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My original article was going to be in response to several articles that have been in the past two issues of the Cardinal. Specifically responding to Ms. Sara Stich, Mr. Marlin, and the way the Cardinal handled the entire situation. Instead I chose otherwise. I always pick and choose which battles to fight, and those jabs taken at me simply weren’t worth my ink, “a wise man told me don’t argue with fools, because people from a distance can tell who is who”. If people want to throw random darts, then first look at what you’re doing to create progress/diversity on this campus before you criticize or pick up your pen.
We can argue until the day we die about whether or not racism exists or if it’s a two way street. The fact remains that racism has been around for a long time and will be here long after I’m gone. If one can’t see past that fact, then I suggest you actually try to understand that your opinion is not the only one in this world. When one does that, then they will see that they weren’t necessarily wrong, however they were misinformed.
Some people have labeled me a racist, and that is their prerogative. I will say this again, I have never said that I hate all white people. Too many times the idea of being “pro black” is confused with being anti-white, and that is true in this case. I try to look at people on an individual level. I believe there are good white people and good African American people, who want change. I also believe there are bad white people and bad African American, who slow the process of change by denying that there is actually a problem with race relations in America.
I never professed that I could unite this campus, because in all honesty that isn’t going to happen, only in a perfect world, which we regrettably don’t inhabit. The NAACP has put forth the effort to create some sort of diversity at the University of Louisville, and I encourage anyone with an open mind to join us in those efforts. We (NAACP) don’t proclaim to have all the answers, because that would be very arrogant of us. Contrary to popular belief, we don’t help further the divide on this campus. However, we have begun the long process of settling some of our differences at the University of Louisville. The process began with the November 14th forum, and continued on February 20th, 2002 with the first diversity workshop. The workshop was attended by about 75 African American, White, Hispanic, and Native American individuals. Our next diversity workshop will take place on April 2nd, 2002, at 7:00pm in the Red Barn, and I encourage everybody on this campus to come out and participate. If people want change, then they can’t just talk about it, they must be about it.
There is no guarantee that we will leave this workshop shaking hands or loving one another, but it will be an opportunity to get some pressing issues on the table. This workshop will not be a one man or woman event, everyone who wishes to speak will be given the chance. If people of all colors are up to the challenge, then we can have some progression at the University of Louisville. I’m not saying this event is the cure all to our problems, but it is the third step in a long path that we have ahead.
James Sye is the U of L NAACP college chapter president.
