Is Middlebury too politically correct?

Author: Sonja Pedersen-Green, focus editor

In The Village Voice this summer, Middlebury College was criticized for its lack of racial sensitivity and the use of racial profiling. Perhaps the most notorious example of this was in a campus-wide crime alert last year, in which a suspect was referred to as having "nappy hair." Additionally, the frisbee team hosted a party last fall themed "Cowboys and Injuns," which raised eyebrows and led to protests.

Despite these events, most students at Middlebury believe that they live in a politically correct environment. "I think that oftentimes we try and censor our beliefs so that we don't offend anyone around us," said Student Government Association (SGA) Director of Institutional Diversity Lauren Curatolo '06. "I think that at Middlebury we do, to a certain extent, bite our tongue and almost conform to what we believe others want us to say. Unfortunately, this does not lead to open and honest conversations surrounding diversity."

Steve Gordon '08 disagreed: "I don't think we're a politically correct campus. None of my friends are PC."

In lieu of the events that occurred on campus last year, Curatolo stated, "all I really have to say is that Middlebury is a microcosm of the rest of the world. Thus, we are bound to have people here who are less sensitive, unaware or just apathetic to racial and gender inequities. Ultimately, Middlebury needs to continue to have forums where discussions about diversity happen and not with the same people in attendance."

"For some students, I think their econ test next week or what party they are going to this weekend is a more pressing issue than discrimination." Mark Egan '08 said. "I think the College administration tries to give this problem more attention than most students are willing to give it. I barely have enough time to do all my homework, participate in activities and attempt to carry on a normal social life without having to worry about tackling diversity issues at Middlebury."

Curatolo also noted the importance of realizing all forms of discrimination, not simply racial discrimination. "When we talk about diversity, let us not forget about all the groups of people who are oppressed in society. When we protest parties like 'Cowboys and Injuns,' let us also remember that we are obligated to protest theme parties like 'Dirty Professors and Naughty Schoolgirls'," said Curatolo. "Both thematic parties work within a system that oppresses two groups of people; both perpetuate power dynamics that ultimately lead to the continued degradation and oppression of two groups of people."

Kieran Coe '07 disagreed with Curatolo. "Actions and events are more important than words," he noted. "It matters not what we call the party but what happens there. What matters is not the language used but the context and intent behind the use of language. Yes, we should be considerate to others, but we all need to have a sense of humor. A little bit of a sense of humor will go a long way toward fostering better inter-gender and inter-racial relations."

Curatolo also stressed the importance of addressing all kinds of discrimination. "If we don't talk about sexism, if we don't talk about racism, if we don't address the fact that Native Americans were slaughtered and pushed off of their land, if we ignore the fact that we are all individually accountable for improving the quality of life of those around us, then the state of our College community, and of the world at large, is in serious trouble. We all have great minds, the problem is we aren't using them to our fullest capacity, and that is my greatest fear."

The Office of Institutional Diversity was not available for comment on the level of political correctness at the College.