Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

Let's talk - It's about Time
Jacob Shellabarger, CAFNR Corner Post Managing Editor

March 15, 2004 - Racial comments have divided our campus again - but we don't have to stand for it. With any luck, the community will do something about it.

This semester, we've seen two examples of racism in the pages of MU's other student publications - The Maneater and MU Student News. Each columnist stirred emotions and charges of racism from many students - but is that right?

Jenny Marinko's March 11 column in the Student News discussed alleged vandalism of some Greek philanthropy posters by National Pan-Hellenic Council members. Those allegations may or may not be true, although Student News Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Kimberly asserts they are.

The racial overtones in Marinko's article set students talking across campus - and prompted a protest in front of Jesse Hall on March 15. Marinko's article included these comments, referring to National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) member organizations:
"The national black sororities had a problem with our Greek community."
"Their little sorority does not affect my life 99 percent of the time."
"Personally, I really don't want them to be involved in our events."
"Why don't these sorority women stay in their little world and stay out of ours?"
Troubling, to say the least.

However, there was no outcry when Maneater columnist Zaria Quadafi raised charges of racism and threw around "the r-word." She asserted that campus policies and administration were against her - as were people who disagreed with her commentary.

Some Quadafi thoughts:
"So I'm just going to come right out of my own closet and say it. I don't really give a good god damn which one of these white boys wins the election. (Feb. 3, 2004)"
"If I know my country, and I think I do, then common sense tells me it's neither here nor there which white guy is in the White House tomorrow, because 2004 just isn't going to be the year for little black girls. (Feb. 3, 2004)"
"Anyone who discourages a black athlete from dating a white woman must be a racist. (Feb. 10, 2004)"

I'm wondering why the NPHC never came out and protested Quadafi's comments. They do just as much damage to the campus community's ideas of equality and fairness.

Quadafi's assertion that "white people don't represent her" is just as damaging as Marinko's assertion that she doesn't want "them" involved in "our events."

Both strike at the heart of the campus community. Both "lack journalistic value and merit" as the NPHC suggests campus media does. Both hurt MU's efforts to build respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence in its community.
If you want to make a difference - the doors are open.
The time for anger and discriminatory rhetoric is over.
Now's the time for action - so get involved.
Make your voice heard.

The NPHC is sponsoring a campus-wide forum on race relations at MU on March 30. Watch CAFNR Corner Post for more information.

To read Marinko's column, click here: http://www.mustudentnews.com/031104/stories/greek1.html

To read Quadifi's columns, click here:
http://www.themaneater.com/archives/columns/columnist.cgi?section=Forum&byline=Zaria+Qadifi

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