Letter to the Editor | VSA decision sparks concern, disappointment

There is a tremendous feeling of disappointment and let-down after the proceedings regarding the racist, sexist and homophobic material published by The Imperialist. Many people feel ignored, hurt and disregarded by the resolution passed by the the Vassar Student Association (VSA) last Sunday. What I understand to be one of the biggest issues here is not whether or not the material published in The Imperialist was hurtful and offensive, but rather the issue of accountability and responsibility for one’s own actions and to each other. The reluctance to take action against what was published in The Imperialist speaks to larger reluctance to genuinely confront issues of race and privilege at Vassar.

In many people’s opinions, the resolution was not sufficient to address the severity of the material published by The Imperialist. The VSA must be accountable to those who elected them—not only by listening and considering our concerns, but also in making us aware of the ways in which we are permitted to participate in VSA proceedings. While we were encouraged to speak during the 30 minutes allotted for discussion, we were not informed that we were able to make proposals to the council once they had begun deliberating. In addition, the VSA is obligated to discuss the points brought up by concerned students. Throughout their deliberations, no one on the council even mentioned what the students felt would be an appropriate action.

Likewise, as leaders, they have the responsibility to help shape the ways that we discuss issues. The VSA resolution is completely lacking in that regard. At no point does the resolution say that what The Imperialist printed was wrong. An amendment to “strongly encourage” the members of MICA to apologize was voted down on the grounds that MICA had already apologized and that it wouldn’t be heartfelt. What the resolution does establish is a space for a much needed dialogue. This, however, is not mutually exclusive from establishing the fact that what was printed was racist, sexist, homophobic and therefore harmful to the entire community.

The lack of condemnation of the material published by The Imperialist sets a tone of impunity on the campus. What the resolution says to me is, “You can belittle and disempower whomever you want in this community, at worse you’ll just have to talk about it.” Talking about it is good and necessary, but to leave it at that has missed the point entirely. It is not simply that feelings were hurt; it goes far deeper than that. If we allow this material to slide, it creates an even more hostile environment to people of color on this campus, as well as the rest of the Vassar community. This is a struggle that we have been fighting for a long time, and it will not end with the simple reprimand of one inflammatory publication. This is part of a larger struggle against racism at Vassar and outside of it.

While many of us feel disappointed at best, betrayed at worst, by the measures taken by the VSA, there is also a feeling of hope. Many people are coming together to address these grievances and in so forcing a small measure of accountability by making the authors come out from behind their pseudonyms and face those whom they are targeting. It is also bringing those who feel harmed by this together in a common struggle. Let us now set the tone for ourselves and, when the time for dialogue comes, speak strongly and frame the debate now, before others do it for us, as so often happens. We won’t let this slide. While the resolution has been passed, this issue is not yet settled.

—Nicole Nemergut ’06