UA Tunnel of Oppression program 'stunning' students

Eric M. Jukelevics Arizona Daily Wildcat Pre-architecture freshman John Bennett performs Wednesday in a UA Residence Life organized program called "Tunnel of Oppression." The event was designed to heighten students' awareness of prejudice.

"Audrey, get the fuck up," an actress said. "This is the third time you've fallen out of your chair. You fucking brought this on yourself."

The scene was part of University of Arizona Residence Life's educational program in Kaibab Huachuca dorm called the "Tunnel of Oppression," designed to increase awareness, sensitivity and knowledge about issues of prejudice.

But some residents, like undecided freshman Holly McGraw, found the concept behind the hall's program offensive. She was doing her homework Tuesday night when she heard students screaming racial and sexual epithets like "nigger" and "faggot."

"I really felt threatened," said McGraw, who never went to the program. "I was really, really uncomfortable. I thought there was a cult like the KKK outside my bedroom window."

The "Tunnel of Oppression" was a mixture of live theatrical performances with audio and visual materials designed to heighten awareness of modern issues of oppression, said Matt Helm, hall director at Kaibab Huachuca dorm.

The roughly 15-minute tour in the dorm's basement began as students walked down a staircase, eyes closed. As they descended, the words 'fag,' 'bitch,' 'pussy' and 'slut' were broadcast through a public address system.

Students were then led into a room to see four different images - homosexual scenes, fire, a tape of Los Angeles Police beating Rodney King and the desecration of the American flag.

A German drill sergeant yelled, "move your fucking Jew asses into the hall!!"

Next, students entered a black room where the sound of flowing gas was audible. They stared at a sign that read: "You have just been exterminated for your religious beliefs."

The tour ended in an open courtyard, where participants heard the ranting of a female student.

"You know what I don't like about niggers?," she said. "They are fucking animals. But you know what is even worse than niggers? Faggots. They aren't even animals - you never see a goat take it up the ass."

Jordan Farrow, Manzanita Mohave hall director, said oppressive language was necessary for the demonstration because society has become desensitized.

"It is difficult for people to hear some words, but we are still using derogatory terms for sexual orientation, race and handicapped people," Farrow said.

He said a few people have trouble with the program, but were helped out of the tunnel.

Greg Ziebell, assistant director of residential education, said each student reacted differently to the sensitive subject matter.

"When you are dealing with examples of oppression from the past, students should assume that they will be exposed to inflammatory issues," Ziebell said.

One student said the language was a necessary part of the program.

"I didn't find it offensive," said veterinary science junior Diana Becerra. "I did find it disturbing, but people use this language on a day-to-day basis. It's real."

She said a mini-counseling session with faculty members, which lasts about five minutes, helped her recover from the tour.

"I thought it was good that they had people to talk to us afterwards," Becerra said. "I felt tense after the tour and I needed to talk about it."

Students come out of the program speechless and with glazed eyes, said Mikelle Omari, a faculty fellow and art history professor.

"Sometimes people think that one person cannot make a difference," Omari said. "They say 'I can't do anything. I'm just one person.' One person can make a difference."

Faculty fellows and residence life officials said they are hoping to perform the program again next year.

But McGraw felt that the program could find a better teaching method and a location other than her home.

"I think they went beyond what I would have done to teach others about oppression," she said. "I think other things could be done. I don't think it's appropriate for a dorm to do."