The Black Informant | African American Commentary, News and Community Building

Ashley loves her mostly-Black dorm at Stanford.

Ujamaa always is engaging in intellectual discussions and topics from around the world. Though there is always the latest gossip about celebs, people in my dorm take time to discuss issues affecting the community at Stanford, in the US, and in the world.

Allysia ain’t feeling it as much.

“While ethnic housing may help some minorities express their identities and learn about their cultures, it also propagates pseudo-culture. For example, many ethnic houses rely predominantly on the superficial aspect of food to share culture. I say “superficial” because many of the dishes served are Americanized and only ethnic in name. For example, Asians often complain that Wilbur’s Asian cuisine is merely Stanford’s rendition of Panda Express. Stern’s idea of Mexican food is a taco bar, some kind of beans, and chips with salsa.

Furthermore, many films featured by the ethnic houses perpetuate stereotypes of a “marginalized minority.” Blacks appear as enslaved or impoverished; Mexicans as ignorant or unassimilated; Asians as reclusive and inarticulate. In how many featured films do blacks play scientists or Asians social butterflies? Most films that ethnic houses choose to feature are hackneyed stories about the difficulties of overcoming prejudice and poverty. While these tales can be inspiring, event planners neglect that these are not the obstacles most minorities at Stanford face. Most minorities at Stanford have already overcome such obstacles and now confront new ones, such as how to assimilate into a diverse community while maintaining cultural authenticity. Most films and guest lecturers the houses present do not reflect the struggles of most Stanford students; they reflect the struggles of stereotyped minorities.”