Black or White:
Racism in Colleges
The Oracle
by Lisa Findley
"Perhaps it's O.K. to pretend that the tions, the American university."
racist snake is dead a^d not affecting Archer proposed soluhons to tto
students Same as it is to believe in the problem m his letter to the editor of
tooth fairy. Nevertheless, we all know Chrpnide. He stated, "Wh^ we n^d to
the facts of life," remarked Chalmers do is explore ways to make things better,
A^rcher, Jr., a professor of student de- not unfairly criticize our students atti-
velopment, in a letter to the editor of tudes." His pro^sals were to.
ThP rhrnnirle of Higher Education. 1.) "Provide better preparation and
Racism is an issue on virtually evey stronger foundation courses at early
American university and college cam- levels, along with courses in race re a-
tions and women's rights.
"The National Institute Against 2.) "Promote an understanding of the
Prejudice and Violence reported racial fundamental reforms and institutional
incidents at 115 campuses in 1989, and changes needed in American higher
its updates continue to catalogue education.
abuses," according to an arHcle by 3.) "Promote opportunities to discuss
Alexander Cockburn in last May's is- ways to eliminate structural barriers,
sue of New StatesnwL&Spdety. 4.) "Promote multicultural and bal-
ut: ui iNcw ^
Cockburn displayed some examples anced academic programs,
f the incidents occurring in his article: 5.) "Explore the many components
Last February a student at Brown and interrelationships that contribute to
University, Douglas Hann, was ex- program excellence,
rjelled "under hate speech provisions 6.) "Study current information and
polled "under hate speech provisions 6.) "Study current information and
after he shouted, 'Fucking research findings for possible solutions,
niggers...What are you, a 7.) "Strive for innovative ideas that
faggot?...Fucking Jew'; told a black help institutions increase success in re
woman,'My parents own your people'; cruiting, retaining, and educating black
and had to be restrained from provok
ing a fight.
"\t\ Dece-mber \987 some Asian-
americaTv -womerv at tV\e Viuverstty ot
Connecticut were spat upon by football
players shouting "Oriental Faggots."
And, "at the University of Massa-
chussetts in 1986 a white mob of 3000
chased and beat up anyone in its path
who happened to be black."
Unfortunately, these are just a few
examples of the many racial uprisings
occurring on American university and
college campuses.
One needs to look back on a bit of
students."
If Archer's proposals were to be ac
cepted and followed by American col
leges and unwersitites, there would be
nowhere to move but upward in terms
of racial acceptance.
"It is no exaggeration to say tha t many
colleges are divided into sharply dis
tinct ethnic subcultures- a black culture
a Hispanic culture, an Asian culture,
and a (residual) white culture," stated
O'Souza.
Though Salem College is not a strong
example of these subcultures, it is evi-
?y Dr. Catherine Holderness
I have spent the past several days
■eading "Women's Lib" books. Let me
quote one, "In every wasy, women and
the rest of society should be ready now
for fair consideration of the question.
The militant mood, aggressively femi-
aine or aggressively masculine as re
gards the so called women's movement,
las passed with most thoughtful
aeople." Text from the 1980's? Possibly
he 1970's? Try 1927. The quote is from
DCCUPATIONSFORWOMEN-.astudy
Made for the Southern Woman's Alli-
mce (p. xiii.)
That's right, 1927. The book describes
occupational and wage discrimination
against women, and then continues
with strategies for women who do want
:areers.Sohowfarliflue wecome,baby?
'4ot that far. Men with a high school
diploma earn about the same as women
with a Bachelor's Degree. And women
still dominate the low paying occupa
tions identified in 1927. And women
still are our children's primary caretak
ers.
I would suggest that the Women's
Movement has come a long way, though
in the 1970's we were breaking into law
, medicine, and business in a big way
But we were busy proving that we coulc
compete with men on their terms. We
were making the mistake Americam
often make ( as De'Tocqueville noted),
that of equating equality with same
ness. Or perhaps it was simply neces
sary to wear severe little suits, pumps,
and those terrible silk bow ties to get
the job and respect we wanted.
And women were afraid that going
to a woman's college might somehow
make them seem inferior to women
who competed at a co-ed school. Not
so, on Thursday of this week Salem will
host 50 successful, energetic, and in
formed Alumanae. These women have
made it in what they have chosen to do
and they have chosen a wide variety of
things. So, it may be that women can be
different and be equal (or superior) to
men. And that a Salem education does
more than prepare you to compete - it
prepares you to lead! And proudly so
First Annual IRS
Mixer was a Success
by Banner Gregory
dent. Many sit within their groups at
history concerning racism and segrega- virtually every meal and social function,
tion to see exactly where America is thus distinguishing themselves from the
moving in terms of these issues.
As stated in the article "The New
Segregation on Campus" by Dinesh
ITSouza in the Winter 1991 issue of
American Scholar
rest of the student body
Though no violent acts have occurred
as do on many campuses, attitudes
towards racism are a primary difference
between Northern and Southern stu
dents at Salem.
Recent conversations with students
pre^CourtdecisionofBrownv.Board from both areas indicated a variety of
of Education on May 17,1954, where views. ^
children of mnorihes were given the One conversation presented oppos-
nght to an M^hon. i„g ^ews. Janet Welle, a New £
By the mtdWs, Martin Luther King, native, and Candy Bass, a North Ca^
Jr. made raasm^ially and politically linian,discussedthcditterencesthevsee
disreputable. The nation seemed com- with racisn; ^
Big 3-1-3 sjxinsored the first IRS mixer on
April tenth. The theme was country
western, and all who attended definitely
looked their best. Dean Dollar Band
played some real boot-kickin' country
First was the ground-breaking Su-
mitted to integrating minorities into
every aspect of American life.
Yet, the article continues, as Amer
ica enters the last decade of the twenti
eth century, social pressures are ac-
Bass' automatic response to the sub
ject of racism was that "we are a lot more
prejudiced toward black people and
foreigners coming in. We are."
Welte expressed a different view
music and kept the small enthusiastic
crowd yeee-hawin' throughout the
night. Given the small attendance, a
good ole' time was had by everyone
who came on down to the Salem Com
mons!
^udent CHscounts
(919) 759-2825
B100 North PoirtrBlvd.-Suite e Winston-Salem, NC?7ioS
,. ^ • 1 j , . . — —a vuuerem view
ively promohng racial and ethnic iso- toward the subject. ShesaidthatitwasnT
lation in many areas "threatening to so much that southerners are more nrein
reverse the trend of the past several diced but that "Northerners are more
n 11 u - u l^ypocrites. A lot of them will say they
Paradoxically, nowhere is the new aren'tprejudicedyettheygetupsetwhen
segregation more evident than in that a black family moves into the neighbor
seemingly most progressive of institu- hood" continued on page 8
PKOPR,^|“«ASe*777-oS2
• L ROYALS, SALEM ALUMNAE