Blatt Bonanza showcases student unity in the face of Russell House ‘roast’

Bounce houses, free T-shirts, video game trucks and lots of food provided a welcome distraction for more than 1,000 USC students Wednesday night while a controversial event was unfolding blocks away at the student center.

The “Blatt Bonanza,” held on the fields near the Blatt P.E. Center, was co-hosted by more than 20 organizations, including student government, Carolina Productions and the school’s Residence Hall Association. The event at the University of South Carolina’s Russell House featured far-right speakers Milo Yiannapolous and Gavin McInnes. Those speakers were invited to campus by a student chapter of the national politically provocative group Uncensored America.

“I felt like it was my duty as a South Carolinian and as a student at USC to show that I don’t support what (the speakers at the Russell House) are coming here to do,” sophomore Skye Mabrey said.

There has been some criticism of the school’s administration for allowing the speakers on campus, given their pattern of racist, misogynist, homophobic and violent language at public events. Administrators said free speech laws and the fact that a student group was involved meant the event needed to go forward.

Student body president Patton Byars said the focus of the Blatt event wasn’t necessarily to send a message to the speakers, but rather to serve the students, a sentiment shared by Mark Mekhaeil, the National Communications Coordinator for the Residence Hall Association.

“All these diverse and different types of student organizations came together to create a really big and really inclusive event for all students on campus,” Mekhaeil said. “It’s really just about unity here.”

Other collaborators for the event, such as the student music organization Ears Wide Open, used their participation to serve students as well as send a message, with a live jazz band.

“Jazz is originally America’s protest music,” artistic director Alyssa Santivanez said. “No matter what’s going on, music is always a safe place and is something for people to enjoy.”

Other festivities available for students included a rage room – where students could destroy household objects to relieve stress – a live DJ, snow cones, arts and crafts tents, lawn games and special guest appearances from Cocky and President Michael Amiridis.

“It’s wonderful,” Amiridis said. “A lot of energy, a lot of good times for people to have. Games, music. That’s why I’m here. It’s a great party.”

RHA President Will Dorroh said he hopes the Blatt Bonanza as well as this past weekend’s NCAA College GameDay event set the tone for the university and how the rest of the school year will operate for the campus community.

“We stand for things like this and school unity,” Dorroh said. “I think things like (College GameDay) combined with this really shows that the university is unified together, and everyone’s gonna be safe, heard, and included at this university.”