Fliers in a clearer sky

Recent events have made the Boise State University Cultural Center and its coordinator, Ro Parker, the center of a controversy. Weeks ago, an unknown person spread fliers in the student union building that sported images taken from Parker’s personal profile on Facebook.com. During the time since, Parker and the Cultural Center have received numerous hateful e-mails and letters. The event has been mistaken for other flier distributions, many reacted to the images without understanding the context and many disputed the appropriateness of the picture.

“What is disheartening about this episode is the outrage momentum directed at Ro based solely upon the most negative possible interpretation of the existence of this graphic on Ro’s Facebook page,” director of student diversity and inclusion Francisco Salinas said.

Responses to the situation ranged from complete understanding of Parker’s intentions to heated attacks. Several aspects of the entire situation proved confusing and misunderstood by many.

Flier Confusion

Many have connected these fliers with others previously distributed on the BSU campus. In December, fliers that targeted African Americans and homosexuals were spread that created an enormous response from BSU students. They inspired a rally, student and media responses and ignited discussions.

The fliers distributed in January that involve Ro Parker questioned the appropriateness of a picture (completely separate from the other fliers) on her personal profile on Facebook.com. Though Parker intended it to spark a discussion about sexism, racism and identity development, the image alone could be seen as racist and inappropriate.

The police spoke to the individual who spread the December fliers and decided he did not break any laws. The distribution in the SUB, however, violated the building’s solicitation policy.

“Our number one goal is to make this building safe and comfortable for all students, and this individual has violated that right. If they return, I will issue a citation,” student union director Jack Rahmann said. Soliciting is allowed in the SUB, but the time, place and manner are controlled by the student union.

To understand these events, Boise State students and the public must understand the distinction between previous fliers and those pertaining to Ro Parker.

Flier Controversy

Many believe the image to be one that illustrates her personal beliefs, which would contradict her actions and standpoints as coordinator of the cultural center. Some feel the image inappropriate considering Parker’s status as one the major voices for diversity at Boise State University — or as a representative of the school in general. One comment on a past article about the issue stated “I have seen the flier printed in The Arbiter and am outraged that such a picture would find its way to the Facebook account of an ambassador for diversity for Boise State.”

Other comments include, verbatim: “By being dumb enough to have a picture like that on your facebook, you have guarunteed being taken out of context,” and also, “if you hve something like this on a public social networking site and you are the director of a center that was setup to educate individuals about hateful and negative points of view and to provide a safe place for people to go to escape that same ignorant and out of date attitude, than you should probably pull your head out of your ass and at least have some kind of description and, or statement posted with a picture such as this.”

Others, however, believe there is more to the story and feel that a basic understanding could easily clarify and justify Parker’s intentions. One major concern expressed on the issue was the level of understanding the public achieved before forming opinions on the matter and making demands, which at times were as bold enough to call for Parker’s dismissal.

“Before people jump to conclusions I urge them to dig a little deeper on this issue, and have the audacity to fully analyze the implications of this picture,” ASBSU Senator Chase Johnson said. “Of course if one is to act on the subject matter of the picture immediately the reaction will be negative; however, if one considered the context as articulated by Ro, I think it gets to the heart of the issue.”

Parker’s Response

“I am in complete understanding of how someone can look at the picture that has been circulated so widely… and have a strong emotional reaction to it. And if it truly was reflective of my personal sentiment, then I could understand the concern that surrounds this. But I want to make it very clear that this is not my personal sentiment. I believe that students need to hear this after the damage this flier has caused… This picture was taken off my personal Facebook page out of context. It was out of context because the account was only three days old. I had created it with the intent to come back later to add text and more pictures. This page was in no way ready for people to look at. This, coupled with the fact that I did not consider privacy settings, created a situation that without context would seem confusing at best… I do however, understand the nature of offense and I understand that there are students out there that saw the picture on the fliers and are offended. The apology that I freely offer is to those students that because of the lack of context surrounding the picture were offended based on an erroneous assumption that this reflected my personal sentiment. It does not.”

*To read the full response of Ro Parker, as well as Francisco Salinas, please visit arbiteronline.com.

Flier results

Parker testified before the ASBSU senate, responded to students via The Arbiter and took time to respond to comments posted on past articles. Parker, as well as Senator Chase Johnson and members of the BSA among others extended invitations to speak with any student with concerns about this, or any, situation.

“The Cultural Center is not here to stifle anyone’s perspectives, nor is it here to silence anyone’s views. We encourage open discussions about issues important to all students,” Parker said. “This will naturally include students that have perspectives different from one another.  The Cultural Center welcomes that and I also welcome that.”

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Posted by Arbiter Staff on Mar 2 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.