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Race questions in SMU survey raise questions about school’s intent
Posted
May 18, 2018
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May 18, 2018
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2:40Now PlayingSMU is raising some eyebrows with a survey urging students to "ask anything" on race.
The survey came with a warning that some questions may seem offensive or illogical, but some are questioning the university's intent.
Some of the questions are striking a nerve with people. But the survey is a part of SMU’s Cultural Intelligence Initiative. Those behind it say part of the goal is to start a conversation.
Hot-button questions from an SMU survey aimed at educating students on cultural intelligence included questions like “Why do black people need a Black History Month?" and “Why are black women always so angry?"
Another question aimed toward Asian-Americans asked, “Is your vision impaired by your eyelids?"
The questions come from the SMU community. The university’s Cultural Intelligence Initiative asked students, faculty, and staff to anonymously submit questions they've wanted to ask but were too afraid to ask.
“I think it definitely starts a conversation that needs to be had on this campus,” said student Isabel Costian. “Because we've had a lot of issues with racism. If you look at the demographics, it's pretty sad.”
Members of campus minority student groups were also asked the racial questions they've heard in the past that may have upset them.
“People aren't sure what to say, what not to say,” said Maria Dixon Hall, a senior advisor for the Cultural Intelligence Initiative. “And a lot of it comes from a fear of asking questions. So what we want to do is take the fear out of the questions.”
“We have created sort of this politeness dance that leads to inauthentic conversations in which there are trip wires everywhere of offense,” she said.
The university plans to use the survey results as background for future workshops with students.
“If we're able to answer the question and then explain to people why the question is or may be seen as offensive, then what we've done is we've educated individuals,” Hall said. “That's our goal.”
This isn't the end of surveys like it at SMU. The plan to do other similar surveys on religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.
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