Racial awareness group wants answers

When two white men walked through the IU Main Library wearing Afro wigs and painted black faces, on the morning of Aug. 23, 2002, they passed junior Nicole Watkins.\nWatkins at first tried to ignore them, but began to shake after she sat down. \nAfter searching for the men, she decided to contact the Dean of Students' office, but felt the staff was uncooperative.\n"This is a white school, and it was an African-American incident," Watkins said. \nBecoming more upset Watkins said she was then shocked at the amount of effort and quick response that followed. \nPamela Freeman, co-chair of the Racial Incidents Team, came to meet Watkins for a personal report. An investigation with the IU Police Department was started. \nWith few leads to follow, the Dean of Students placed an ad in the IDS asking for more information.\nOriginally thought of as a fraternity hazing, the men's costumes were later found to be part of an intensive freshmen seminar course on African-Americans in film. A student told Officer Greg McClure that the class was using the library's TV room. \nFreeman said the explanation makes sense given the time of day, but the investigation may continue for additional information. \n"There is no intent, obviously, to make a racial statement," said McClure, who sees nothing illegal or hateful about the act. \nWatkins said she wasn't relieved about the result and feels McClure belittled her reaction.\n"He was basically telling me that my perception was wrong," said Watkins, who feels the dress of the two men was not respectful to African-American culture. \nThe Racial Incidents Team has continued to contact Watkins, offer support and alerted her of changes in the investigation.\nFreeman said a part of the confidentiality clause relies on the victim to pursue any more action. Many times the experience is already too traumatic. \nThe team consists of ten members from a variety of offices and racial groups; they resolve harassment or discrimination issues. Each person handles one to two cases. \nThere are set procedures for illegal violations or safety hazards. Also, the Bloomington Human Rights Commission may be contacted if there was discrimination off campus, and the residence halls offer some programs.\nConsultations might be required between two parties if there is an altercation. Freeman said this allows people to see each other as more than just an object to lash-out at.\n"We do have some people here that are that ignorant or that naïve," Freeman said. \nAlthough the Racial Incidents Team prefers names, to better offer emotional help, they will take anonymous calls for data collecting purposes. \n"We believe that incidents reported to the teams represent a small percent of the total number," their Web site said. \nAn end of year tally is posted by the Racial Incidents Team. The tally includes offensive graffiti to comments printed on flyers. \nNormally there are about 75 to 80 incidents, but there were 118 last year due to Sept. 11 and the Woodburn mural. \nWatkins said there is still no solution to her case. \n"(African-Americans) have passed the point of needing an outlet for speaking out," said Watkins. "We need action."\nWatkins said she feels many other departments and officials on IU's campus ignore the issues important to the African-American student body. \n"I am part of IU," Watkins said. "Will you hear my voice"