| This editorial originally appeared
in the Liberty Press, Jan, 2000. On
Monday, January 24, 2000, under pressure from many people in the Haskell community,
Crawford resigned his position as student body pesident.
-- Deb Taylor lives in Lawrence, Kansas and can be
reached at dtaylor@debtaylor.com. |
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It's been a long month since Prentice Crawford,
Student Body President at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, spoke
openly about being gay in the December 1999 issue of the Liberty Press. Since then,
Prentice's life has not been the same.
Instead of walking down the Haskell sidewalks with the confidence of someone who is
determined to make a difference, Prentice now moves with a gait of uncertainty and
fatigue. He's distracted while he attends classes. His executive staff wants him to resign
as President. He's embroiled in a huge rumor mill at Haskell, with students and faculty
alike speculating on his past and present lovers in unbecoming whispers. Ironically,
Prentice had told the Liberty Press that he couldn't see homosexuality being an
issue that would separate the campus.
Boy, was he wrong.
Many Native Americans - both on and off Haskell's campus - rejected Prentice 's statements
that before "contact," or the point when whites first invaded Indian land,
homosexuality was not negatively regarded in tribes. Don Bread, Chairman of the School of
Business at Haskell, vehemently rejected the claim. In a letter to me, Bread wrote:
"Let me say without hesitation that our Native American people DO NOT consider the
practice of homosexual as a natural and desirable practice. Homosexuality is not
considered to be a lifestyle that is revered or in any way considered anything but what it
is: an unnatural practice that goes against the nature of our existence."
In a town (Lawrence) and near a university (KU) that both includes sexual orientation in
its nondiscrimination policy, Bread's words ring cold. And with a lack of support coming
from the Haskell administration, it's not hard to believe that Prentice 's homosexuality
is currently being used as a tool to discredit him.
If I were a student at Haskell right now, I think I would want to hear less about the
sexuality of my student body president and more about what kind of education I'm receiving
and the atmosphere to which I am being subjected. Given recent events, these are
justifiable concerns. |
For one thing, Haskell currently has a shortage
of money to pay for quality teachers. The shortage of money to pay for teachers
could stem from the fact that the Haskell Foundation, which raises money on behalf of
Haskell, is in debt of about $700,000 to one million dollars. The Foundation was allegedly
swindled by its director, who lost his CPA license years ago and who had a history of
stealing and misappropriating funds.
Last year, a Haskell student was blindfolded, beaten, and raped by at least three men on
Haskell property. In spite of students' concern for more security, Haskell employs only
one security officer, and he only works during normal business hours.
With all that's going on at Haskell, it's a wonder that anyone would have time to care
about Prentice's sexual orientation. But some are, which causes me to ask, who's
setting the priorities at Haskell Indian Nations University? And who is standing up for
the students?
Prentice is happy the dialogue concerning homosexuality has begun, and in a small way he
felt rewarded when a few students recently told him they appreciated his putting into
words what they felt but could not adequately express. He's disappointed with the Haskell
family and believes that maybe he was disillusioned on a few issues, particularly thinking
that he would be supported by the Haskell administration in spite of his sexual
orientation.
For now, Prentice is still a student who is trying to get an education and make a
difference at Haskell. But it's a lot more difficult these days, considering that
his priorities don't seem to match everyone else's. He'd rather brainstorm ways to
increase the educational integrity at Haskell than defend his sexuality.
Despite the frustration and stress, Prentice still believes in Haskell and is prepared to
endure whatever comes his way in order to make Haskell a better school. Having spent
a lot of time with Prentice recently, I see him as a man who promises to make many
valuable contributions to our world, provided he doesn't lose hope or faith in himself.
Let's hope that Haskell's controversies are soon resolved so that Prentice and all Haskell
students can concentrate on the education they deserve.
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