OPINION
Friday, May 8, 1987
The Michigan Daily
Page 7
Grads write on racism and research
To the Daily:
Racism is the lowest form of
mental function. Determining a
person's moral basis, potential, and
worth from skin color is a moron's
reaction. To claim that those who
share a genetic trait must also share
ideas is racism in its purest, most
vulgar form. Recent incidents on
the University of Michigan campus
prove that vulgarity comes in all
colors.
Rhonda Sanders, in The Flint
Journal, described her experience as
a Black U of M student. The
incidents she cites prove that racism
is not a habit reserved for whites.
Sanders says that Blacks on
campus generally stayed to
themselves, away from parties that
weren't predominantly Black, that
they sat on "the wall" instead of in
the Diag (which implies that the
Diag was dominated by whites), and
that Blacks formed "buying blocks"
so they could sit together at
football games. The gut level
reaction is sympathy for the Blacks.
On second glance, it sounds as
though the Blacks were not being
isolated-they were isolating
themselves. Is there no racism in
self-segregation?
During my years as a Master's
candidate (conferred in 1985) I've
walked the Daig many times. It
would be virtually impossible for
any one group to "own" the area,
because it's impossible to avoid.
Everyone walks there: Blacks,
whites, Hispanics, Indians Arabs,
Orientals, and others utilizing
university facilities. Never in my
observance was it "a campus
commons for white students." Only
a tainted eye could see it that way.
Sanders complained her
professors were white, as if that
was part of a conspiracy. I was a
TA at U of M, and have taught
college in Flint. I've witnessed the
self-segregation of Blacks. I've felt
pride in Black students who
excelled. Yet I've also been blamed
for the failure of those who refused
to rise to an educational standard.
To them. "evenhanded teachine"
meant special attention and
concessions to Blacks.
Sanders says having white
friends "often meant getting caught
in the crossfire between Black
friends who made you feel like a
traitor and white friends who were
uncomfortable in large groups of
Blacks." Did she consider that the
Black friends were racist for making
her feel traitorous or why whites
felt uncomfortable in large large
groups of Blacks. A clue might be
found in the knee-jerk violence of
BAM leader John Simpson's threat
to President Shapiro: "Maybe it's
time for your children to be scared
to walk to class. Maybe it's time
for your to be scared to walk to
work." No white forced those words
into his mouth. No cause worthy of
credence should have to resort to
such extortionist terms.
The falsehoods of the U of M
situation are these: that there are
only Blacks and whites on the am lumped into the group called actions will result in resentment by
campus - that Blacks are the only "white" which includes people from non-Black students and a further
minority; and that BAM and UCAR dozens of racial, religious, social, increase in racial tensions on
are anti-racist organizations, and national backgrounds. We are campus. I must blame the
U of M is a meltingpot of races, judged purely by color. Because administration of the University and
religions, nationalities, and many there are a lot of us with the same accuse them of moral cowardice in
more in the minority than Blacks. skin color, we are assumed to be the first degree.
BAM and UCAR are not anti-racist perpetrators of moral wrong. To be When rhetoric replaces rational
groups; they are pro-Black groups. in a color majority is an automatic discussion we lose any chance for
Nothing they said involve tearing moral crime. advancement. Instead we encourage
down racism. Their cause neither The real tragedy of the U of M blatant, self-promoting demands
mentions nor concerns itself with situation has been the failure of backed by only brute force. Racism
non-Black minorities. Blacks and those who should be our is a two-way street, contemptible
whites are the only colors that they intellectual leaders to openly on either side. Blacks will never
see. In whose vision is the oppose the absurdities of these stop racism by becoming more
prejudice? recent events. The result has been a racist, by demanding not equality,
I am an example of the misuse capitulation to the most racist but advantage. Ayn Rand put the
of the term "white." Although my elements on campus. The funds problem of U of M succinctly:
skin is fair and my hair is brown, used to promote the interests of "Today, racism is regarded as a
my background is actually Blacks to the direct detriment of crime if practiced by a majority -
American and Assyrian, a Mid- non-Blacks will ironically be paid but an inalienable right if practiced
Eastern race. My family is for through increased tuition or by a minority."
bilingual; my relatives immigrants. reduced services to the non-Blacc -Diane Carey
However, since I "look white," I students. The injustice of these April 8
Will the real'' please rise u?
To the Daily: speak out against the official Finally, we intend to urge other
Please consider the following an university's cooperation with the alumni who share our concern to
"open letter" to the Board of American corporate war-making also redirect their university
Regents: apparartus. The energy, idealism contributions to the same students.
Who would be king?
(ContinuedfromPage5)
the national media before
pressing student concerns are
addressed. Such a candidate
will be an effective admin -
istrator. In addition, candi -
dates should be sought who
will, follow through with the
reforms begun by President
Shapiro, and who will act
upon the legitimate initiatives
of UCAR, BAM III, and
Lesbian and Gay Rights On
Campus (LaGROC).
To insure the selection of
such a candidate, student
input is vital. Indications are
that the University regents
plan to follow the same
procedure they used when
selecting Shapiro. This pro -
} cedure limits student input to
an "advisory" committee, as is
done with faculty and alumni
input. A major problem with
this is the lack of assurance
that such "advice" will be
heeded. Regents are left free
to make the final selection,
without any binding student
or faculty participation. In the
past, this procedure has
achieved critical acclaim, and
has served as the model for
other institutions to follow.
However, it also produced an
administration that was
extremely efficient in some
areas, while sadly deficient in
others.
A restructuring of the
selection procedure is war -
ranted, and should result in
greater student and faculty
input. This hopefully will
produce a more balanced
candidate selection, and
hence, a more effective ad -
ministration.
I am a 1969 LSA graduate and
my wife, Debra, graduated from the
U of M, Flint, School of Nursing
in 1981. As alumni, we have been
regularly solicited by the University
for contributions, and, on occasion,
we have responded. I once
designated a contribution specif -
ically for the History Department,
hoping to help the University resist
becoming another technical training
school for big business and the
Pentagon. Unfortunately, your
recent action, removing the
University's fifteen-year-old ban on
research leading to the destruction
of human life, reveals the futility of
my effort.
That you especially found it-
necessary to act formally to rescind
this policy has created a moral
necessity for us to act in response.
My wife's career involves
alleviating suffering and saving
human life, and Iam a Vietnam-era
conscientious objector. For either
of us to ignore your recent vote and
continue contributing to the
University would be inconsistent
with our lives' commitments.
Therefore, we will never again-
contribute to your official, marketed
institution. We will, however,
offer our support to the people who
are and always have been the
University of Michigan: the
students. For us, this means
contributing both actively and
financially to students organized for
peace and human dignity; who
To the Daily:
I write from a confused mixture
of rage and shame. I have just
finished listening to a CBS News
report on racism on American
campuses - featuring a series of
events at my alma mater,
University of Michigan.
What in hell is going on up
there? Ann Arbor is not Oxford,
Mississipi, and this is 1987, not
1897.
The students who have
perpetrated these acts - beatings,
racist "jokes" (I used to DJ for that
radio station, you know) - have
done a lot of damage to the
reputation of a fine institution, and
it saddens me greatly. It should
sadden us all.
Those of us associated with the
University - students, faculty,
alumni, and administrators - need
to exert ourselves so that the
pathetic individuals who would
sully the -reputation of our
University know just how wrong
they are. In a free society we are
obligated to suffer obnoxious
beliefs; we are also, accordingly,
obligated to respond to them.
-James F. Epperson
May 2
and commitment of these students
inspires us more than any other
aspect of our alma mater.
-Gary Szwejda
April 22
What the hell is going on up here?
Is it the same University of old?
To the Daily:
While an undergraduate more
than fifteen years ago I was proud
of the efforts by students to
confront issues of racism and social
justice. Today, as I read national
news magazines and watch network
television, I am sorry to say I am
embarrassed by events happening in
Ann Arbor.
Although I have lost touch with
most University affairs, I sincerely
hope most of today's students are
also troubled by recent racial events
and hopefully are working together
to rekindle efforts to constructively
confront such behaviors.
All graduates in some way
always remain a part of the
University. As such, all of us are
demeaned by recent events.
-Rich Serra
April 27