Dean of Students Affairs Robert Flot sent an email to students regarding a “Pocahontas and John Smith” themed party that took place off campus shortly before Thanksgiving break, leaving the issue of cultural appropriation in the thoughts of many students.
“The actions were culturally insensitive, at best, in donning Native American costumes,” Flot said in the November 21 email. Photos of the party posted on social media sites featured Lake Forest College students wearing “headdresses and other stereotypically Native American apparel,” said the Dean. Louisa Van Akkeren ’18 thinks cultural appropriation is an issue on campus. “I would say it’s not overt. You don’t really see it that often. But if you go on like Yik Yak, you see it a lot,” she said.
Though the “Pocahontas and John Smith” party was one instance of cultural appropriation, this is an issue seen throughout the year on different occasions— especially when costumes are involved, according to Van Akkeren. Van Akkeren suspects these events, even if unintentionally careless, are damaging. “I feel like, at this point, there are so many resources on campus and so many things everywhere that talk about [cultural appropriation], that people should kind of have some idea that what they’re doing is not right,” Van Akkeren said.
Flot said he first learned about the party on Friday, November 20, one day after it took place. “I have very few details…aside from seeing some social media photos,” he said in an email interview. “I was disappointed by the photos. I have very few details about the party, aside from seeing some social media photos of Lake Forest College students wearing what appear to be Native American costumes.
While I’m not in a position to answer…exactly why these students chose to engage in this type of behavior, I can say that I was disappointed by the photos.” The community standards section of the Student Handbook doesn’t explicitly refer to cultural appropriation, but states “we are all accountable for how our actions affect others.” This calls on each student at the College to try to avoid acting in ways that demean or disrespect other members of the campus community.
For students looking to further their understanding of the issue of cultural appropriation and to learn how to limit it in the future, there are several options on campus. “Go to some of the clubs that deal with gender, sexuality, race,” said Van Akkeren. “Go to SWAN if you want to learn about feminism, go to UBA or Latinos Unidos.” All of these clubs meet regularly and welcome all students to join.
