September 16, 2016 - 15:45
What does the term slippage signify? I had a very difficult time trying to define this term into one single definition. That is because the term does not have one single definition and it can be interpreted differently by each person. In Anne Dalke’s essay “Slipping”, she defines it as “an act of associative mis-speaking that may be more iterative, more complicated, and potentially more hopeful” (254). In other words, someone “slips” when they say something offensive, which leads to revealing the true identity and ideology of the speaker. Slipping in this circumstance is most often seen in racism, prejudice, and discrimination scenarios. A person might say something offensively intentionally or unintentionally, but this misspeaking shows the true values of that person. All the dark thoughts that they have been storing in their mind and eventually builds up to the point that they cannot contain it anymore. This mis-speaking could also lead to others around noticing the injustice, and giving them reason to speak out and make a change. This definition is just one perspective of one person and there are still other ways a person can “slip”.
Furthermore, Emily Elstad gives two definitions of slippage, one as, “somehow we access our unconscious, or what we “really mean”. The first definition connects to this definition because it when someone says what is really on their mind without having a filter. In some circumstances it is good to be able to speak our mind, but some people do not realize how much their words can harshly offend someone else. Elstad’s second definition states ““to fall away from a standard; to lose one’s command of things” and “to pass out of, escape from, the mind of memory”” (256). Now this definition exemplifies how someone slips further than a mistake that they stay in a negative state of mind. This negative state of mind overtakes the person’s thoughts to stay in a narrow minded perspective. When someone slips down this path they should come to realize their wrongs, but some people stay trapped just as we see in the Black on Bryn Mawr tour.
After defining what the term slipping signifies one can see Pusey & Mercado’s history of Bryn Mawr tour through this lens. President Carey Thomas slipped into a state a mind where she believed that the only way for Bryn Mawr to become the “leading institution of women’s higher education in the United States” and be a “lasting shrine to her legacy and values” is only if women of extreme wealth and privilege attend. Additionally, she only had an entirely African American domestic service staff to belittle the race and make a clear message of the kind of students she wants. She was intentionally discriminating against African Americans because she was so fixed on the idea that the college would only be superior with her set of values. President Thomas did not take the time to think that maybe the college would prosper with having many types of racial backgrounds. This classifies as slipping because she was intentionally offending others, but she was unintentionally stuck in own state of mind that does not let her see past her own set of values. If she would have opened her mind into believing more diverse student body can still be prosperous, she would not be fixed onto one idea. Unfortunately, as one goes more into the tour they will see that President Thomas is not the only one with this fixed state of mind.
Later on in 1926 Enid Cook, a black woman, challenged “Bryn Mawr’s institutionalized racism” by starting to apply to the college. Even though Cook came from Howard University and was a straight A student, President Marion Park believed that it was in Cook’s favor not to apply because of the discrimination she would face. Additionally, even the Board of directors believed that it would be better for Cook to not try. These are more examples on how people can slip down a negative slop and remain stuck with a narrow state of mind. They were only thinking of what would be their best interests instead of stopping to think how they are not allowing a person to get a better education. Marion Park also did misspeak by saying it would be “unwise” for her to apply because of the discrimination, but instead she should have bleatingly said that she only wanted white wealthy women. This is a slip because she does not want to intentionally look as if she is being racist, but instead makes up a lie to hide the truth. Eventually the lies will build up until someone has had enough and want to do something about it.
Fortunately, not everyone conformed to this Presidents state of mind, because Paul Howard Douglas fought on Cook’s behalf. Douglas told President Park, “merely to conform to prejudices robs the College of one chief reasons for its being”. It is important for others who notice the injustice to speak out and make the that person realize what they are doing is wrong. If someone does not do this, they will stay in this state of mind instead of moving forward towards more accepting values. Moreover, if a misspeaking is addressed then others might not conform and instead urge others to realize the harshness. In the end Douglas’ efforts were somewhat successful because they admitted to the college, but she had to live off campus. This was not a total victory, but at least one person was allowed to convince the President to give other options a try. I view it as the reverse domino theory where people have fallen down, but now Douglas has picked one up which will lead others to join as well.
To conclude, unfortunately people slip into destructive values but it’s the responsibility of others to fight against them to create change.