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Queen’s AMS offers apology for attempted sumo suit use

Queen’s Alma Mater Society is wrestling with satisfying its students.

The AMS cancelled a food bank fundraiser scheduled to take place last Tuesday, where students were to don padded suits designed to resemble Japanese sumo wrestlers.

The Facebook event, titled “SUMO Showdown,” was met with student criticism, leading AMS to cancel the event. The cancellation was followed by a two-page apology written by AMS, outlining how the event devalues sumo wrestling and appropriates an aspect of Japanese culture.

“Regrettably, those of us who were aware of the event did not critically consider the racist meaning behind it,” the official apology stated.

“This is wrong because it turns a racial identity into a costume; the process of putting on and taking-off a racial identity is problematic because it dehumanizes those who share the identity and fails to capture the deeply imbedded histories of violent and subversive oppression the group has faced,” the apology continued.

AMS assumed full responsibility, noting it was a failure on the part of the students who hold senior positions in the AMS to not recognize the issues of racism tied-in to the event.

“While it is important to recognize that by planning this event we marginalized students on-campus, it is also critical to recognize that some of us in the organization who played a role in planning and perpetuating the event do not have the lived experience of someone who is oppressed due to their race,” the apology stated.

The apology added AMS plans to work towards creating a campus environment where events similar to this one are not repeated.

Less than a month ago the Canadian Federation of Students — Ontario released the final report of the Task Force on Campus Racism. The report collected information from students, faculty and staff about their experiences with racism on campus. It included testimonials and highlighted recommendations for campuses that frequently see racism.

“The Task Force has shown that racism is not isolated to one campus and that structures that perpetuate racism and create barriers must be removed,” a press release stated.

Dan Moulton, vice-president university affairs for the University Students’ Council at Western, noted the importance of promoting inclusivity on university campuses.

“The USC always needs to improve its role ensuring we have a safe and inclusive campus,” Moulton said. “These are issues that should be taken very seriously, and when a student feels uncomfortable or unsafe, that is something we take very seriously.”

However, Moulton was hesitant the event at Queen’s would set a precedent for other events on campus.

“We deal with events and clubs on a case-by-case basis,” Moulton noted

The apology released by AMS acknowledged certain individuals were alienated by the promotion of the sumo wrestlers, and offered their condolences.

AMS is planning a replacement event, and will follow up with other groups at Queen’s who are using the suits in the future.

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