is easy to get caught up in one’s own perspective and become blind to another. Just because an individual is not offended by something does not mean that it is not offensive. I think that the university should consider the validity of the offense in the eyes of the offended and act in the way that they would like to be treated.

In reading the article posted in the link above, my eyes were opened once again to the deep rooted effects of racism in American society. I naturally have a world-view that reflects my own life’s experience. Since I am a white female and have not encountered the dealings of this article on a personal level, I was left to believe that it did not exist. In reading this article, I was reminded that just because I haven’t experienced something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Discrimination against blacks in the work force is a perfect example.

Because this type of discrimination isn’t usually overt, it becomes much harder to deal with; I can certainly understand how black individuals in this situation would, as the article stated, be wary of “pulling the race card” or resorting to immediate cynicism in fear of misreading the situation. This type of racism is only diagnosed when one zooms out from the specific situation and inspects the wider context and frequency of such situations. And since we rarely have access to this kind wide-lens perspective, subtle racisms are perpetuated among job markets leaving the individuals who are subject to this discrimination, are virtually helpless.

It is our responsibility as members of a diverse society to take off frequently put ourselves in a position to view the world around us through the lens of another, as well as through a wide-lens perspective. We must constantly be looking beyond ourselves and ready to act upon our findings. Racism needs to end, and that will not happen until it is recognized and addressed by society as a whole.

• Dr. Trevy McDonald, UNC School of Journalism & Mass Communication
• Dr. Lucila Vargas, UNC School of Journalism & Mass Communication
• Grant Bollmer, UNC Department of Communication Studies
• Sara Gregory, Student, Online managing editor of The Daily Tar Heel
  Former Print Managing editor of The DTH

Obviously there are many different types of minority groups and the panel narrowed down this broad topic and focused on the representation of Blacks, Asians and Hispanics in the media. One of the main questions addressed was how we, as students, try to combat this, and what is our role in the media?

Here are some points to consider:

1. Is there a lack of coverage?

1. Letter written to the editor of the DTH about the lack of coverage of this year’s step show

2. Racial pop culture branding – is this ok?

1. Turning Obama into a brand and wrapping so many different stories around it
2. Turning a pop culture thing into a beat

3. Is bad coverage better than no coverage?

1. CNN’s Latino in America Reviews had some harsh critique saying that it was “sensational and shallow”

4. Everyday racism highlighted today

1. Is it ok to turn a daily event into a huge story?

5. Strength of headlines

1. AP wire headline: man suspected of fatally shooting four Hispanic men – when is it appropriate to use racially charged terminology in a headline?

A few valuable applications:

Students should operate under a “consumer -responsibility mentality”.  As we consume media, we (and really all members of society) have the responsibility to critically analyze the information and respond accordingly. While students hold some responsibility, there is also great responsibility that rests on the educators, who must equip journalists to cover minority groups. We as journalism students are the media’s future. We have the power to inspire change. Check out the Facebook event wall “Minorities in the Media: Where do Students fit?” to learn more about the discussion, and initiate change as you post comments and share your views on our role as students.

The chapter concludes as follows:

“What remains to be seen is whether images of women, which in the past were nearly absent from virtual worlds, will evolve beyond what one game producer called “fantasy art wet dream material” (”Girl trouble, 1998, p. 99) and into strong, independent characters th at are not trapped by sexist stereotypes.

This blog assignment gives you the opportunity to become a video game designer.  Describe how you would “redesign” women in a video game of your own creation so that they are not trapped by sexist stereotypes.

Please post to your personal blogs by 10 a.m. on Monday, November 16.

Well, honestly I‘m not a big fan of video games – by that I mean I don’t like them at all would really rather society go on without them. However, if for some unforeseen reason, I had to design one that included women, there is a lot I would change from the current representation. The design would obviously be tailored to fit the genre of game, but a few areas would remain constant. I would definitely nix the “fantasy art wet dream material” and drop the sex appeal in exchange for a woman whose cleavage is covered and body it clothed. I would lose the domineering sex icon for a more wholesome and realistic girl. She can still be brave and adventurous but will represent more of a Disney character look than a porn star.

On October 8, self-help “guru” James Arthur Ray hosted a sweat lodge experience as part of his Spiritual Warrior retreat in Sedona, Arizona which resulted in three deaths and several injuries.

The “sweat lodge” which was covered with tarps and blankets was 2.5 feet high on the sides and 4.5 feet high in the center.  It is estimated that between 55 and 65 people participated in the ceremony.

Here is an account from a Beverly Bunn, an orthodontist who participated in the ceremony. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/23/earlyshow/main5413451.shtml

Many Native Americans are greatly concerned that their cultural practices are being misused by others for financial gain.  Chief Arvol Looking Horse responds to this tragedy (prior to the third death) inIndian Country Today.

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/64486777.html

Is it appropriate to use rituals and practices from other cultures?

I think this question depends entirely on the manner in which the rituals and practices are used. In some cases, sharing practices and rituals shapes culture and promotes understanding among diverse people. Cases in which people adopt a foreign practice or ritual in an attempt to better understand or appreciate that culture is definitely appropriate, and should be encouraged. Unfortunately this is not often the case, and people’s motivations, such as in the sweat lodge experience, are not always pure. Exploiting a ritual or practice for financial gain is never appropriate. And even when motives are pure, dabbling in another culture’s rituals or practices can be dangerous because without complete knowledge or understanding, it’s easy to use offend and or undermine the people of this culture. In summary, it can be appropriate to use rituals and practices from other cultures but must be done with pure motives in thoughtful consideration and respect.

TAOS, N.M. – Larry Whitten marched into this northern New Mexico town in late July on a mission: resurrect a failing hotel.

The tough-talking former Marine immediately laid down some new rules. Among them, he forbade the Hispanic workers at the run-down, Southwestern adobe-style hotel from speaking Spanish in his presence (he thought they’d be talking about him), and ordered some to Anglicize their names.

No more Martin (Mahr-TEEN). It was plain-old Martin. No more Marcos. Now it would be Mark.

Whitten’s management style had worked for him as he’s turned around other distressed hotels he bought in recent years across the country

To read more, visit

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_trouble_in_taos

Stories like this are unbelievable to me. I feel like there is some kind of law in our country that prevents employers from treating employees like this. It’s hard to imagine someone treating others with such disdain. This is bigger than disrespecting someone’s native language, culture, or heritage; it is dehumanizing someone – stripping them of their identity and value as a person. This is, of course, shaped by the lens of my world view – which upholds human life as intrinsically valuable because it is formed in the image of God, who gives it value. However, many people would not agree that there is a God who created human life and assigns its value. In fact, many do not agree that humans even have intrinsic value. And then there are some who believe humans have intrinsic value but do not believe in God. I am curious as to how this view presents human value as intrinsic instead of earned.

Sorry about that tangent – now back to the point. All of this to say that I am saddened by this story because of the way this man devalues human life which I believe is a gift of God. However, although I am saddened, I cannot be surprised. I find it likely from his actions that this man does not view human life as intrinsically valuable. I think many others share this view whether they realize it or not. If we are going appalled at this type of treatment, I am curious as to why. I think we must contemplate why this story makes us upset. Why does man deserve certain rights? Why does he deserve treatment that is different than say a bird or a dog? What gives man honor, identity and value? I think it’s a question worth asking and worth thinking about.

As I mentioned earlier, I personally believe that this behavior is appalling because all humans are given value, identity and honor as they are made in the image of God. I believe that God calls us to live together in loving unity and that the behavior exhibited in this article is in direct violation to God’s commands.

Not only would the omission of undocumented immigrants distort the figures, it would undermine the efforts of these groups to be known and heard. Although many undocumented immigrants are protesting the census in an appeal for immigration reform, I think they ultimately provide a way for these immigrants to achieve change. I think the census is the most safe and accurate way to determine actual population sizes of undocumented immigrants and puts this group in a position to receive greater political clout and federal funding

However, the issue of race is woven deep into these parties and affects the political views that oppose or support this topic. The Republican Party, opposed to the reform, is comprised largely of dominant members of society, while the Democratic Party, supportive of the reform, is comprised largely of minority groups.  Obama represents these minorities as the ideology leader and as a member of a minority group. It seems to me that the opposition he faces is on the basis of ideology and not race, but I will leave room to assume that some members of society will oppose such reform simply because of Obama’s racial identity. If this is the case, I also think it is safe to assume that those who allow race to influence their political decisions, would also be swayed by gender. Therefore, I would conclude that they would also act with prejudice against Hilary Clinton or any other female leader and oppose such a reform.