Dear Editor:
I began the day on Tuesday, Feb. 5, enjoying the on-campus exercise facilities just south of Southern Avenue. I’m sure there were students of several races represented there, but I paid no attention to ethnic differences in the locker room.
After my workout, I headed to the McDonald’s on Highland for some breakfast like many other community workers and students, where, I’m certain, people representing a plethora of skin colors and languages were probably present. But again, I could not tell you which ethnicities in particular or how many.
In a region of extreme ethnic diversity, a person becomes accustomed to seeing faces different from his or hers.
I believe these areas to be a “truer America” than other parts of the country, and that is one of the best things I see in The University of Memphis.
When I arrived at the Engineering Administration building to work on some homework before class, I grabbed a copy of Tuesday’s Helmsman,while finishing breakfast.
On the front page, I read Sister Souljah’s quote about “... why not have a week and kill white people.”
I’ve come fairly accustomed to people pushing the limits of their Constitutional rights and was not immediately rolled over by the quote.
I have seen and heard lots of people running their mouths over the years, and I usually dismiss this as the consequence of poorly educated people.
My family has been within 40 miles of this area for over 200 years. My ancestors have fought for what they believed every time they’ve needed to, even when America has asked them to risk death for people on the other side of the world. Without hesitation they’ve done what they believed to be right.
I am the first male in my family to choose college over the military — not necessarily by choice, but by request of my father, who spent his post-war career among “Memphis’ Bravest” as a Memphis fire fighter.
He has taught me through the years that they key to a successful and harmonious existence is through education. “That’s about the only thing no one can take from you,” he’s said a million times, and from what little I’ve seen, he is exactly right.
The education of the American people is without a doubt the best solution to every socioeconomic or ethnic problem in today’s society.
Because of that, I have found pride in striving towards my education on one of the most racially diverse campuses in the nation.
My problem, however, is after reading Sister Souljah’s words and learning she will be on campus for Black History Month, I found myself noticing every person of a different racial of cultural background than my own.
People I interact and laugh with on a daily basis were now viewed in a dimmer light because I couldn’t help but wonder if they, like me, could dismiss a statement like that as misguided and uneducated. Or would they be among the crowd to hear her speak?
My fears are that if this woman really does entertain thoughts of murdering or revolting against a part of the society that has roundly supported her own — both financially and through education — is there any good she can bring to the community by speaking?
In the aftermath of the greatest non-war devastation in the nation’s history, when men and women of all racial and economic backgrounds have been drawn closer than ever before, do we want a racially controversial speaker on our campus?
President G.W. Bush has declared a war on terrorism both foreign and domestic, saying: “If you are not with us, you’re against us.”
Bush’s “us” is the American people, a race-less group of individuals under one God who have vowed to fight and chase evil wherever it may hide.
I fear, by the statements I have read, Sister Souljah has a different idea of “us,” and she looks to infect the University of Memphis’ young and impressionable minds with her selfish beliefs.
I am not in fear for the vast majority of students I have met and do know on this campus, for all seem to be as capable as me in deciding what information is pertinent and what should be dismissed.
I fear for people I may not know and do not have an opportunity to reach, because I am afraid Sister Souljah or others like her may reach them first.
I am not involved in student government enough to know who is among the group that has invited this kind of speaker to come to our campus. I can only hope they are wiser than myself or that these words may spark enough interest to encourage a reconsideration of exactly what kind of speakers the campus needs for Black History Month.
We should invite speakers who do not agitate our system, but rather encourage and inspire us.
I believe the good in Black History Month will come from insuring a well-educated and strong black future and thus a strong American future.
However, precise caution should be implemented in determining whether a speaker would be positive or detrimental to protecting that future.
Even if just a handful of people are influenced by such weak-minded teachings as to murder your brother, white or black, recent American history has shown that the decisions of just a few people can devastate hundreds of millions.
Russell Webb
Senior
Civil Engineering
