Racial unrest at ASU seeps to forefront

To the Editor:
I am writing in response to the article “Plan points to reasons behind low numbers, Part Two…,” in the Thursday, April 19 issue of The Appalachian. In the article [Ezell] Williams is quoted as saying that the SAT is racially biased because it asked a question about tennis. She claims that most African American people would not know the answer, because most do not play tennis. However, in all her wisdom, she knew the answer only because she happened to play tennis.
I’m white, and I never play tennis, but I’m pretty sure I could answer a simple rules of the game question because in this day and age of technology I’ve seen a few matches on TV. That’s not to say that everyone watches tennis on TV, but that anyone that’s interested in tennis can get involved in some way. There’s no race card keeping people from playing tennis. How can she possibly justify claiming the SATs are biased on one question? It may be a valid argument to say that this question was biased against people who are not interested in tennis, but biased on race, I don’t think so. Ever heard of Arthur Ashe, Ms. Williams?
Furthermore, she claims that ASU would be more racially diverse if such acts “like Outkast and Lauryn Hill, someone that everyone would be interested in,” were invited to campus. “Everyone”? I don’t know who this “everyone” is, but I doubt they like Outkast and Lauryn Hill. Lauryn Hill, the woman who said she’d rather have her children starve than have a white person buy her music. That’s one hell of a racially diverse statement to be putting out on our campus.
One of the things that I enjoyed about my time at ASU is that I felt that students of all races could get along well in the community. However, I’m glad to be out of Boone now that the race card has found its way into this tiny little mountain town, thanks to a candidate who used the term “diversity” to drive a winning campaign, and now, before even taking office, has brought the race card to the forefront.
Aaron Albert
AlbertAT@nswc.navy.mil

Racist overtones plague recent elections

To the Editor:
It is with much regret that I must now sit down and write this letter. Over the past month there has been some language and actions done by certain people on our campus that has offended some of our underrepresented groups.
I feel, along with many others, that these actions should not take place in a college environment. As college students, we are supposed to be able to grow and feel safe in our environment, but that is not the case for a lot of minorities here on this campus. That right has been taken away from us by the ignorance of others. We have been called “niggers” and made to feel as though we do not matter. We have also been put into different categories with words like “You people.” If that was not good enough, we were then hit in the face with a song originally written by a black man, but remade by Credence Clearwater Revival talking about “Let’s go back to them old Cotton Fields.” Some people feel that these acts are not racist; I am writing this letter to let you know that they are. How can you say that this college is for diversity when these things are happening to us?
We, as a community, have been hurt by these actions and will be taking action towards them. I feel that if you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem.
James Lee French, IV
Junior
JF36686@appstate.edu

“Special rights” are not equal rights

To the Editor:
Are you kidding me? First thing, I voted for the Eller/Williams ticket in the recent election. That said, let me say this again, are you kidding me? The statement made by Ms. Williams in the most recent copy of The Appalachian is unbelievable. I took pride in my vote for Ms. Williams and now am beside myself in disbelief by her ridiculous comment.
In case anyone missed the last edition of The Appalachian (Thursday, April 18), Ms. Williams stated, “When I took the test [the SAT] I was given a question about tennis. It just so happened that I played tennis, but many African-Americans don’t.” By her statement Ms. Williams is suggesting that tennis is a “white” sport and to ask a person of color about tennis is biased. Two words for Ezell: Venus, Serena. The two BEST female tennis players in the world are both African-American! Should they not receive a question about tennis simply because of their race?
Ms. Williams clearly doesn’t have an understanding of the term “equal.” Whites and African-Americans are equal. That’s why they receive the same questions on the SAT. Ms. Williams seems to be seeking special rights for other minorities and African-Americans, based solely on skin pigmentation. How does one claim that a tennis question is biased? I still cannot believe how ridiculous the statement is.
Should a person receive special questions on a test because of his/her skin color? Of course not. That would be providing “special rights” which supercede “equal rights.” Think about it!
Matt Richardson
Freshmen
jr46562@appstate.edu

Responsibility does not stop with lost election

To the Editor:
Steve Wussow and Dustin Bayard, two candidates for the recently completed SGA election, voiced to students many campaign goals and promises. Among these was the promise to protect the environment of Appalachian and the Boone community. At the time of this letter’s writing one full week has passed since the winning ticket was announced and Wussow and Bayard have, even in defeat, failed at one of their most talked-about goals. One week later students can walk around and still find remnants of Wussow-Bayard material from their failed campaign littering this campus. Bifolds, such as the one near Wey Hall, and banners, such as the one over the tunnel near Justice Hall, have been forgotten. A politician’s career does not end with a lost election, nor does responsibility. Wussow and Bayard felt they were responsible enough to lead the students of Appalachian State University but were not responsible enough to pick up their trash when the election was over. Is this the work of environmentalists? Granted, it was not toxic waste that was left behind for maintenance to clean up, but it is nevertheless an eyesore on this campus. I urge Steve Wussow and Dustin Bayard to act responsibly and show they really do care about this great university by cleaning up after themselves. “You have the power; use it!”
Christopher D. Griggs
Senior
ASU Box 12751