At a public forum on Wednesday night, “Blackface and its Effect on Student Relations,” ETSU students, faculty and staff discussed the implications of the recent “blackface incident,” as well as broader racial tensions on campus.
About 100 people met in the Culp Center to chime in about the incident and its effect on student relations. In an “emotional discussion,” as anticipated by moderator Keith Johnson, six panelists hosted a discussion that lasted for more than an hour and a half.
“This gathering of students was the first step in the process,” Johnson said. “We wanted to hear your thoughts and reactions.”
Thoughts and reactions varied greatly. Comments moved swiftly between people who were not offended by the incident and people who were offended, with a great variety of opinions in between. Students talked about their initial reactions to the “blackface incident,” in which five members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity dressed in blackface at a Halloween party on Oct. 25 to portray “rappers.”
A few days after the incident, the Office of Greek Life discovered photos of the fraternity members on the Internet.
As a result, Sigma Phi Epsilon underwent two diversity training sessions, each lasting two and a half hours. In the spring semester, all the members of Greek life will undergo similar training.
The incident ignited debate on campus because of the historical, racial implications of blackface. Blackface has a long history, said master’s student and forum panelist Jared Story, and some “serious consequences.”
Story gave a history of blackface, saying that it was used for a long period of time to demean blacks and to promote negative stereotypes, and also to promote white privilege.
“I share the same regional and conservative background as many of the fraternity and young men on this campus,” Story said, adding that eventually he began the process of educating himself and built relationships with people who were outside of his own race.
Some fraternity men and non-Greeks at the event said that the actions were done without racist intent, and therefore should not be punished.
“To us it doesn’t matter,” said panelist Ash-Lee Henderson of the intent of the actions by the fraternity members. “It still contributes to the functionality of racism, and that is problematic.”
Philippa Lahai-Swaray asked how the black members of Sigma Phi Epsilon felt about the incident, and how it affects the fraternity’s image on campus. The two black fraternity members who were present said that they “didn’t care.”
This resulted in heated responses from other audience members. ETSU student Cheryl Williams said, “You represent your fraternity and your fraternity members should have represented you. . Did they not disrespect you by doing that?”
Student Dave Killebrew said he “wouldn’t be offended” if a black student dressed as a white politician or musician.
Sophomore Ebony Johnson said, “Who are you to tell me that I shouldn’t be offended about something concerning my history and my culture?”
Henderson responded, “It was from a place of entertainment and that’s great – except the joke is on me and my culture.”
Sig Ep member Aaron Malone spoke during the end of the discussion.
“In my opinion, imitation is the highest form of flattery,” said Sig Ep member Aaron Malone. “These men were not trying to be racist.”
Malone added that the fraternity members did not know the history of blackface, or why it might be offensive, but he added that diversity training as made the members “more aware.”
At the end of the lecture, Dean of Students Joe Sherlin said that this would be the first of many discussions that will resume next semester.
“We know there is work to be done in our student community and campus community,” Sherlin said.

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