This
week's
topic:		 What would you say to University of California Regent, Ward Connerly, who is reviewing the Ethnic Studies of that University to see if his suspicions are true that they (Ethnic Studies) "promote self imposed segregation on California campuses and exist to coddle members of minority groups"?



Name: helene
Email: hpork@hotmail.com
Response: I've been trying to write an argumentative essay on the topic of Afirmative Action. I actually agree with getting rid of Afirmative Action because it is racist. Minorities do not have a greater right to the experience racism than the majority (whites). However, after visiting the website Students Against Afirmative-Action and For Equality (founded by two UC Davis students--white,) I realized that the answer to the problem is more complex than well intentioned, but fatally flawed Afirm. Action has provided for. What I mean is that while I was reading this website and its solution to ending racism, I found it a really hard pill to swallow coming from two white people whose only experience with racism has probably been websites like this talking about white people. For others, we know the realities and pervasiveness of racism. I think white people who talk about solutions to racism must think much TOO MUCH of themselve and need a big dose of HUMILITY. I think that to white people racism is slavery or segregation or being called some slanderous, derogatory name--which of course it is. But, in my own experience of trying to gain admission to the University of Michigan, I stumbled across many hues of racism. First, there was the white admissions counselor who, after meeting my ditzy, white, wealthy friend admitted her after one interview. Then, there was the African-American counselor who denied my application because I applied to both the LSA and the School of Art, claiming that I was just "trying to get in to Michigan any way I could". Actually, I see that as a real lack of intelligence on all sides. I do not see the white "conservatives" who are against Afirm. Action really dealing with any issues of race or racism. They simply are ignorant of the fact that racism is everywhere. When I read the decision handed down on the case that helped change the Univ. Calif. school system, Bakke V. UC Regents, I couldn't help but think of incidents in my or my parents lives which were just as obviously based on race. In our case, though, our family simply had to put up with the racism. For whites the words "fair" actually has some consequence or meaning. That's a nice place to visit, but I know its not reality. Race-related laws, groups, precedents, standards should be created and implemented by people who are not white in America. In answer to the question Should African Americans forget about Afirm Action and try to strengthen historically black high schools and colleges, the answer in my non-black opinion is definitely yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. In my experience with white Americans, they will never willingly grant you the status of "human" without first trying to tear you down. It is a difficult rite of passage or initiation. So much of our self-images are derived from white-based thinking. And in my opinion, with exception, whites resist all other cultures/races. Sorry, guys, the truth hurts. Thanks for your time, I welcome feedback as long as its not belligerent.


Name: Tonya R. Jackson
Email: tjtj02@aol.com
Response: Once again to prove to the whole world, the "Media" rules this country with a strong and boisterous voice. The media, or should I say the "white media is the constant voice in this country. Whether the events take place in Asia, South Africa or our own "black-yards, the media decides what we should read or hear about. African-American multi-births take place in this country just as often as white multi-births. However, when an event of this nature takes place in a "white home" it's called a miracle, but when it happens to blacks, needless to say its portraited as "blacks know how to deal with situations like this on a normal basis, they go through it all the time, in other words it's a natural thing for them." I, has a human-being who has emotions just like anyone else was happy for both families, but truly I was deeply sadden for the white family. Sure children bring us an everyday joy -- in their case to much was given to them. Too much attention that is, after while just the mention of those 7 babies and "their" plight made me angry. It just proved to me that racism is still alive, right down to the little victims.


Name:
Email: gmann@cwo.com
Response: Personally, I could care less what this man thinks or does. WE need to understand this: If you have to wait until you or anyone reaches college to learn about themselves or others, then you have failed what EVERS and KING and MALCOM has been trying to teach YOU and well as others. Most people don't go to college after HS so it should be taught there - WHERE IT MATTERS MOST. In middle/high school. We need to wake and stop thinking the way we do. The smoke screen is still there. He is just one of those who'll benefit in some way it this succeeds. Stop worrying about what happening in colleges and start worrying why is not taught when a child's mind is being developed. WAKE UP!!!! /c OUTTY!!!!!!!!


Name: Shelley
Email:
Response: I think it is a bunch of bull____. People need to know how people were treated and if he wants to change that, then screw him! Segregation was a bad idea from the start. Why can't people accept the fact that under the color of your skin lies the same person. We are all the same under Gods eyes. That is all that matters.


Name: Neville
Email: nevillemurray @home.com
Response: The Man is weak, if he wants to sell out his people, so be it. He is not the first & he won't be the last, but brothers & sister let us know that ours is an ongoing struggle. One Love, Neville


Name: Cynthia Tolver
Email: TheTolvers@aol.com
Response: In response to the University of California regent reviewing Ethnic Studies, I feel as an Afro-American not only we as a people, but other minorities as well have the right to learn and study our own heritage, especially Afro-Americans who are continuiously denied the whole "APPLE PIE". We as Americans most realize that we will never grow to our full potential as a nation, until we all come together,and everything is made accessible to ALL.


Name: Sala Tyson
Email: jazsala@yahoo.com
Response: Sadly, throughout history our people have been betrayed by their own kind. The enemy is wise enough to know that to divide and conquer is the surest path to defeat of a people. They have chosen wisely, for Mr. Connerly is determined to tear down everything that African-Americans have struggled for. But doesn't he know that in the end, he will not be made an honorary "white man", but will be tossed back with the very people that he betrayed? That is why I believe it is so important for us to get our own institutions, communities, jobs, etc. America is fickle!


Name:
Email: ehunter644@aol.com
Response: I lived in southern california for 16 years. The last two years of my residencey in California were miserable because of Ward Connerly. This man claims to be black, and correct me if I'm wrong but, there is no way possible he can be black. If he were a black man, He'd probably think long and hard aboout his actions. My Grandparents and Great Grand parents, suffered through some of the most horrific and humiliating indignaties any human being could withstand. Yet , He continues his little campaign to undo the work that people such as MLK and Sojouner Truth, Fought and died for. It infuriates me to think that one man who claims to be black , can say to the King family or to the Evers family, " I don't care what your husbands and fathers fought and died for. I want to make things the way they were". I don't know what color he really is, but I don't any black men that would try to abolish Affirmative Action. That is exactly what he wants to do all over the country.


Name:
Email: beryhart@sprynet.com
Response: I would ask Mr. Connerly what he would replace Ethnic Studies with. Further, I'd want to know if he has any idea what the word renaissance means and if he sees at all any connection between the Renaissance that moved civilization from medieval thinking and modern curriculum changes that allow for greater diversity of thought.


Name:
Email: REVANCHIST@webtv.net
Response: Ward Connerly, the man who scares the Hell out of everybody. Also, he wields enough power to make all of you "Poop" in your pants. Instead of writing about him, insulting him, calling him names--you should be writing "to him." Yes! You should be asking him not to reject the "Ethnic Studies." Plead your case to him. Tell him how much we need this, what it means to the race!! The people you should be writing about and calling names are--the "white Monomaniacs." They are the reason we need the "Ethnic Studies" There's your true Enemy. Think about it___


Name:
Email: ABOLITIONST@webtv.net
Response: Frances L. Murphy II, There's only one thing wrong with your response. Delete the words, "Ward Connerly" and Insert the Words, "White race." "White supremacy." That will take care of our Problem!!!


Name: Nnamdi Nzingha
Email:
Response: I would say to that tom, ward connerly, that he is one of the worst enemies of the African American community in our sojourn in America. On to the question at hand, self segregation is not a problem, I have no problem when a group wants to be alone. That's their right I have a problem when someone trys to force segregation. When he talks about coddling minorities, I can't see why that would bother uncle ward, because many minorities feel alienated on many large colleges.


Name: Solomon Landers, Uwohilatlitigv
Email: Numberup@worldnet.att.net
Response: I would suggest that Mr. Connerly be thorough in his review and that he confront honestly the results of that review. Ethnic Studies were not implemented to promote self-segregation, nor to "coddle" anyone. The purpose was to inform all Americans of the long-ignored, but voluminous, contributions of African Americans (and other minorities) to the founding, progress, and success of this Nation. If that original purpose has somehow been diluted, then it should be a matter of redirection to that original purpose. There is still obvious need for the knowledge provided by Ethnic Studies, especially as America becomes ever more multi-ethnic and multi-cultural.


Name: Frances L. Murphy II
Email: FrankieLou@aol.com
Response: We ... all of us ... need to learn how to respond to the Ward Connerlys of the world. It is no good calling them names. They know what they are doing and the reaction they can get from us. It is time we get smart and stop getting mad. Who is this Ward Connerly anyway? Where does he go to church? What school trained him? Who are his friends? What is he a front for? What has he contributed to the community besides his bad mouth? Let's put him in the spotlight where he seems to want to be. Urge our newspapers to follow him around and take pictures of him wherever he goes. Let our folks know what this enemy of the people's history looks like, acts like, thinks like. Invite him to talk about his stand with some of our experts...or to debate for that matter on radio/TV with the likes of Kweise Mfume of the NAACP or that outspoken Al Sharpton. Don't attack the man... Attack his words, his thoughts-- make him look like what he is... a bigot. Even George Wallace turned around once he got a good look at himself and what the world knew he stood for. Let's work together on Ward Connerly!!


Name: Serious in Chicago
Email:
Response: Response to WARD CONNERLY issue: You know, that house Nig--- makes me want to hurl! If he advocates removing our history (what little is included) from the history books, then they better remove George, Thomas and the rest of the founders. They don't want to be guilty of coddling to whites - - now do they? That is one negro who needs a re-birth! I'm outta here. This subject truly makes me sick.


Name: abdul-malik
Email: ameer@earthlink.com
Response: ward connerly this is the masters house nigger or sambo if you do not know the story about sambo e-mail me and I TELL you the story ward connerly is the worst kind nigger because he will always do the master work sambos like him would tell the master to stop a slave revolt with self hateing white marrying nigging sambos like to him to fight his battles for them we need to band him from are race give no reply like he not there


Name: Alice
Email: goree@livingston.net
Response: I would inquire of the regent what particular item(s) was he referring to and in what way did he see that it caused this result, then after he responded to me his reasons. I would study it for myself and then decide if his thoughts might have some merit. Slavery is over, segregation is over, our ancestors black and white are dead the good and the bad that they did is residue left for us to learn from. If there is a God he will deal with them but meanwhile we have to live together one and all and has'nt the world had enough of all this bull, it has gotten better slowly for sure but don't just rehash the black-white slavery issue go over the whole of rotten history of humanity itself the atrocities they all committed..