[author title=”About the Author” author_id=”24″]

By Katlin Sweeney

Editor-in-Chief

What started out as a few passionate people creating a project to take a stand against cultural appropriation has become a three-month-long exhibition of student photographed and designed posters in Kellogg Library.

These posters are unlike other anti-racism and anti-stereotyping campaigns. They feature the faces of CSUSM students, photographed by their peers, taking a stand against the cultural appropriation that marginalized communities face on a regular basis. Individuals are depicted ripping apart photographs of offensive Halloween costumes that stereotype various cultures such as Latino/a, American Indian and African American. Models for these posters include individuals such as Amiyonette Hesaynehe Goodblanket and Carlos Morales, who are also featured on the fliers promoting the poster unveiling.

The campaign’s powerful motto is emblazoned across the posters and fliers: “There is more to me than what you see: beyond the stereotype, there is history.” In addition to the phrase and the CSUSM student models depicted on the posters, they also show the faces of important figures from these communities. This is done in an effort to show what an individual from each culture “actually” looks like, rather than the stereotyped costumes and images that are perpetuated in American media and culture.

The work for this project has been a collaborative effort spanning various student orgs. and depts., including the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Public Relations Club, American Indian Student Alliance, Civility Campaign and Student Life & Leadership.

“I am very proud to have been part of such a dynamic group of individuals and organizations on this campus,” Tracey Engleton, current PR Club member and former PR Club President, said. “A lot of time and effort went into producing these amazing pieces of work. The message should be clear, there are powerful histories behind all of the stereotypical images out in our country that we seem to have forgotten. PR Club feels especially honored to help spread this message. I would like to give a special thanks to members Erin Taylor, Drew Littlewood, Anne Hall, Tina Martinez and Alexis Ison for their continued diligence to this project. We are also entirely indebted to Dr. Fredi Avalos as our wonderful [PR Club] advisor and Dr. Joely Proudfit for welcoming us on this journey.”

The Beyond the Stereotype exhibit is now on display during regular library hours from Feb. 3 until May 22 in Kellogg Library.