Staff Editorial: Unity Week a step in the right direction

Considering it's attracted such vehement criticism from local Catholic groups, Unity Week's name doesn't really pack the punch you'd expect from a controversial annual event.

Originally called "Rainbow Week," Unity Week began in 2001 as an effort by faculty and students to promote awareness of issues facing the LGBTQ community at Saint Joseph's and beyond.

In 2004, Rainbow Week received criticism from members of various Catholic groups, expressed most clearly by an article published by the Catholic Standard and Times. Soon after, discussions between the SJU Alliance and administrators led to a name change, and Unity Week was born.

Though the new name wasn't embraced immediately, it's one that many members of the Alliance say in hindsight has value. The term "unity," some say, implies an openness and inclusion that doesn't come through as clearly in the word "rainbow." But the name "Unity Week" is also extremely generic, and doesn't seem to acknowledge the program's real intentions-to encourage an informed and considerate attitude toward LGBTQ students at St. Joe's.

We believe that while "Unity Week" is a good name, it still does not make clear the intent behind the programs: namely to promote knowledge of and respect for LGBTQ students and the particular issues facing them.

Unlike other terms, which could make students who are uncomfortable with issues of sexuality turn away, Unity Week welcomes and encourages students of any sexual orientation to participate in events. The controversy surrounding Rainbow Week in 2004 proved problematic for the university, faculty and students, as well as guest speakers. Unity Week offers similar events and conversations without the controversial nametag.

In the end, however, "Unity Week" represents a certain compromise-students and faculty who want to send a stronger message about what the program represents have a less controversial and less powerful term to work with while promoting awareness on campus.

In fact, the name "Unity Week" presents a sort of irony. The point of the week is to encourage students to fully embrace their sexuality and identity, but its name fails to communicate this intent. By promoting a more generically named program, the university could potentially send a conflicting message to members of the LGBTQ community. The name falls short of its important purpose: its programs might combat ignorance concerning LGBTQ individuals, but its name certainly doesn't.

Saint Joseph's administrators, faculty, and students should consider reexamining the name of Unity Week, just as it changed "Students for Tolerance, Openness and Pride" to the more appropriate "Gay-Straight Alliance." Words and phrases play a small but vital role in helping to define the goals and values of a community, and their meaning is amplified in a situation like this where a word that is too prejudicial or not representative enough can have damaging consequences.

In addition to a weaker name, every Unity Week poster also displays an ambiguous disclaimer in the bottom left corner. It states, "The presence of invited participants reflects the nature of our University to expose many ideas to scrutiny. Such an examination of diverse viewpoints fosters dialogue and does not necessarily indicate an endorsement of particular views and opinions."

Though the presence of such a disclaimer is understandable given the university's familiarity with controversy in previous years, the statement undermines the overarching spirit and intentions behind Unity Week.

Instead of promoting progressive action toward a more open and respectful atmosphere at St. Joe's, the disclaimer simply calls for an "examination."

If we, as a community, are going to move forward and foster an inclusive atmosphere, we need to alleviate the need for such a disclaimer in our university community. Much like the name for Unity Week, a disclaimer is understandable as a compromise to alleviate some of the external pressures to allow the spirit of the week to flourish. But it shouldn't be the final solution.

Unity Week provides a crucial opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to come together to discuss the challenges and successes of the LGBTQ community at Saint Joseph's and beyond.

Unity Week is a great first step that can, if given the right name and reception, lead to many more steps in the right direction.

The Hawk Staff