MACKENZIE KINTIGH; Guest Writer; kintigmf@plu.edu
Music and diversity have been a vital part of my life in the last few years. Going to a university that thrives on educating young people with positive dialogue on topics like diversity and people of color was part of the reason why I came here in the first place. I am a woman of color myself. Learning about diversity always interested me from a young age, especially when it came to my my love for music.
Music helps me connect with the world around me. Living in Tacoma has opened my eyes to exploring all kinds of new music by going to open mics and getting to know the locals. Tacoma is also home to many artists of color. There are even artists of color at Pacific Lutheran University who showcase their passion for music at many events.
LollaPLUza was the event that I enjoyed most at PLU because it focused on music and was an event made for students, by students. Plus, it’s always fun to win a free shirt and see new up-and-coming artists.
When the Students Activity Board (SAB) announced the headliners on their social media accounts, I looked through the post and noticed something felt wrong. The lineup lacked any artists of color, women or members of the LGBTQ community. I wasn’t the only person that had a problem with this.
Several others commented about how there was a lack of diversity in the lineup and expressed their distaste about it.
SAB mentioned that they had a table for suggestions and that they wanted to listen to the students, according to the letter they sent out earlier in the month about the issue with the lineup.
“As a PLU student led organization, we recognize the importance of diversity both in our school as well as in our student activities,” SAB said in the letter.
I’m sure they did not maliciously choose this lineup and ignore what students wanted. They mention that the process of LollaPLUza included listening to suggestions from students and that students recommended these specific artists. I just feel like there was so much more that could have been done to incorporate diverse artists into the lineup.
It feels like even though we go to a university that thrives on educating and incorporating diversity into academic pursuits, this is not the same for extracurricular groups or events like LollaPLUza.
It’s upsetting that there are so many students who put their hearts and souls into creating positive dialogue on diversity and are not acknowledged—there were so many opportunities to incorporate artists of color from the Tacoma area and artists who go to PLU.
Being exposed to artists of color or different kinds of music is educational and enriching. It shouldn’t be at the bottom of the list.
-Mackenzie Kintigh, senior
I’m writing this story as a message to anyone who doubts having diversity incorporated into LollaPLUza. This story is for the people who doubt incorporating diversity in general and don’t want to understand why the people of color on campus are upset. Representation matters in all aspects of life, including music.
Growing up as an person of color, it hurts not seeing people who look like you in the industry. My passion for music has been guided by many artists of color, female artists and artists who are a part of the LGBTQ community. Being exposed to artists of color or different kinds of music is educational and enriching. It shouldn’t be at the bottom of the list.
There’s definitely a lot of work to be done to ensure that the students’ concerns are addressed especially in regards to diversity. Another event that I recommend people go support if they want to see more artists of color on campus is the next LASR concert, “Issa a Rap.” I also highly recommend going out to support artists of color in Tacoma like at the Metronome Coffee open mic or The Warehouse.
To conclude, I want the people on campus who raised their concerns about the issue of diversity in LollaPLUza to continue to express your concerns. It is encouraging to see young people speak up for what they believe is right. I hope that people see the issue that is at hand with the LollaPLUza lineup and seek to educate those who questioned incorporating diversity into the festival.
Speaking up is far better than staying quiet.
