Everhart apologizes for ‘exotic’ column, maintains that use of word was wrong
Everhart apologizes for ‘exotic’ column, maintains that use of word was wrong
Friday, April 11, 2008
To the Editor:
Along with many other Yale students, I found, “Wanna go on an Exotic Date?,” the first-draft title of an event this evening, to be insulting. Due to the expression of such reservations, the International Student Organization changed the title four days ago. They have made a herculean effort to produce a completely new set of publicity material. That material has already been distributed.
The above facts were unknown to me when I penned Wednesday’s column, “‘Exotic’ title in date auction degrades contestants.” I applaud the ISO leadership for taking quick steps to change the title. I apologize for the negative light in which my column may have portrayed ISO, its members and affiliates. I wrote without contacting any ISO or Amnesty coordinators, out of a sense of urgency. If I had known about the early change in the event’s title, my response would have been different.
Even after the title change, many in ISO maintain that it was not offensive to call people “exotic.” Despite our difference on this point, I hope to work with ISO in the future to promote understanding about diversity, so that all Yale students can see such problems coming and stop them early.
I encourage readers to attend the event in question — a worthwhile charity fundraiser — at BAR today at 7 p.m.
Edwin Everhart
April 10
The writer is a junior in Saybrook College. He is the co-coordinator of the Amnesty International club at Yale.
Comments
None 4 years, 1 month ago
Hey Edwin,
You never answered your phone on Wednesday...
I was soooo excited to meet you, too... :(
- The Exotic One
None 4 years, 1 month ago
Dear "yawn,"
I am sticking to my words. This is in no way a retraction of my piece on Wednesday. In fact, since I now know that ISO actively believes "exotic" to be completely acceptable, I am even more concerned about the state of diversity training on campus.
Edwin Everhart
None 4 years, 1 month ago
What a lame response.
Will no one stuck to their words anymore?
None 4 years, 1 month ago
very conciliatory, everhart.
your concern was valid, but slightly tactlessly stated and incited a few equally hasty arguments by others.
by the number of comments on the article, at least folks are thinking about questions of identity, language, and how it's related to what goes on elsewhere under the same pretexts of exoticness-- though the pretexts of tonight at bar should be nothing but a good time for a good cause :)
None 4 years, 1 month ago
My friends will agree - tact is not my strong suit.
Edwin Everhart
None 4 years, 1 month ago
It's refreshing to see someone cop to their mistakes and, while I mostly disagree with your point of view, I respect the fact that you can still hold that position while admitting you didn't go about it in the best way.
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