Stereotypes are real people, too

Jennifer Knight

Friday, Nov. 21, 2003 | 9:44 a.m.

A black trench coat hangs on a hook -- above it is a picture of Dylan Klebold, the Columbine shooter. Below it is a sign that reads, "How would people treat you if you wore this overcoat?"

The question, designed to prompt the viewer to think about stereotypes, is part of an exhibit at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, called the "Tunnel of Oppression." The exhibit in the Moyer Student Union is a five-room multimedia display that aims to illustrate examples of oppression in the United States and around the world.

The exhibit, free to view, is part of a string of similar exhibits at other colleges and universities across the nation.

Among the themes the exhibit addresses are stereotyping, modern-day slavery and problems faced by the elderly.

"It was a shocking (exhibit)," Sally Sambrano, 18, an education major said. "Some of the stuff I learned, you would never think happens here, like child labor or child pornography."

A panel of students is responsible for picking the themes and researching information that later becomes pasted on the walls of the exhibit.

This is the third year the exhibit has been displayed. Last year's drew more than 700 people and this year more students are visiting the tunnel, said Tom Studdert, UNLV's assistant director of student involvement and activities.

"This has become very well attended," Studdert said. "We see it as beneficial because it's more of an eye-opener than just sitting in a lecture room at noon, and students seem to like that."