McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, held its "Inaugural Black Graduation Celebration" on June 13.
In layman's terms, this was a segregated graduation ceremony because apparently, re-segregating society is the way to combat racism...
The University's website says the event "bring[s] together students, family, friends, facuilty and community partners" to celebrate "Black-identifying students."
The ceremony segregated students based on the color of their skin and we're supposed to see this is NOT racist, for some reason.
The University's Black Student Success Centre manager Faith Ogunkoya claims the event was important to promote the "ecosystem of black student success" at the school because McMaster is a "predominately white institution".
"It was very much about mitigating that social isolation that happens when you feel — in a predominately white institution — you're outnumbered, it's good for you to look around and see yourself," Ogunkoya told the CBC, adding that the ceremony took four weeks of effort to put together.
Students were asked to register for the ceremony and the school would only accept students, faculty, and community members who, well, passed the test, I guess.
I don't know what was on that registration form but it makes me wonder... what if a student is of mixed race? What if a parent does not identify as black? Too bad, you can't see your kid graduate after spending tens of thousands on their education (just to have them end up in a segregated graduation ceremony)!
Re-segregating society. That's where we're at.
This type of gross identity politics is new for McMaster but it's not something new on your side of the border.
Last year, Columbia University had six separate graduation ceremonies which segregated students by race, income, sexuality, and ethnicity.
Personally, I think this is all insane. But that might be my white privilege talking – how could I even think of segregating people by their skin color as a negative thing!
I am sure this will leave us all to be more open, inclusive, and supportive people. 🙃
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