By James Sye
Election time is coming up this March 25th & 26th, 2002. I am urging all
students to go out to the polls and make the right decision. I implore you not
to vote for your friend, fraternity brother/sister, etc. However, I urge you to
vote for the person who stands for change at the University of Louisville.
There are certain SGA presidential candidates on this campus who feel they
already have the “black vote”. I’m not talking about Jihaad Abdul Majid, Jay
Elmore, or Heather Sorenson. I have been informed of your ambitions of being the
next SGA president, future aspirations of law school, etc. If you think the
“black vote” is that important, then why don’t you try actually talking or even
acknowledging our presence at this University (understand that by coming to the
Zeta Phi Beta fashion show it does not build your credibility with the African
American community on this campus, and yes your comfort level was well noted).
If you think the “black vote” is so easily won, then Mr. Chris Marlin I suggest
you rethink your strategy.
I warn you about making empty promises to the African American community on
this campus. We have heard too many empty promises by numerous administrators,
so we have been conditioned to see the real from the fake.
I advise you stay away from any Porter scholar meetings trying to scrounge up
the “black vote”. The fact is, you have NEVER stood up for or spoken on the
behalf of the African American community at the University of Louisville, so
don’t start half stepping now. I am aware of the questionable decisions that
you’ve made concerning race relations or should I say relationships in the past.
Please don’t think I am the only one being critical of you. I’m just the one
with the pen, paper, and plenty of opportunity.
Again I advise you, tell you, warn you to stay away from any Porter scholar
meetings and for that matter any other African American RSO’s trying to get what
you’ve already conceded as to having, the “black vote”. We (African Americans)
have been called nigger behind our backs for far too long and by too many
people, if anybody on this campus has a problem with African Americans I suggest
you get some heart and speak your mind, then it will be dealt with. Mr. Marlin
if you profess that diversity on this campus is overrated to others, then I
suggest you make that belief apart of your campaign strategy. This might be a
game or a resume filler for you, but I am too grown for games and my resume is
complete.
A man makes no deceptions as to whom he is, and if he does, then he deserves to
be called on it. I am James M. Sye, president of the University of Louisville
Chapter NAACP, fighter for African Americans and all who share the same struggle
for respect, dignity, and justice. I don’t hide who I am from any man or women,
and I don’t run from any man or women. If you challenge me physically or
mentally, point blank you’re going to lose.
This goes out to everybody else in the upcoming elections. If you want to play
political games with myself or any other African American on this campus, then I
suggest you pull out a map and choose another route!
