Dear Editor,

I’m not being extra. In today’s world, with everything that is going on, we need to be more aware. Women of color have been having their voices ignored since the very foundation of this country. It happens on major levels (cough cough Kavanaugh) every day.

But fam, it happens on even the smallest of levels that we aren’t even fully cognizant of. We say phrases and make taglines that seem completely harmless without giving respect to the accomplishments of the strong women, especially of color, who have earned them. The Daily Orange released a video entitled “Student Association presidents outline mental health Initiatives.” This probably doesn’t seem like a big deal. And to most, it’s not.

The initiative is awesome, I encourage you all to check it out. Both Student Association President Ghufran Salih and Vice President Kyle Rosenblum, are amazing student leaders, on top of being world class people. The problem lies in the title “Student Association presidents.”

This is the first instance in SA’s long history, or the first that this fifth-year grad student can recall, where the President is a woman of color, and the Vice President is a white male. We’ve had such strong women as VP. From the legendary Danielle Lopez, to the incomparable Joyce LaLonde.

Their roles as VP were always mentioned. It did not inhibit the work they accomplished, or diminish the recognition they received, but it was always mentioned, as if to put an asterisk with their accomplishments.

Luckily they were two stars whose lights could not be put out by ignorant phrasing. This is not always the case for women busting their asses in a patriarchal society.

I challenge you all to ask yourselves, if Ghufran was VP and Kyle was President would the title be the same? Straight up we all need to be more aware.

Me included; I say patronizing phrases I have been conditioned to say all the time without being aware of their true historical meaning. However, an esteemed news outlet like the D.O. should do better, they should be better. We always talk about empowering, and listening to women of color as if they are not there. Well our wish has come true. Salih, an intelligent, passionate woman of color was elected by the student body to be President of our institution. Let’s give her, and all women, the respect they deserve.

Sincerely,

Obi Afriyie

Syracuse Class of 2018 Alum

Published on October 2, 2018 at 7:20 pm