> I am a faculty member at San Jose State University which has over 50%
> students of color. I've noticed a growing number of articles about
> students desire to wear traditional dress. Might I suggest they do what
> we do hear--encourage all students AND faculty of color to attend the
> UNIVERSITY convocation in full `mainstream' regalia, then attend the
> separate (African American, and Chicano Commencement at this time) and/or
> departmental and/or college ceremonies in ethnic regalia, song, dance, etc.
This is a very sad thread. As an anglo-Canadian parent of children of a
First Nations mother, I must note that in British Columbia the great
majority of people attend "ethnic" schools and wear "ethnic" costumes to
the graduation. The ethnic origins of these schools and costumes happens
to be mine -- British -- and that this should limit free expression is
very sad. As a country we are a rich amalgam of cultures, including First
Nations; any time we miss an opportunity to celebrate that fact we diminish
each and every one of us. People should feel free to wear what they like
to a graduation so long as it recognizes and honours the formality of the
occasion.
alan
A.Haig-Brown
1513 Sixth Ave.
New Westminster, B.C.
V3M 2C5
ph. (604) 520-6748
fax (604) 521-5428
e-mail ahaig-br@cln.etc.bc.ca