Chav D is an event that has divided students more and more each time throughout its 6 year course. For some the event is nothing more than a crude joke at poor fashion taste; but this view fails to recognise the true significance of the word ‘chav’.
A public schooled gentleman walking to the shop in his tracksuit might be labelled a ‘chav’. Yet I at least would stop thinking this as soon as he opened his mouth. Why then does it apply to the working class man from Middlesbrough? It’s because `chav` means more than just spray-tan or joggy bottoms; it refers to a background, an education or perceived lack thereof.
The word then does not attack just the items of the person we tar as `chavs` but also that particular person. So why does this matter? It matters because instead of an event laughing at a style we have an event laughing at groups of people. The same people that some students grew up around: their friends, neighbours or even family.
Some might argue that this just adds a new element to Chav D in which people laugh at themselves. But with 21.9% of York students coming from private schools and many more from welloff backgrounds, it’s just not the case. Instead you have privileged individuals laughing at people for their socio-economic background. This is mockery, not comedy.
Perhaps some would argue nonetheless that despite this, the event should continue. To such people the cancellation of Chav D is the college giving in to PC insanity. But why should a college continue running an event that upsets and angers its own students?
Colleges want to appear inclusive and welcoming; whereas events like Chav D serve only to divide the community. Moreover college events fund the rest of college life; there is a need for them to be profitable. So with that in mind, it makes no sense to put on events that people are already angry with. Angry people tend not to buy tickets.
What’s more, making money off of mocking an impoverished and disenfranchised community is unacceptable. Even when those funds will be put to good use for students.
For those still outraged that they are being limited in this way, I would remind you: you are free to put on a `chav` themed event. Derwent may have cancelled the event but you can still throw your own imitation. Obviously I am not condoning such actions due to the reasons given above. This is simply to emphasise that this is not a limitation on liberty, but rather a college’s response to widespread criticism of an unnecessary and degrading event.
Laughing at poverty has never been and never will be funny.
Simon Cockerill is part of the Derwent JCRC.