Comments on: BSA’s Final Honors Ceremony Movie http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/ Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:21:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Rob Gregory http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-10885 Rob Gregory Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:46:35 +0000 http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/#comment-10885 hi e2de411uebv04jlj good luck hi
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]]> By: Burton Solomon http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-10884 Burton Solomon Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:32:01 +0000 http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/#comment-10884 hi e2de411uebv04jlj good luck hi
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good luck

]]> By: creque http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-4771 creque Fri, 05 May 2006 01:03:21 +0000 http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/#comment-4771 Thank you Mike for your comment. As a current student participating in the ceremony, I am well aware of the issues that you raised in your post. In some ways, the title of the blog post was inaccurate, in that the name of the ceremony has been changed from BSA's Black Graduation Ceremony to the Final Honors Ceremony. This name change occurred about two years ago when objections were made that the title of this ceremony seemed to suggest a self-segregation mentality. Another reason for the name change is that this ceremony is not meant to exclude others. This year there are various individuals from different ethnic groups who associate with the black community who were invited to participate in the ceremony, receive stoles and a memory book as a graduation gift - like other students in the ceremony. And on self-segregation: This ceremony is meant to provide a final outlet during graduation for self-identified members of Duke's black community to convene one last time before official graduation ceremonies the following morning. In no way is this final honors ceremony a replacement for the Wallace Wade graduation practices held the following morning. I apologize for the use of the old 'black grad' name. I have since renamed the title of this post. I am sorry for the confusion. Thank you Mike for your comment. As a current student participating in the ceremony, I am well aware of the issues that you raised in your post.

In some ways, the title of the blog post was inaccurate, in that the name of the ceremony has been changed from BSA’s Black Graduation Ceremony to the Final Honors Ceremony. This name change occurred about two years ago when objections were made that the title of this ceremony seemed to suggest a self-segregation mentality.

Another reason for the name change is that this ceremony is not meant to exclude others. This year there are various individuals from different ethnic groups who associate with the black community who were invited to participate in the ceremony, receive stoles and a memory book as a graduation gift – like other students in the ceremony.

And on self-segregation: This ceremony is meant to provide a final outlet during graduation for self-identified members of Duke’s black community to convene one last time before official graduation ceremonies the following morning.

In no way is this final honors ceremony a replacement for the Wallace Wade graduation practices held the following morning.

I apologize for the use of the old ‘black grad’ name. I have since renamed the title of this post. I am sorry for the confusion.

]]> By: Mike http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-4770 Mike Fri, 05 May 2006 00:31:00 +0000 http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/#comment-4770 I came across this site while doing some research on diversity measures being used at universities. As an alum, I just want to express my disappointment that the so-called “Black Graduation” ceremony continues. I have no problem explaining that as a white male who is race-blind and who strives for ethnic and cultural communication and celebration, I am saddened that well-educated, dynamic students are comfortable self-segregating and separating themselves from other Duke graduates. I am not one of those idiots who thinks that a good way to express my frustration is to have a “White graduation”, because I think there is certainly some merit to minorities gathering to encourage and celebrate each other. Thus, I don’t know exactly where I stand, but I hope that black students remember that those excluded from the title of the ceremony itself may feel resentment and rejection. I realize that our society is not yet race-blind and opportunities are not yet equal for all people, but explicit self-segregation is a self-centered way of looking at the inequities. It may be the more comfortable thing to do just because of the inherently segregated society that we grew up in, but the more difficult choice of self-integration may allow us to achieve our ultimate goal. We just have to decide what our ultimate goal really is. Is it short-term comfort? Or is it long-term enrichment, peace, understanding, and reconciliation? And remember the cultural connections that we can all share in - art, music, religion, food, etc. All of these things can be shared in a race-neutral, inclusive way. I came across this site while doing some research on diversity measures being used at universities. As an alum, I just want to express my disappointment that the so-called “Black Graduation” ceremony continues. I have no problem explaining that as a white male who is race-blind and who strives for ethnic and cultural communication and celebration, I am saddened that well-educated, dynamic students are comfortable self-segregating and separating themselves from other Duke graduates. I am not one of those idiots who thinks that a good way to express my frustration is to have a “White graduation”, because I think there is certainly some merit to minorities gathering to encourage and celebrate each other. Thus, I don’t know exactly where I stand, but I hope that black students remember that those excluded from the title of the ceremony itself may feel resentment and rejection. I realize that our society is not yet race-blind and opportunities are not yet equal for all people, but explicit self-segregation is a self-centered way of looking at the inequities. It may be the more comfortable thing to do just because of the inherently segregated society that we grew up in, but the more difficult choice of self-integration may allow us to achieve our ultimate goal. We just have to decide what our ultimate goal really is. Is it short-term comfort? Or is it long-term enrichment, peace, understanding, and reconciliation? And remember the cultural connections that we can all share in – art, music, religion, food, etc. All of these things can be shared in a race-neutral, inclusive way.

]]> By: Liza http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-4769 Liza Fri, 05 May 2006 00:30:38 +0000 http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/#comment-4769 I would suggest using facebook as a source of photos for the slide show portion of the movie, perhaps we can discuss some ideas I have over dinner :-) I would suggest using facebook as a source of photos for the slide show portion of the movie, perhaps we can discuss some ideas I have over dinner :-)

]]> By: Tracy Egharevba http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-4768 Tracy Egharevba Fri, 05 May 2006 00:30:11 +0000 http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/#comment-4768 I definitely think the movie should have a representation of freshman year some where in it. Because that was the best times of Duke (for most of us) and that is when we first met people and connections started happening. I definitely think the movie should have a representation of freshman year some where in it. Because that was the best times of Duke (for most of us) and that is when we first met people and connections started happening.

]]> By: Monte http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-4767 Monte Fri, 05 May 2006 00:29:47 +0000 http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/#comment-4767 I think this movie will provide good memories for students and parents I think this movie will provide good memories for students and parents

]]> By: Liza http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/comment-page-1/#comment-4766 Liza Fri, 05 May 2006 00:29:25 +0000 http://www.crequevision.com/blog/2006/03/01/bsas-final-honors-ceremony-movie/#comment-4766 I think the video should incorporate student memories. I think the video should incorporate student memories.

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