Featured in the article on Thursday, “‘Cinco de Mifflin’ Met with Ethical Questions” was the organization Badgers Against Racism. We are appreciative of having our story heard and would like to take the opportunity to write to the campus community the mission of our organization.
As members of the UW-Madison community we strive to create a learning environment that promotes social justice education, cultural awareness and respect. We should be able to participate in traditions like Mifflin without promoting stereotypes that dehumanize our peers. In order to ensure Badger solidarity, we must educate ourselves so that we can make conscious decisions to continue our traditions without objectifying and disrespecting a community. Although you may mean well, intentions do not always align with the impact. Badgers Against Racism is not against Mifflin, just “Cinco de Mifflin.” Mifflin can be celebrated while remaining respectful.
As badgers we are respectful: we do not make a costume out of a culture in a society where not all cultures are valued equally. We also recognize that “Cinco de Mifflin” promotes stereotypical thinking which can lead to serious hate crimes, such as the death of Trayvon Martin, and other more local examples. This summer there was a mock-lynching on Langdon Street Last month, people at the Delta Upsilon fraternity house yelled out racial slurs and threw a glass bottle at two African-American women who were walking across the lawn outside the house. These are not isolated incidences of racism and this is not okay. If you know something hurts someone, why would you do it? Hold yourself accountable for your actions and their impacts and recognize that making a difference starts with you.
To find out more about the significance of Cinco de Mayo and why conflating it with Mifflin is hurtful go to, visit our twitter at UWagainstracism or visit our Facebook page at Badgers Against Racism.
Badgers Against Racism is an organization that is dedicated to fighting racial stereotypes on campus. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
