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What is negative may not be untrue.
A line of people walked past an open casket flanked by red-and-white flower arrangements in an Augusta State University ballroom Monday as soft piano music played in the background. As people looked into the coffin, they saw a reflection of their faces in a mirror.
The casket was a signal to an end, a call for change and a celebration of life, held in the form of a funeral.
"Negative Perceptions and Stereotypes, child of Generalizations and Assumptions, was born on an unknown time, in the city of Inaccuracy, and the state of Denial," the obituary read. "Negative Perceptions and Stereotypes lived among us for an extensive period of time, and passed away on Monday, Jan. 21, 2008."
Keeping with the African-American tradition of holding a homecoming service two weeks after death, the Burial of Negative Perceptions and Stereotypes was held in honor of Black History Month.
"I've always been told you should never speak ill of the dead, but this is the one exception," said Mike Searles, assistant professor of history, who spoke at the event.
He gave a list of grievances against the "deceased," citing settling for less than best, oppression, and falsehoods.
"I'm glad you are dead, and we will never speak again," he said.
Jackie Stewart, director of Institutional Research and adviser of The Black Student Union, wore red to the funeral, signifying that she was the abused daughter of the deceased. As the daughter of Negative Perceptions and Stereotypes, she was marginalized in music videos.
"I am not the face, but the butt of BET," she said.
The daughter of Negative Perceptions and Stereotypes learned to act like that at an early age by her mother: "Isn't that what you wanted me to be?" she said, the crowd murmuring in response.
"I will show no respect today -- I come here with my head uncovered and wearing flaming red," Ms. Stewart said.
The Rev. Cory Mobley, Sr., presided at the funeral, which attracted about 85 "mourners", and opened with a simple prayer: "Let there be change in our lives, starting today."
He encouraged the crowd to turn to other members of the audience: "Neighbor, the title of the preacher's message is two simple words: I'm guilty."
The crowd repeated his words as they turned and reached over chairs to shake hands with one another.
After his message, attendees wrote what they wanted to bury on cards, which were collected and poured into the casket..
Sponsors included the Student Activities Office, the Minority Advising Program and student organizations The Black Student Union and the Talented Tenth.
One of the cards in the casket was from Michael James, a 23-year-old senior in music education, who said the event would give other people the key to success.
"I agree that negative perceptions do a lot of damage and it's something that should be done away with," he said.
Ms. Stewart said she hopes the event affects every part of each attendees' life.
"I hope that the people that were here will go beyond a one-day event," she said.
The world will stand for change, the Rev. Mobley said in his message: "As I look across this room, I see no barriers."
"I see what the future is trying to become."
Reach Sarah Day Owen at (706) 823-3223 or sarah.owen@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
What is negative may not be untrue.
Maybe I should have an after funeral to put to rest any unkind slurs or remarks against Irish-Americans or the American Indian who is still being mistreated in this society. Enough is enough....
Playing games is much easier that hard work and earning others respect. What happened to "he is a hard worker" or "she did a great job". When the remarks were founded in truth.
Once again man is trying to be smarter than God. God looks on the heart of man and we should too. Groups of people develop reputations based on their general actions and other groups don't make these up. Some develop good ones and some develop bad. Unity was God's choice because before the tower of Babel we were all the same. Diversity was caused by man's sin; not God. If a group of people have a bad reputation it is up to them to change it. In the 40s the Japanese had a reputation didn't they? They have a different reputation today. They changed and then the world's view on that group changed.
Don't blame others for what they think of you. All problems have the same solution; Jesus Christ. Without Him nothing gets fixed and God laughs at our foolish attempts.
I wonder how many of those attending this gathering left there Talked the Talk and Walked the Walk. Change starts within ones self not society. Start the change by setting the example for others to emulate (follow). Learn the difference between TV, Videos, Movies and Reality. 99.9% of what we see on tv or in the movies or on vidoes isn't real. Get a Clue People!!!
I'm sorry but as I read this article all I could say was "WHAT?" If people want change, maybe instead of going through some kind of foolish ritual as a mocked funeral, they should get down on their knees and start praying for change within themselves. A good reputation and respect is earned not something owed to you. I have to agree with purvisinvestments, without God nothing gets fixed.
The point was for everyone in attendance to make a change within themselves. That's the reason for filing by a coffin with a mirror in it, and then burying something with the deceased (the cards that they wrote on to be placed in the coffin). What should have been buried are the negative parts of each person's life that hinders success. The stereotypes that have become accepted as the norm for so many are what was buried. This was an event to try to change the way people feel about themselves; not one to blame others, or cite them as the cause of all possible low self worth. It was about purging out negatives so positives can be cultivated and grow. I would say that it was about trying to change the way people perceive themselves so that they can change their reputations. It wasn't about blaming anyone or any group for anybody's downfall.
Stereotypes are such a time saver!
what a ridiculous waste of time and energy.
as a black man this "burying of the negative stereotypes and perceptions" IS THE BIGGEST FARCE IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!! and i take offense to it. WHY!?!?!?!?!? do you ask???, well just turn on BET OR MTV and look at the negative stereotypes and perceptions that are put forth by so called "musicians" or how about listening to the lyrics some of the "so called local rappers" these are the people that reinforce most of the negative stereotypes and perceptions and nothing is done about it. actually they are held up in the highest esteem by black leaders are "pillars" of the communities and given the mantle that they speak for the masses. so until we as a race and society both black and white repudiate this so called "music" that denegrates our own women, and celabrates in referring to all women as "female dogs" and "ho's" all of this symbolic stuff is MEANINGLESS!!!!!!
Jisomjr, I agree that this is symbolic stuff, however, I don't think it is all meaningless. The very people that you say should repudiate the music and video industry are the ones who need some type of wakeup call to let them know that the images they see on BET and MTV are nothing more than self degredation. In order to change the minds of record label executives, one must hit them hard financially. The only way to do that is by persuading those who purchase the music to think more highly of themselves than how they are portrayed in lyrics. This symbolic homegoing (not "homecoming" as written by the reporter) is just one way for people to try to bring the same issues you mentioned to the forefront for discussion and enlightenment. I don't know that I would have used a mock funeral, but at least some sort of dialog has begun. As I read through the comments, it seemed as if some of the readers wanted folks to say that blacks feel as if we as a people are oppressed by the "white man" hence, the stereotypes appear to be true. Nothing could be farther from the truth. No one is pointing fingers, but merely trying to become progressive in thought and ideology.
I think that the concept was a good one, but the stereotypes aren't always because of the white folks. Check out so many of the black-sponsored movies, music, etc. Change does indeed start with outselves, black or white. And for that matter, those who are blessed to be of biracial backgrounds don't need to call themselves black or white-Senator Obama is not the first black whatever-he's just as much white as he is black. Let's work together and maybe we'll get somewhere!
In Christ's Love.., you're DROWNING in a sea of SELF_RIGHTEOUSNESS. I have a GREAT idea: Why don't you CAN the holer-than-thou verbage & just live your life as an example. Honestly, you getting your little cookie-cutter out, making some swipes & declaring WHAT and WHO is good or right is more than nauseating.., as if YOU are the authority. BLAH!
I think what these folks did is great. Simply trying to use symbolism to show how they want ALL the nonsense end. I didn't detect ONE LINE of this story to be directed at white people. Congrats on a successful ceremony.., wish I could have been there to shake a few hands.
If it were not for the cultural sub-sets that perpetuate stereotypes in all races, this society could really be great. I don't imagine preaching to the choir will work to change much. But it did get the attention of those of us commenting, didn't it?
Perhaps the best solution would be to not read newspapers and turn off the TV news.
My jshep67 I must have hit a nerve!! I don't know where you get off attacking me for my comments (opinons) when many more on here stated the same thing. I guess it was the mention of Christ that got to you. I never made any judgement on who was good or right, I just stated that you don't need to drop a few cards in a coffin and make a big show of putting your downfalls to rest to make changes in your life for the better. I am by no means holier-than-thou or passing judgement on these people, I just simplely made a statement that Jesus is all they need. So sorry you find that offensive but sometimes the truth hurts - or in this case evidently the truth makes some people mad. I'm sorry if I offended you but why not make comments on these other posters that seemed to think this was a waste of time (and I'm sure of good money - the coffin had to cost somebody something).
actually STUPID and a waste of money all around. Gee I wonder if any Pell Grant monies or parents tax dollars were spent on this foolishness
Can't we just All get along?
I dont like this nor did I like when they barried the "N" word. Things are getting blowed out of porpotion. It is a waiste of money and time. Just recognize that these sayings and assumptions are false and have a motivational speech to enlighten a young & old person's mind to educate them not to be like the ones whom have assumed the roles to call indivudals these terms. Education is the word and knowledge is the key of which you can never have enough of but something like this was IGNORANT.
u people will complain if the crust on a biscuit is not done enough....seriously...when do u guys go to work????..the same people posting all of the time. Worry about your own front door!! If a funeral is what has been decided to bury the steryotypes that exists, so be it. I was moved last year, when there was a funeral for the devil. Obviously the devil is not dead, but it is inspiring to tell the devil that there is no power that can be held over our lives anymore. That is the point of this funeral. Stereotypes and misconceptions will no longer have power in the lives of these people attending. It is about self improvement. Taking accountabilty of your own actions. Most of u people are idiots. Just idiots. I can't wait to read all of the negative remarks that will be given about Black History ( I mean American History) month.
devilishlymad67... how do we spell waste???? This may have been a waste of time but I just had to call you out.
InChristLove- "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kindom of heaven" Consider yourself blessed because of jshep67:)
jisomir, great post. It needed to be said. You are a great American and I wish there were a lot more like you.
Augusta needs the youth curfew. The youth are heading towards trouble and this is not "sterotype' We also need some officers to come into the Harrisburg neighborhood during school hours and find our why our youth are not in school. If they are not in school or working then they should not be able to get on the welfare / section 8 gravy train. I for one am tired of paying taxes to enable will be criminals. Yes, this is the truth. I have seen it over the years first hand. If the gals get impregnated then they should be told that they make their beds so they should lay down in it. Let them take care of their own reproductive problems. Contraception is far too easy for them to call that a "mistake" Most of them are 3rd to 5th generation welfare as a lifestyle ghetto trash or want a bees. FLUSH! www.hongkongaugustaga.org
That is a taky funeral. The coffin does not have a drape under it.
What is this world coming to ? Tacky, tacky, tacky.
I can guarantee that the majority of the people if any that have been commenting were actually in attendance at the funeral, Well, I was there. The funeral focused on more than The Negative Sterotypes and Perceptions, it also informed many of the history of the African American church and funerals. This program was put on by an organization of students who put much thought and work into it. I'm more than sure they would not appreciate the manner in which they're being discussed. Let's make it known that this program was not to point blame on any one ethnic group this was for everyone because perceptions and stereotypes are cross-cultural. I hope you reassess your thoughts of this program which I found very enlightening.
Isnt it time we have a white history month for a change. Or how about we just study American history in general and not keep fueling the fire. I agree everyone should be treated fairly, but it should go across the board.
msacevedo, unless you are calling devilishymad67 out about something else, what are you talking about? How would you spell waste in that context? as for what she said, I absouloutely agree with her, most of them probably attended something else important after the "funereal, like a STEP SHOW!!
Hey, they are trying new methods at getting the mesage across. It sure has a lot of you talking about it, so it must be working!
Additional funerals are needed for the disabled, and other groups who are often over looked in our daily life.
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