Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - The idea initiated after a powerful visit to a Civil Rights Museum. University of Wisconsin-Platteville student April Fuhr felt everyone needed to experience the atrocities of the civil rights era in order to better understand this historical time period in the United States. Fliers posted around campus advertised a "small scale experience about what daily life was like as a colored person," during the Jim Crow Era. An intense visual and sensory simulation planned by the Black Student Union (BSU) provided an abnormal educational experience for participants - this time the minority group was white. The reverse Jim Crow simulation was held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 7, in the Pioneer Student Center. Upon entering the correctly marked entrance, participants were handed a brochure explaining the simulation and rules and were encouraged to participate as much as possible.

Jim Crow was an 80-year period of terror in America. It began during the years of Reconstruction in the South and continued until the late 1960s. Thousands of people were beaten, raped and murdered during this time which is very much a forgotten piece of history. UWP sophomore Heather Fosbinder commented, "We only have to experience the segregation for four hours whereas others had to deal with these inconveniences and hardships for a lifetime. I can leave the student center to get away from it, but others had to deal with this every single day."

To make the traumatic experiences during this era more of a reality, BSU held interactive skits on the civil rights movement, hosted a teacher resource room, and even gave presentations on current struggles in the black community. Carl Wesley, BSU president, was one of the speakers about problems in black communities. "Speaking about reparations and the historical and residual affect of slavery on blacks and the surrounding communities is something everyone should be aware of," he said. Of the approximately 60 participants at his discussion, Wesley felt he was able to clear up misconceptions and almost everyone left knowing more than when they arrived.

A few of the incidents were so realistic students became emotionally distraught. During the Civil Rights March reenactment, "a tour guide is giving a tour to white people through Birmingham, Ala. A peaceful protest is interpreted as unlawful and aggressive and eventually gets out of control," explained Jordan O'Connell, a white student role playing in the scenario. "Students began crying as they finally understood what these people went through," mentioned UWP student and fellow role player, Devine Nzegwu. Added another student, Jodi Moen, "Most people have always had 'white privilege' so this is hard for them because they've never had to deal with oppression. It's a real eye opener and hopefully a start to change."

After participating in events, everyone was encouraged to attend a short debriefing session with the UWP counseling services staff to discuss and share their feelings. "Many of the students seem stunned by the experience, but I think they understand what it was like and will take something out of it. Hopefully, they will think twice next time about what happens in our country," said Roger Meyer, director of university counseling services. For some students, like BSU member Lee Harris, the change was immediate. "Today I saw different looks and blank stares of uncertainty from people who are usually confident, because they don't know what to do in this situation," said Harris. "It's obvious that a lot of preparation time was put into this event. This is making a huge impact on students," said Priscilla Hahn, learning specialist with student support services.

Nathan Cochran, UWP admissions advisor and athletics coach, was "amazed at the level of participation and number of people who went through the different rooms. It included everyone from the chancellor and his cabinet members to deans, athletics, admission, classes and even high school and middle school students." Added Carlos Wiley, Multicultural Educational Resource Center director, "The purpose of the simulation was to get people talking. Eventually through academics, no simulation may be necessary, as we learn to discuss cross-cultural respect, current issues in all communities and have classes to make students more globally aware. This is only a start, but it was a huge success."

Contact: Carlos Wiley, MERC, (608) 342-1555,wileyc@uwplatt.edu

Prepared by: Rachael Lehr, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, lehrr@uwplatt.edu