Writer
Even the most casual YouTube viewer has seen a version of the “Sh!t People Say” videos. The initial one became a huge viral sensation, but numerous variations of these clips about different genders and ethnicities reflect unfavorable stereotypes. While some simply laugh these videos off, the Mixed Student Union examine the negative implications.
On Jan. 31, a small group of people gathered at the MultiCultural Center meeting room to attend the “S!it People Say…” event hosted by the MSU. The event began with three YouTube videos, “Shit White Girls Say To Black Girls,” “Shit Latina Girls Say” and “Shit People Say To Mixed People.” The audience made small giggles and laughs, but also expressed feelings of sympathy at times.
The screening was followed by a free discussion by participants about why these videos are funny to some people, yet upsetting to others and what reactions were appropriate.
“I thought it was a great experience just to get together a group of people and discuss how different people respond to the videos, how they felt and what kind of emotions they invoke in people because I think it’s important to get a lot of different points of view and lot of aspects so you can understand the whole rather than individual part,” said third-year environmental science major Ben Kilpatrick.
People discussed the consequences of sarcasm and personal experiences with stereotyping.
The event was to “create dialogues, bring up conversations about assumptions and ideas that we have about other people and create an understanding of who we are and the people around us,” said fourth-year sociology and Asian-American studies major Anthony Diep.
MSU was founded two winters ago by a handful of UCSB students after attending the Student of Color Conference in San Diego to discuss identities and racial issues. Ever since, the organization has been trying to create a fun and safe space for students with diverse backgrounds.
“The event was a good idea because it’s a good chance to get some dialogues about stereotypes, especially in the mixed community because the mixed community doesn’t get acknowledged much,” said fourth-year anthropology major and MSU co-founder Sandii Weber.
The meeting had a heartwarming ending where MSU members and participants thanked one other.
“I think a lot of these situations can be taken seriously, but for the most part they should be taken humorously,” said Klipatrick. “This should be a fun thing to enjoy.”