Social Divide & Blackface at UGA
The University of Georgia is a predominantly white institution, and it has a history of blackface and a social divide between the Black and white students at UGA. There are many aspects that contribute to the social divide, including blackface, Greek life, and the Old South Day.
Blackface:
Blackface is the act of wearing makeup to imitate the physical appearance of a Black person, and it is considered highly offensive. Blackface has been used to degrade and disrespect the Black community because of its extensive history being used for minstrel shows and more. Blackface emerged in the 1830’s and was still popular into the mid 1900’s along with the n-word being commonplace. These acts of “casual racism” deepened the divide between white students and Black students.
Greek Life:
Greek Life is a large proponent of racism on campus. The Greek organizations have historically excluded Black students from joining their organization. Oftentimes, Blackface and other racists acts were used to recruit white students to join their organization. Kappa Alpha is one of the oldest fraternities on UGA’s campus, and it was founded by Robert E. Lee. Greek Life on UGA’s campus glorifies the existence of the confederate states. This is inherently racist because the confederacy’s entire goal was to keep slavery legal. By allowing historically racist organizations to exist on the UGA campus, the university is inherently allowing the campus to be a breeding ground for racism.
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The University of Georgia became integrated in 1961 with two black students attending. Before this the “n-word” was brought up a lot in the yearbook throughout the 1950s. In the year book we even see students participating in blackface. “In 1982, black students at UGA made up 4.9% of the total undergraduate student body” (red and black). Students who attended UGA at this time reported seeing students divided specifically a social divide in Greek culture. According to the Red and Black, “the black and white student populations each had their own social activities and kept to separate environments” (Red and black).
The first African American sorority had eight students and began in 1969. “This sorority is now celebrating 50 years with over 600 graduates” (Red and Black). The sororities main goal is to bring diversity and provide need-based aid for students overcoming socioeconomic obstacles. The first African American woman was admitted in 1961. There weren't a lot of extracurriculars for minority students when they were finally allowed to attend UGA. “As of 2018 black students made up 7.7% of undergraduates” (Red and Black). Today there are many more activities and opportunities that students can participate in.
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In April of 2019, student-run newspaper The Red & Black did a deep-dive on the history of blackface at the University of Georgia. Looking at Pandora Yearbooks, they found examples of blackface and racist caricatures from 1948 all the way to 2002. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reviewed yearbooks as well and said the height of blackface photos was during the Civil Rights Movement.
“It is not clear whether blackface or other racist acts were isolated only to Greek life,” write Red & Black reporters Maggie Holland and Savannah Sicurella. “However, instances of racist actions and portrayals found in the Pandora yearbooks were primarily photographed during events hosted by Greek organizations.”
The article claims that even after the school was desegregated in 1962, students from the white and Black communities did not intermingle. As a predominantly white institution, or PWI, UGA has never had Black enrollment reach even ten percent of the student population. While much of UGA’s current Greek chapters are made up of legacies, or students whose parents were also in Greek life, it is easy to see how discriminatory views could be passed down from generation to generation.
The offensive painting wasn’t limited to just targeting Black people, with members of Phi Gamma Delta mimicking the skin tone of Pacific Islanders during their 1980s event, “Native Week.” According to The Red & Black, the chapter now hosts an event called “Fiji Island,” where they wear grass skirts and “island attire,” but they cannot paint themselves.