Column: Separate but equal
Adam Hanson
Issue date: 12/8/09 Section: Opinion
Not too many events or narratives in America's short, but storied history have rivaled the injustice and racism that existed under the "separate but equal" era.
In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that the idea of separate educational facilities for blacks and whites was unconstitutional.
But 55 years after that historic ruling, Hamline's own campus is institutionalizing this atrocious doctrine and it's right under our noses.
Over the last two weeks, the four Hamline houses have been showcased in this newspaper.
But no one except me, your voice for truth, has bothered to question the underlying concept and destructive nature that these houses are perpetuating.
These houses offer a living environment separate but apparently very equal to the mainstream dorms and apartment-style living arrangements offered by Hamline.
The separation of these houses is based on residents‚ race, sexual orientation or spoken language. Are images of redlining and whites-only drinking fountains coming to mind?
Before I get a stern message from Residential Life, and the water shut off in my Hamline apartment, I must posit that I am not attacking or belittling those students who choose live in the houses or those who find them beneficial.
My intention is to point out the hypocrisy in the argument that they offer a place of growth for their residents.
Furthermore, the notion that these houses build stronger, more diverse communities by separating people based on the color of their skin, orientation or spoken language is simply ludicrous.
When I moved into the dorm hall my first year, I had mixed expectations about what dorm life would bring. I knew I would be meeting new people and exposed to ideas, cultures and backgrounds that were much different than mine.
College dorms are upheld as places where students can grow socially by interacting with people who are different from them. But the students that choose to live in these themed houses have chosen to create separate communities of a near homogenous household.
In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that the idea of separate educational facilities for blacks and whites was unconstitutional.
But 55 years after that historic ruling, Hamline's own campus is institutionalizing this atrocious doctrine and it's right under our noses.
Over the last two weeks, the four Hamline houses have been showcased in this newspaper.
But no one except me, your voice for truth, has bothered to question the underlying concept and destructive nature that these houses are perpetuating.
These houses offer a living environment separate but apparently very equal to the mainstream dorms and apartment-style living arrangements offered by Hamline.
The separation of these houses is based on residents‚ race, sexual orientation or spoken language. Are images of redlining and whites-only drinking fountains coming to mind?
Before I get a stern message from Residential Life, and the water shut off in my Hamline apartment, I must posit that I am not attacking or belittling those students who choose live in the houses or those who find them beneficial.
My intention is to point out the hypocrisy in the argument that they offer a place of growth for their residents.
Furthermore, the notion that these houses build stronger, more diverse communities by separating people based on the color of their skin, orientation or spoken language is simply ludicrous.
When I moved into the dorm hall my first year, I had mixed expectations about what dorm life would bring. I knew I would be meeting new people and exposed to ideas, cultures and backgrounds that were much different than mine.
College dorms are upheld as places where students can grow socially by interacting with people who are different from them. But the students that choose to live in these themed houses have chosen to create separate communities of a near homogenous household.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Shelby Dinsmoor
posted 12/10/09 @ 2:30 AM CST
This makes my blood boil. Not only have you just offended all the people I interviewed for my two articles on Themed Houses, but you missed some of the major aspects mentioned by them in the interviews. (Continued…)
Adam Hanson
Adam Hanson
posted 12/10/09 @ 8:09 PM CST
Shelby,
I appreciate your comment and I am glad I got your blood boiling but do need to remind you of a few things. I write columns to get people thinking. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 12/11/09 @ 5:43 PM CST
Adam,
You do not need to get other people "thinking" you need to think about these issues more yourself.
In Brown v. Board the government actually proved to a certain extent that white and black segregated schools were more or less equal. (Continued…)
Adam Hanson
posted 12/12/09 @ 1:49 PM CST
Hello Anonymous,
I would first like to thank you for correcting my errors. I do research but obviously cannot find everything and I applaud your efforts to bring all of the facts to the table. (Continued…)
Anysa
posted 12/12/09 @ 3:39 PM CST
I don't agree with everything Hanson says BUT I can see where he is coming from. Just because you don't agree with him does not mean you need to attack him. (Continued…)
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