This opinion page
in recent past has been filled with columns covering everything
from war to cigarette smoke, “Sex in the City” to images
of Keith Richards. While I give everyone here on the newspaper staff
a lot of credit for their wonderfully written columns, I am going
to touch on a much more sensitive issue on this campus and in the
world today … race.
Last spring David Forbes wrote an article (“Racism rising among
students, say pair of minority groups,” Apr. 23) referring
to the rise of racist remarks directed toward the African-American
population here at Appalachian State University. In the article
there was mention of an incident regarding the Delta Chi fraternity
at a Greek Week basketball game.
Tara Haynes, co-chair of BSA, said, “I was watching the game;
there was a question about legal players; Delta Chi was down 14
points, then I just started hearing monkey noises and the n-word
[from Delta Chi members].”
As we read on we learned about a comment SGA vice-presidential candidate
Dustin Bayard made in response to a question on the issue of minority
groups at Appalachian.
Bayard said, “My message to minority students is that we need
more of you people here.” The use of the term “you people”
offended many members of minority groups by downgrading their existence
and referring to them as anything less than himself.
We know this because of the countless amount of letters this office
received on the subject.
Delta Chi took care of their problem as did Bayard; both admitted
openly they were wrong for what happened as they should have done,
because they were.
My problem is not with what happened or how it was handled. I totally
disagree with the actions of those Delta Chi members and the comments
of Bayard, but why did minority groups receive so much attention
on the subject when many others around this campus deal with similar
derogatory comments every day?
It is my understanding that this newspaper has never printed an
article on the racism subject from the other side of the fence.
All that is ever discussed is minority groups around campus being
offended for something someone said.
What happens when someone that is not a minority is offended by
a comment thrown toward them regarding their race?
No articles will be written and it certainly will not make front
page, above the fold. The issue is ignored way too often, when the
side we hear and read about so much has been beaten like a dead
horse time and time again.
Race in America is a major issue, from cities to towns, colleges
to businesses; it is an issue that will forever be present in our
lives.
Skin color is not something that we can change (with the exception
of Michael Jackson). It is something that just has to be dealt with.
Understand this, the race issues on this campus are not one sided
and as long as it is assumed to be that way the problem will never
fully be taken care of. Minority groups are not the only victims
to slander and name-calling, and many times minority groups are
the ones committing the acts that offend them so.
I believe that if racial issues are ever going to die in America,
everyone has to be seen for what is inside. White, black, yellow,
red, green, blue, purple, pink, I do not care what color an individual
is, using an individual’s color to belittle them is racist
every time. |
