University Introduces Controversial Group For White Students

I’m really surprised by this. Granted, I still think it’s stupid, but I never thought I’d see the day. Isn’t a safe space for white people “racist”?

Just playing the Devil’s advocate here.

According to Campus Reform, the University of Maryland-College Park announced “a new diversity support group to create a ‘safe space’ for white students to discuss their feelings about ‘interactions with racial and ethnic minorities.'”

The support group was called “White Awake,” and I’m just wondering if that’s a play off of being “woke.” Is it? I guess I’m not hip enough to know.

“This group offers a safe space for White students to explore their experiences, questions, reactions, and feelings,” the description explains. “Members will support and share feedback with each other as they learn more about themselves and how they can fit into a diverse world.”

The description asks students if they want to “improve [their] ability to relate to and connect with people different from [themselves]” or if they want to become a better “ally.” The new group is now one of four in the university’s “Diversity Issues” program series.

This is all so unnecessary and dumb. Can’t we just interact with people as PEOPLE? Why must we always analyze race? Can’t we just have normal conversations with people and carry on with our day?

The announcement sparked mixed reactions.

I am ashamed over the execution of white awake nor do I fully understand its clause. “How they can fit into a diverse world”? Why do they need to attend therapy sessions on how to be a decent human being in society? Why do they need to have these sessions to learn how to coexist? pic.twitter.com/AaPOLz05vu

— Alysa Conway (@LoveConweezy27) September 13, 2018

i truly wish they didn't use the term safe space, but apparently the facilitators will be POCs so it'll be interesting. https://t.co/3YGQKZyFXs

— pan(Σexual) dulce 🏳️‍🌈🇸🇻 ☸️ (@jocelyn_dotcom) September 13, 2018

But your fine with BET, right? And Black music awards…right? HYPOCRITE!

— Rich Santana (@RichSantana8) September 14, 2018

It’ll be interesting, but it would make sense if the event was invited towards the public not necessarily just whites because then their level of understanding is subjected towards the facilitators not a realistic level of including both the facilitators and their collegiate

— Alysa Conway (@LoveConweezy27) September 13, 2018

But I admit, the fact that facilitators are people of color does put it in a better light. However, the execution of everything still might be poor because it will just be a sea of people with potentially one option & for sure lack of oppression yelling at facilitators

— Alysa Conway (@LoveConweezy27) September 13, 2018

Not feel the burden. I’d be interested to see also if the few white people that do come out to Black UMD events join in on the conversation cause they could check people and give their own perspective

— pan(Σexual) dulce 🏳️‍🌈🇸🇻 ☸️ (@jocelyn_dotcom) September 13, 2018

Just like classes. You can’t take one class and feel like you have all understanding over a certain subject. It takes practice, it takes problems, it takes more than one course, so “White Awake” has good intention but I am skeptical over the fairytale result.

— Alysa Conway (@LoveConweezy27) September 13, 2018

My eyes are glazing over. We seriously need to go through a racial interactions boot camp now? JUST BE NORMAL and TREAT PEOPLE NORMALLY. This isn’t complicated. Stop looking for reasons to be offended.

Wait. There’s more. After Campus Reform published its post, the university changed the name of the group altogether. It’s now the “Anti-Racism and Ally Building Group.” The description now reads, “Do you want to improve your ability to relate to and connect with people different from yourself? Do you want to become a better ally? Members will support and share feedback with each other as they learn more about themselves and how they can fit into a diverse world.”

This is still stupid. My opinion remains unchanged.