When ""Teach Me How to Bucky"" played on the big screen for the first time at the Minnesota Homecoming football game, I cheered and applauded in joy at this affirmation of just how wonderful my school is. It was clear that the thousands of other students felt similarly as we tightened our bonds in a sea of red school spirit.
How could anyone say anything against it? The video had all the Madison icons of our age: Chancellor Biddy Martin, UW Band Director Mike Leckrone and even the Piccolo Man. Yes, it assured any doubters that Bucky is the coolest school mascot in the Big Ten. Yes, I find myself bobbing to the beat. But do I think this video justly represents our school in its entirety and should therefore be used by our administration as a way to draw in applicants? No.
First of all, I would like to say that I am in no way criticizing the students who made this video. They are a fantastic representation of the creative minds UW-Madison nurtures—props to them.
My problem is that, if this video is used as a marketing tool for our university, it only targets a very specific audience—white kids. As was brought to my attention during a discussion in my Theater 357 class, there is not one student of a different race in the video, making it entirely void of diversity.
Don't get me wrong, I know that these kids made the video with their friends and there was no reason for them to seek out a true representation of Madison's demographics. They already went above and beyond by putting the video together as it is. The demographics of the video only start to matter when it turns into a recruitment tool. And while thousands of views and comments on YouTube and Facebook make it clear that this video has encouraged many to apply to the university this fall, I'm concerned it is discouraging others who feel they don't match the type of UW students portrayed in the song.
As full as Wisconsin is with parties, football and school spirit, our institution also incorporates academics and diversity. We don't all rage hardcore every weekend and, heaven forbid, not all students care that UW-Madison is a Big Ten school. We can be proud that this video exposes the sweetest band director to ever live and a chancellor who can actually relate to her students while reminding students to be thankful for the characters we've grown to know and love on State Street.
But what this video is lacking is any of the amazing student orgs that make things happen on campus every day. Or any of our other Division I sports teams that have years of titles and trophies to their names. And what about the other music programs on campus like choir and orchestra? By watching ""Teach Me How to Bucky,"" a prospective student will see the spirit and school pride that this university embodies, but they don't see any of the other components UW-Madison brings to the table.
Badger fans can be proud to say that this parody-gone-viral came from their school or their state, but viewers must keep in mind that students at UW-Madison are not all white, football-loving, hip-hop listening partygoers who need to learn how to Bucky.
So let the world see what Madison's mascot is capable of. Let them wish that they went to this school if they do not already, but let us also continue to defy the inaccurate Wisconsinite stereotype portrayed in this video. When it comes to recruiting fresh faces, our administration shouldn't rely on a video that only focuses on one aspect of our university.
It should depend on if they have something valid to contribute to our campus family and if they want to embrace the spirit of this school no matter how they decide to show it. ""Teach Me How to Bucky"" is a great video, but it must be taken as a grain of salt along with the billions of other perks this university has to offer.
Jaime Brackeen is a sophomore majoring in journalism. We welcome all feedbakc. Please send your responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
