It’s funny that Alison and Stephanie start their latest frat defense with “interestingly enough.” Why? This debate is recycled every year. Interesting? Maybe it was in the nineties. This conversation is just another twist on the “should (mostly white and straight) men have their own safe space on campus?” My response to this eternal question is: what are the economics, COL, CSS, and philosophy (etc.) departments for then?
While none of these departments are by any means entirely straight white and male, safe spaces are about who’s in control, not about purity of membership. Clubs and identity houses demonstrate this by not strictly limiting their membership. Women of Color House, Asian/Asian American House, Turath House all have or have had non-identifying allies as members. Please correct me if I am wrong, but the number of non-identifying allies belonging to Wesleyan’s fraternities has always been zero. Some safe space. I thought that the concept of “pure” identities was deconstructed at Wesleyan, maybe not in the economics department (though they do have some good people).
What really struck me about Alison and Stephanie’s latest Wespeak was their claim that offensive groups help create diversity at Wes. I always thought that “diversity” meant diversity in race, class, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. Ending “CEOs and Hoes” parties would endanger Wesleyan’s diversity? Are you kidding? For anyone who thinks parties are apolitical, go check out the Wespeaks regarding the “Hawaiian” dress a few years ago. Power does not evaporate just because you want to get drunk and have a good time.
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