Author of "Controversial" Op-Ed Piece at Winthrop University Withdraws
For those that haven't visited the tonguetied.us web site, this was about a student at Winthrop University who wrote an op-ed piece on the student newspaper (The Johnsonian) who expressed the view that some African-American students on campus were overly argumentative and do not appreciate everything that the campus and the country has done for them. In her column, "Student observes double standards at Winthrop," she questioned the need for preferential treatment and did a comparison on the racial climate of today versus the years before the Civil Rights movement. She went on to oppose minority scholarships and organizations devoted to blacks. Her first sentence in her column said "Black people at Winthrop will probably be angry." She was right.
The result was an outcry among the student body, particularly black students who have found the column offensive. A forum was quickly set up in Tillman Hall after a previously scheduled talent show. Most students were focused on the student's comments about the current state of blacks in America and the fear whites feel about expressing opinions on racial issues. But look at this, the woman that wrote the piece was bi-racial.
Herald Online - Winthrop campus in uproar over column
Obviously, students on the Winthrop campus immediately assume a black vs white position. Black students asked their white friends if they supported the op-ed column, and vice versa. It turned out that the forum managed to settle down the fervor generated by the article, and it was pointed out that the author probably could have said it a bit differently. Black students, after reading the column several times, understood what the author was trying to say, but agreed that her choice of words were poor.
Unfortunately, some continued to think she was racist and being insensitive, and because of the amount of attention she has made, the student withdrew from the University. No reasons were cited, but it is very likely that her safety was in question.
The Johnsonian - Byington withdraws
How can racial issues be discussed without getting accused of being a racist? This is an issue that needs to be tackled with an open mind and without assumed prejudices.
Comments
Posted by: Gregory Szorc
Posted on: November 18, 2005 05:22 AM
They can't. It sickens me how difficult it is to engage in a civilized debate without somebody playing the "race card." If I say something mean to a white person, I am being rude. If I say something mean to a black person, I am accused of being a racist.
Race is over-emphasized. I treat all people equally, regardless of skin color, ethnicities, etc. How come whenever there is a conflict between people of different backgrounds, the cause is always race?
What I believe is worst of all is having diversity forced down your throat. There is nothing I hate more than being told that "I have a problem and I have failed to acknowledge it." The people who say that are just making race a weapon for conflict. They drive division, not mend differences. It is a shame that this mentality is running rampant through the staff of Residence Life.
Although I am no bigot, it is a crime of sorts to think all others are like me. As much as I want to pretend that everyone treats everyone equally, I have to acknowledge that some out there still use race as a means to inflict pain.
Posted by: Gregory Szorc
Posted on: November 18, 2005 01:14 PM
They can't. It sickens me how difficult it is to engage in a civilized debate without somebody playing the "race card." If I say something mean to a white person, I am being rude. If I say something mean to a black person, I am accused of being a racist.
Race is over-emphasized. I treat all people equally, regardless of skin color, ethnicities, etc. How come whenever there is a conflict between people of different backgrounds, the cause is always race?
What I believe is worst of all is having diversity forced down your throat. There is nothing I hate more than being told that "I have a problem and I have failed to acknowledge it." The people who say that are just making race a weapon for conflict. They drive division, not mend differences. It is a shame that this mentality is running rampant through the staff of Residence Life.
Although I am no bigot, it is a crime of sorts to think all others are like me. As much as I want to pretend that everyone treats everyone equally, I have to acknowledge that some out there still use race as a means to inflict pain.
Posted by: Trish
Posted on: November 18, 2005 07:51 PM
On the other hand, I think being anti-PC is pretty popular in a rebellious sort of way and a lot of people say things that are just plain rude and then champion themselves as fighting the good fight for freedom of speech against the PC facists.
I also suspect that the whole PC thing developed at a time when being rude and rebellious was cool. It doesn't do much good to point out to a rude person that they are rude, when that's what they were going for, so the PC play was developed. If anybody knows of any research on that, I'd be interested in hearing about it.