Craft controversy

BY KIYANNA NOEL Arts & Culture Editor

Global Beading Crafts was hosted by the Desi Club and Club international March 7 in the H.U.B. The event intention was for students to come in and create waist beads and bracelets.

However, this concerned another group of students on campus, which saw the event as cultural appropriation. African Unity: The African Student association released a statement March 4 claiming the event is not providing background information on the meeting behind waist beads and where they come from.

“This event is being advertised as a waist bead making session, with little to no information about the origin or kind of waist beads being referenced, this creates confusion as different cultures have different types of Jewelry they refer to as ‘waist beads.’ Waist beads are not a fashion statement,” African Unity wrote in an Instagram post. “Every part of Africa and the world have specific meanings and importance that they attribute to waist beads. They are not worn for adornment or body modifications. There are culturally rooted reasons why Africans wear waist beads, and seeing them being referenced to as ‘adornments’ comes off as our culture being disregarded.”

Quin Lee, an intern at Plattsburgh’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office, wrote a response to the concerns brought to light by African Unity.

“I was trying to honor other cultures through a beading event, but these beads have a religious and cultural significance that goes far beyond what I had imagined. I apologize for treating this as a trivial crafts event. We are replacing all flyers and social media posts with the graphic below. The event is now titled a beading crafts event. As part of it we will view a presentation of beading crafts and practices from around the world,” Lee wrote.

The event was then geared into a more educational bracelet making event for students of different cultural backgrounds to come together and explain the meaning behind waist beads, as expressed by African Unity.

Students interested in becoming a director must have prior theater experience and be, or become, a member of the College Theater Association by attending at least one other College Theater Association event. Prior directing experience is not required. Applications are due March 20.

No experience or membership is required to audition for an acting role. Official audition dates will be announced in the future.

“I’m hoping we can get more involvement! I want to see people express themselves in other ways besides acting or tech, and I’m really excited to see student playwrights showcase their work,” Tech Director ReGina Sutphen said. “It might feel daunting at first, like all new things do, but once you take that first plunge, you realize this is a safe space and we want you to have many opportunities to be yourself and explore in your practice.”

The College Theater Association will announce official audition, rehearsal and performance dates on its Instagram page, @plattsburghcta. In the meantime, individuals can apply to direct, submit skits or ask questions by sending an email to ctaplatts@gmail.com.