SMU students received an unconventional lesson about diversity this week at the Tunnel of Oppression, a national event performed on college campuses.
From a distance, the white tents and luminaries set up on the Boulevard looked unassuming, but a closer inspection revealed banners covered with slurs like hobo and whore, catching participants’ attention.
The event, hosted by Residence Life and Student Housing and the Department of Multicultural Student Affairs, involved a tour through four tents. At each station, volunteers performed brief skits concerning issues like homosexuality, racial prejudices, and body image.
The tour began with a skit where a student considers possible Halloween costumes. While many students realize dressing in a KKK costume or a turban would offend people, other skits revealed more subtle prejudices.
Jokes about sexuality and common sayings like “that’s so gay” have potential to harm, as a skit about a homosexual and his struggles with his roommate revealed. They also taught people to recognize warning signs for cutters or eating disorders.
According to the Chair of the Diversity Action Team, Ali Martin Scoufield, the Tunnel of Oppression sought to break new ground in tackling diversity concerns.
“Our goal is to change how people think and bring an awareness of these issues. People don’t realize the impact of their words,” said Scoufield.
Almost 50 students attended Monday night, and Scoufield hoped for more Tuesday, but attendance was not as important as the impact.
Students didn’t just observe the event. Tour guides led participants, often critiquing and harshly directing them to demonstrate how words can hurt.
After the tour, Karen Click, director of the Women’s Center, and Ellen Greenwald, psychology intern at the Counseling and Testing Center, led debriefing sessions for each group to discuss the skits.
“We often talk about these issues theoretically, so it’s great to actually see real examples,” said Click. Despite criticism and uncomfortable topics, students responded positively to the experience. Senior vocal performance major Ted Clarkson praised the Tunnel of Oppression.
“I’m gay, so I identified with that scene because I’ve experienced a lot of those issues,” said Clarkson.
RLSH and DMSA will plan another diversity awareness event, Writing on the Wall, for next spring.
