GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Grand Valley State University is delivering pomp and circumstance this spring in the form of segregated graduation ceremonies in addition to the general graduation event.
According to the school’s website, separate graduation ceremonies will be held for students of Asian, Black, Latino, and Native American descent. There is also a separate graduation called “Lavender” for LGBTQ students. These types of graduation celebrations are held annually, according to the school.
An email sent from GVSU to graduating students made the rounds on Twitter.
Promoting racism, division, and exclusivity during a graduation ceremony is deplorable. Shame on you @GVSU @gvsulakers !! @GLIACsports pic.twitter.com/45tTqRxdLF
— Burt the Bulldog (@CurveServer) March 21, 2023
Others appeared to call attention to the absurdity that many people are interracial with alternate lifestyles and cannot be categorized as just one.
The Pyramid of Marginalization didn’t cover this scenario! What if a student is
LGBTQ+ AND Asian?They should’ve broken these graduation ceremonies down into smaller parts! Since they did NOT do this, @GVSU should go through sensitivity training immediately!
— 🐰 ᗩʟʟ𖨆ᴇ (@BeachHouseBunny) March 21, 2023
@GVSU
Can you tell us when the graduation celebrations are planned for straight white people please. Or is this another misguided attempt at inclusivity which is, in fact, blatant racism?— JustAsking (@JustAsk40745451) March 21, 2023
However, some seemed to support the move for additional ceremonies that the school says compliment the collective graduation ceremony.
1. There’s no definition offered here.
2. These are merely “celebrations”, not actual graduation/commencement ceremonies (for which there is only one for everyone)Stop trying to stoke outrage for things that aren’t really things.
— The Blue Hat Patriot (@BlueHatPatriot) March 21, 2023
