Correction appended
Last night, Rainbow Roundtable screened the film "Ethnic Notions" followed by a discussion on the history of blackface in the HUB-Robeson Center Auditorium.
The event was held in response to an incident at the Oct. 30 Masqueerade Ball held by Rainbow Roundtable -- where a student dressed in blackface without knowing its historically offensive meaning.
English professors Phyllisa Smith Deroze and Mahpiua Deas moderated the discussion, with president of Rainbow Roundtable Stephen Lucas (senior-English) and director and co-director of the LGBTQA Student Resource Center, Allison Subasic and Claire Gonyo were present.
The film "Ethnic Notions" was a documented history of blackface and prejudice in America, starting from the Civil War and bringing the topic into a modern-day context. In the film, images from cartoons, films, advertisements and musicals were featured, documenting the long, painful history of blackface.
After the film was viewed, Deroze and Deas started the discussion, asking the audience about their impressions of the film.
"Things like blackface become perpetuated to become more realistic stereotypes -- I see how things have been brought down from history," Paul John (senior-political science) said. "I see these stereotypes every day."
Subasic pointed out that people may be unaware of blackface because of their generation: one that hasn't had to deal with overt racism such as in the Civil War period or in the Civil Rights era would not necessarily know the offensive context.
Santwon Hines (junior-business management) pointed out that those who are prejudiced against and those who feel prejudiced can equally be blamed. He said in modern times, it's common for African Americans to play to their stereotypes for comedic purposes, so the ignorance is on both sides.
The idea that we are not educated enough about the history of the United States, including history of African Americans, was strongly felt at the event.
"Not until I saw this film did I understand the history and context of blackface ... I was angry that myself and other people didn't know enough about it," Gonyo said.
Keiwana Jones (graduate-adult education), who is the Penn State National Panhellenic Council's adviser, was expecting more students to attend. She said she hopes that this "introduction" to blackface will spark more interest in learning the history and impact of blackface.
Correction: This article incorrectly stated the group Keiwana Jones advises. She is adviser of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).
