Affinity Groups: A Safe Space
September 15, 2014
Patrick Elliot
*This was written before the Assembly on Affinity Groups and is in no way a response to those events.
“Affinity groups” is a term that has been echoing off the walls in the Upper School for the past couple of years. Although they have existed in our school for quite some time, they’ve gained popularity lately. There is no doubt in my mind that every teacher in our school knows what an affinity group is. In fact, last year, heads of affinity groups, including me, were asked to speak on a panel in front of faculty to explain what the groups meant to us. ASA, BSU, LASO, and The Cause all had different reasons for what made their affinity group special to them. However, one word seemed to constantly come up: familiarity. Affinity groups are a place where people can talk about their issues with other people who may be experiencing something similar, or even identical, to them.
It’s hard for a lot of the student body to understand the point of an affinity group. Many times I have been in conversations with people who question my affiliation with Black Student Union. Some have asked, “What do you do in the black club? Why do you even need one? Do you hate white people?” Such questions don’t bother me at this point, because a lot of times people are just afraid of the unknown. White students don’t know what takes place within ASA, BSU, or LASO, but I can guarantee it’s not what some of them think. It’s a place of community. As amazing of a school as Latin is, sometimes you deal with issues that only people of similar backgrounds can understand and relate to.
At least a few times a year since I was a freshman I have heard other classmates question the lack of a “white student union.” They’ve argued that if there are groups for other races, why isn’t there one for the white kids. Whenever I hear these comments I laugh it off, but now I am going to address it:
Affinity groups help communities of underrepresented people feel like they aren’t just individuals. Being at a place where you do not see many people that look like you can be extremely discouraging. I know it was discouraging to me when I came here back in 6th grade (and honestly, it still is). Inside of these groups we talk about our family, our culture and anything else that we may have in common. It is not a place for us to just “trash white people.” Now let me be clear, if there is an issue that comes up about racism in or outside our school we will not hesitate to discuss it and figure out a solution. But, discussing other races is not our objective.
Wanting a place where you can feel as safe as a white person and communicate with those similar to you is an understandable request. However, don’t you see that you already have that safe haven? It exists in your neighborhoods; it exists in our school; it exists without anyone ever physically creating it into the world. It is society, and until you realize that the world you live in already favors you, and provides you with privilege then we, as a human race, will never unite as one people. In other words, your request for a white student union was answered a long time ago; it’s called the Latin School of Chicago, and more specifically, the United States of America.]]>
tcalvin • Sep 17, 2014 at 8:26 pm
If there were to be a white affinity group it would have to include an intensive education about what racism today is. Getting a group of white students to sit down and talk about something they don’t really know about is scary and could very well turn into a place to talk about their white privilege. It’s just a little scary to think about how badly it could go.
wnuelle • Sep 17, 2014 at 4:11 am
Ok, fair enough. Racism is not black and white (no pun intended). But doesn’t that support my opinion then that we need everyone to be engaging in discussions with each other about how to fix this?
So anyway Gianna, do you think that a white student affinity group doesn’t NEED to exist or are you fundamentally against the creation of one?
gmiller • Sep 17, 2014 at 3:58 am
Completely agree that racism separates, thus hurting us all. My remaining speculation about a white affinity group is its ability to self evaluate and notice the racism that still occurs at Latin. Racism is a lot subtler than it once was, there aren’t students (at least I hope) that are outright racist. We don’t have people going down the halls professing their hate for black people or calling for separate bathrooms. Racism at Latin is inadvertent and a lot harder to see, making it difficult to tackle. I just don’t think it’s possible for a white affinity group to notice their racist tendencies because they are non purposeful and done unconsciously.
wnuelle • Sep 17, 2014 at 3:08 am
You’re right, white people are not at all negatively affected by racism. I didn’t think long enough about my statement and the implications of it before I wrote it. White people specifically don’t have to deal with the negative effects of racism at all. However, we all are collectively worse off because of the very existence of racism. Racism keeps people apart. So if that means white students meeting to talk about how to change the white culture at Latin so that we don’t perpetuate racist norms, then I think that is a good enough reason to have an affinity group. Everyone’s in this together trying to get rid of racism in our school and there are things white students NEED to change if we ever hope to get rid of racism.
gmiller • Sep 17, 2014 at 2:54 am
Will–
I’m glad to hear your reasoning behind why you would like a white affinity group. What I was referring to in my previous post, was the only commentary I had heard from white students regarding a white affinity group. Believe me when I say, it’s great (and a relief) to hear that there are people who actually want an affinity group to benefit from it, rather than for the sake of having one.
I have a problem with the latter half of your statement, though. White people are not negatively affected by racism. Period. I am not blaming or trying to make anyone feel shameful when I say that, but it’s the truth. I don’t see why you would need an exclusive space to talk about the white experience at Latin where majority of the students are white. What negative racial issues do white people face at Latin?
I understand that you may want a white affinity group to discuss race and racism without having to fear how it may come off to minorities, but I completely disagree if you want it as a space to discuss the white experience at Latin, because from a racial standpoint, it’s a good one.
jbuchana • Sep 16, 2014 at 2:23 pm
I could not agree with you more Patrick. Personally, I cannot imagine that a white affinity group would help to bring our community together.
wnuelle • Sep 16, 2014 at 3:29 am
Gianna,
I disagree that white students wanting an affinity group is a product of jealousy — that students of color have one and white students don’t and so that’s the only reason why white students would want one. Personally I am in favor of an affinity group for white students because, while in the majority at Latin, it gives white students the chance to participate in the conversations about race that are so necessary right now. If we can foster discussion that includes as many people in our community as possible then maybe we can change the disconnect between how students of color feel about the Latin experience and how white students feel about the Latin experience. Issues of race are only going to be fixed when we have everyone working together.
Also, I don’t think it is fair to discount the need for whites to talk about their experiences in a safe space. As many people said on stage, it is comforting to know that others share a common experience. And, yeah, it should be recognized that white students have it easier at Latin than students of color, but why should we ignore a group’s experiences just because they are “easier” relative to another group; they might be easier, but they are still issues.
White students need an affinity group. We need to have open forums for everyone in the community to talk about the issues of race they see at Latin. How else will we fix things?
gmiller • Sep 16, 2014 at 3:07 am
nice Patrick! So far the only reason white students seem to want an affinity group is because all the minorities have one and they don’t. On that basis, I don’t think white students need an affinity group. However, I would love to hear opinions on why white students feel they need an affinity group.
igius • Sep 16, 2014 at 12:13 am
Thank you for this article. Seriously. It’s exactly what I’ve been thinking about since the assembly, and I hoped I’d see something like this in the new Forum issue.