STAFF ED: ASUN passes sensitivity bill after lengthy debate

Last night, many members of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln community spoke to the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska concerning the events of Nov. 7, 2009, when Nebraska hosted Oklahoma in a nationally televised night game between the two historic football powers. Several students at the game arrived decked out in "traditional" Native American headdresses and carrying a sign that read "We want our land back."

On Nov. 12, we published an editorial condemning the students, citing their behavior as another tired example of midwestern racial insensitivity. Unfortunately, it's taken the Association of the Students of the University of Nebraska four months to address the situation. Last night, they finally debated – in a meeting that went nearly five hours – a bill that would promote cultural sensitivity.

The first bill, proposed by Senator Justin Shilhanek proposed increased education of students on issues of cultural sensitivity and specifically addressed the events of the Oklahoma game.

The second, authored by Internal Vice President Brian Coburn, described the same educational goals, but refrained from addressing the Oklahoma students specifically because, as Coburn argued, the university failed to define expectations beforehand, so reprimanding the students would be inappropriate. Instead, the bill cites incidents at many colleges across the country of racial or cultural insensitivity. The bill argued that the act of dressing in support of the Huskers will always involve "creativity" and pushing the boundaries.

But it doesn't need to involve racism. Especially racism that is as patently obvious and demeaning as that of the students at the Nov. 7 game. The issue is not difficult. For centuries, white Americans exploited, murdered, abused, raped and cheated the Native American population of the United States. A little sensitivity is not too much to ask.

When students brazenly disregard this tragic history in such a disgusting way – and on national television, at that – it's not unreasonable for our university to condemn their behavior.

Thankfully, they finally passed the bill at 11:40. It took two and a half hours and only passed by three votes, but it passed.

Still, it shouldn't take four months to attempt to address the issue. Nor should it take two and a half hours to pass a bill when it finally is proposed. So while we applaud the decision, the process should not have taken nearly this long.

opinion@dailynebraskan.com