Everyone needs help sometimes, especially amid new experiences. Relatedly, a New York school has aimed to assist its adjusting enrollees -- except ones particularly-pigmented.
Springing into the Spring '24 session, Le Moyne College hosted a getaway for those hoping for a successful semester. The invitation also extended to staff. All one needed to attend was skin that lacked lightness.
Even so, it was for people of "all backgrounds." On the official calendar, the January 20th event was advertised thusly:
We would like to take this opportunity to invite students and faculty of all backgrounds to join us for this year's Students of Color Retreat.
RELATED: The Double Standard: 'Colored People' vs. 'People of Color' - Which Should Be More Offensive?
From the sound of things, whiteness is the enemy of everyone else's empowerment. Via validation, Le Moyne is keen on countering that:
This retreat is to empower students to foster a sense of belonging in a culturally validating space through engagement with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students/staff, group development activities, and discovering their own narrative of how to thrive while navigating a Predominately White Institution (PWI) as a collective community.
Per the promotion, students would feast on a buffet of instruction:
Space is limited for this impactful opportunity where you will attend workshops to:
- Develop the art of self-advocacy and the skills to manage implicit and explicit biases.
- Foster your sense of belonging by getting introduced to centers and programs on campus integral to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Build the foundation of community and gain a strong network of current students, faculty, and administrators of color.
- Discuss...Imposter Syndrome and strategies to overcome it.
As for that last item, from Psychology Today:
Imposter Syndrome
People who struggle with imposter syndrome believe that they are undeserving of their achievements and the high esteem in which they are, in fact, generally held. They feel that they aren’t as competent or intelligent as others might think—and that soon enough, people will discover the truth about them. Those with imposter syndrome—which is not an official diagnosis—are often well accomplished; they may hold high office or have numerous academic degrees.
Some might interpret the workshop's non-Caucasian collation as disparaging toward minorities. Le Moyne looks to believe anyone not white is in need of special help. Conversely, the school appears convinced its white students and staff make things difficult for all others in attendance. So goes our new normal.
Fewer than two decades ago, America was moving toward colorblindness. Recent headlines point to an about-face. Institutional overseers have seemingly surmised segregation is superior. All should be judged by their shade:
Esteemed Medical Journal Prescribes the Cure for America's Racism: Segregation
Professor: Cancer Researchers Should Show Their Faces to Prove They Aren't White
Cartoon Network Schools Kids on Racial Righteousness: You Must Never Be Colorblind
State Medical Board Demands Nurses Not 'White-Splain,' Be Colorblind, or 'Weaponize Whiteness'
University Professor on 'Diversity and Inclusion' Panel Announces She Keeps Away From White People
Maybe Le Moyne believes heaven will have two signs: White, and Other. It is, after all, a Catholic college. But if such divisions don't await the living, a course correction wouldn't be undue. The school may have prepared partitioned pupils to deal with a Predominately White Institution, but eternity is a lot longer than four years.
Hopefully, the college -- and the country -- will get things ironed out. Le Moyne has set a high bar; its slogan is "Greatness meets Goodness." In the meantime, ostensibly, it's also -- in practice -- The Woebegone meet Whiteness.
-ALEX
See more content from me:
Public University Promotes 'Why Pronouns Matter' Course, Tells Students It's What Employers Look For
Catholic University Announces New Position, Hires Trans-Identifying 'Manager of LGBTQ+ Affairs'
University Medical System Forms 'Antiracist' Group That Teaches Whites How to Say They're Sorry
Find all my RedState work here.
Thank you for reading! Please sound off in the Comments section below.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member