Discriminatory Incidents Currently on Display in the Bias Gallery
Julia Agresto
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: News
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Every year at the University of New Hampshire, beginning in the fall, a new crop of intolerance, hate and ignorance is harvested. The seeds are carefully planted when nobody is paying attention, and then, suddenly, the crop sprouts and soon is growing out of control, thriving on the new layer of prejudice-rich manure and soil that has been laid down. And, every year at UNH, the campus community has a chance to view and reflect on this new crop that has been cultivated.
Each year, UNH's Office of Residential Life brings the Bias Gallery; a collection of discriminatory incidents that have occurred on campus over the last couple of years to the dorms, and the gallery is currently making its way across campus. It has already been featured in several dorms within the past week or so and still has several more to visit. The gallery is part of the Diversity Engagement section of the University's Mission Statement. According to a document on the Office of Residential Life's website, the Bias Gallery is something that should be shown in every dorm at least once a year and is "very powerful."
The Bias Gallery is essentially a collection of photographs of bias-related incidents that have taken place at UNH, mainly within the dorms. The gallery is typically set up in a dorm lounge, where students walk through silently, viewing and reflecting on the acts of discrimination displayed.
Jay Tifone, hall director of Jessie Doe Hall, has a lot of knowledge about the Bias Gallery as a UNH Residential Life faculty member, and feels that it is significant for students to view.
"I think it's important for students to see the Bias Gallery because it's a tangible example of the ignorance and hate that occurs across campus," Tifone said. "I often hear students say as they're leaving, 'I had no idea that this happened on campus.' If you're in a majority group and your friends are too you might never see such discrimination occurring."
A document released by UNH's Affirmative Action and Equity Office states that, between Nov. 5, 2006 and Apr. 15, 2007, there were 39 bias or hate incidents reported on the UNH campus. --28 of which occurred in the residence halls and 30 of these incidents were perpetrated by UNH students.
Each year, UNH's Office of Residential Life brings the Bias Gallery; a collection of discriminatory incidents that have occurred on campus over the last couple of years to the dorms, and the gallery is currently making its way across campus. It has already been featured in several dorms within the past week or so and still has several more to visit. The gallery is part of the Diversity Engagement section of the University's Mission Statement. According to a document on the Office of Residential Life's website, the Bias Gallery is something that should be shown in every dorm at least once a year and is "very powerful."
The Bias Gallery is essentially a collection of photographs of bias-related incidents that have taken place at UNH, mainly within the dorms. The gallery is typically set up in a dorm lounge, where students walk through silently, viewing and reflecting on the acts of discrimination displayed.
Jay Tifone, hall director of Jessie Doe Hall, has a lot of knowledge about the Bias Gallery as a UNH Residential Life faculty member, and feels that it is significant for students to view.
"I think it's important for students to see the Bias Gallery because it's a tangible example of the ignorance and hate that occurs across campus," Tifone said. "I often hear students say as they're leaving, 'I had no idea that this happened on campus.' If you're in a majority group and your friends are too you might never see such discrimination occurring."
A document released by UNH's Affirmative Action and Equity Office states that, between Nov. 5, 2006 and Apr. 15, 2007, there were 39 bias or hate incidents reported on the UNH campus. --28 of which occurred in the residence halls and 30 of these incidents were perpetrated by UNH students.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Jason
posted 10/22/07 @ 11:54 AM EST
Will there be displays of people forcing smokers outside in the cold from bars that they enjoy? Didn't think so.
Is
posted 10/22/07 @ 2:16 PM EST
Don't worry Jason, just as soon as they get those displays up for how horrible it is of us to lock up people for having committed murder.
Is
posted 10/22/07 @ 3:13 PM EST
Oh, I forgot - you're also behind those who are harshly exiled to the bathroom to dispense of human waste.
Hannah
posted 10/23/07 @ 8:13 AM EST
Forgive me if I'm wrong. I understand that some of these incidents are really offensive, and really terrible words or true hate. I get that. But do you really have to take a picture of the penis or the boobs drawn on someone's board and call it a bias incident? Really? Lets just call it an over reaction. (Continued…)
Is
posted 10/23/07 @ 11:31 AM EST
Forgiven
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