FOCUS: DuBois House marks 20th anniversary

When David Biggs was a freshman in W.E.B. DuBois College House in 1972, the African-American Living-Learning Program was shrouded in controversy. The house -- located in Low Rise North -- was forced to defend itself on and off campus from critics who said the educational residence built up a wall between black students and their classmates. This year on the 20th anniversary of DuBois, the house may still be on the defensive. "We are a college house, like any other college house," Biggs, the assistant dean of DuBois House, said last week. "By virtue of [DuBois'] focus -- African-American literature and culture -- it's going to draw a preponderance of African-American students. In the same way, Modern Language House's focus on modern languages will draw a preponderance of bilingual and trilingual students." Despite the fact that anyone interested in African-American culture may live in DuBois, many people think that DuBois House is exclusively for black students and continue to criticize it again and again for promoting separatism and self-segregation among black students. · The debate over whether DuBois promotes separatism has plagued the house throughout its history. During the first semester of its existence, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union attacked DuBois House for promoting segregation by encouraging black students to live apart from their non-black counterparts. But Biggs, who was there at its start, said the NAACP and the ACLU did not understand the purpose of the house. "[The ACLU and NAACP] argued that because the house's focus was African-American literature and culture, it would only attract African-American students, thereby promoting segregation," Biggs said. "Our argument was that anyone can study African-American literature and culture. It's not the sole property of African Americans." Although the NAACP threatened to sue DuBois House, the suit never went through because the organization could find no solid evidence that DuBois excluded any applicants. Howard Arnold, associate professor of sociology, acted as the house's first faculty master until 1979. He said that one of his main tasks was "building acceptance" for the house within the University. Arnold attributed the initial resistance towards DuBois House to an uncertainty people at the University felt at that time about "black control." "It was the first program run by an African American," Arnold said last week. "That was new for the Penn campus. Certainly we've had black faculty in small numbers, [but] this was the first program run by African Americans." Because of this, he added, the house had more pressures than other living-learning programs to "prove itself." Despite the difficulties he encountered in being the first faculty master of DuBois House, Arnold said he did not regret his time spent there. "It was a difficult task but an enjoyable one," Arnold said. "There was such need and enthusiasm among the students. As a teacher, you don't run away from that." · Arnold said there have been many changes in DuBois House since the 1970s, but added that the purpose of promoting African-American culture has remained the same for 20 years. Biggs said he also feels the same sense of unity among DuBois residents today that he did when he lived there 20 years ago. "The world changes, but the solidarity [of the residents] stays the same," Biggs said. In fact, Biggs said the most noticable changes have been the physical renovations to the building over the years. He was "mesmerized" by the changes when he returned to Dubois House in 1990 to become the new faculty master, he said. One lower wing of the building, which had once been dorm rooms, now contains a library, a gallery and conference rooms where Dubois residents and other student organizations hold meetings and events. Arnold said he participated in the renovation process 10 years ago and that he was glad the University decided to renovate the building, instead of allowing it to become a "lesser facility among the college houses." And Biggs said he wants to keep improving DuBois House by "adding to changes" brought about through previous faculty masters. He added that the annual Souls of DuBois Conference -- a day-long event with a series of workshops, exhibits and concerts which he started in 1990 -- is one of those changes. Biggs said that this year's conference, which will be held on March 20, will focus on the past 20 years of DuBois House in celebration of the house's anniversary. Former faculty masters, including Arnold and many others, have been invited to attend and speak. In addition to the conference, Dubois House has planned several other events in which they plan to incorporate the 20th anniversary theme, including a Martin Luther King celebration in January. And the nearly 200 house residents have held several commemorative events this semester as well, including a black-tie formal in October and Homecoming events for students and graduates. · Biggs said that many of the criticisms of DuBois House have also remained consistent throughout its 20 years. In recent years, students have criticized the program for encouraging black students to remain separate at the same time the University tries to increase "diversity awareness" throughout the rest of campus. Some students have said that although DuBois claims to admit non-blacks as well, it is not welcoming to white students. "I thought the University was making an effort to help integrate society," one student said last week. "DuBois House undermines this effort. What's the point of bringing in minorities and then allowing them to separate themselves from the rest of the student body?" These arguments, Biggs said, are the same as always. "We can guarantee at least one write up in [The Daily Pennsylvanian] every year about whether or not we're separatists or segragists," Biggs said. Biggs cited a column written this September by DP columnist Jonathan Steinmetz as the "latest example." In his article, entitled "Ebony and Ivory: Why Can't We All Just Live Together," Wharton sophomore Steinmetz suggested that freshmen should not be allowed to live in Dubois House because it "perpetuates the lack of understanding that causes the racial tensions constantly gripping this campus." "Here's a premise that the Dubois House is designed to be an all-black residence," Biggs said. "Some of his comments [in the article] are just the new generation of misconceptions about DuBois House." Wharton sophomore and DuBois House resident Nicole Maloy said she was very angered by the article and that Steinmetz did not understand DuBois House. "A house full of black people is very threatening to some people," she said. "There are so many stereotypes floating around -- few people are willing to take time out of their day to learn the truth." "People call it separatism," Maloy added. "If they have such a problem with it, then they should move here and change what they think is so wrong -- otherwise, they're just talk." DuBois House Council President Sabrina Philson-Skalski said the claim that DuBois is separatist is "totally false" and said the house "celebrate[s] the culture of African Americans." Seth Hamlin, one of two white residents of DuBois House, said he chose to live in the house because he has a "great admiration for African-American culture." Hamlin, a College sophomore, added that he thinks the house is a "very positive" thing for the University because it provides important "support structures" for black students. "With forced integration [of cultures] there comes the possiblity of the majority culture overwhelming the minority culture," Hamlin said. "I feel like African Americans should have the option of strengthening their culture and living in an environment in which they are comfortable." Hamlin, who is also the Undergraduate Assembly Minority Concerns Committee co-chairperson, helped pass a resolution that "commends and celebrates" DuBois on its 20th anniversary. "The UA is not typically in the habit of randomly commending [groups] on campus, but because of the 20th anniversary, we felt it was worth taking the time," Hamlin said. In the resolution, the UA officially "recognizes, commends and supports the continuing efforts and presence of the W.E.B. DuBois House in educating our whole community and providing an important support structure." Hamlin added that UA members unanimously passed the resolution. · Biggs said he is concerned at times about the "general perception" people have of the house and that each year there seems to be a "new generation of misconceptions." "When you're constantly having to defend your existence, it takes away from [your strength]," he said. Philson-Skalski said she thinks DuBois House will never outgrow controversy. She said that she does not feel people will forget "their ideas" about what the house represents, mainly becaues they do not make the effort to understand it. However, Biggs said that he does not think the house will always be on the defensive. "I don't think that we'll always be struggling to justify our existence, as much as we will be attempting to educate those who are misinformed about our purpose," he said. But whether or not DuBois House is justified in its existence -- whether or not it promotes separatistism or cultural awareness or both -- the fact is, the house has survived for 20 years, despite the controversy. "Our mission is to educate, to inform and to celebrate," Biggs said. "For the past 20 years that's what we've done and I hope we'll be doing that for 20 times 20 more."