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News :: Right Wing |
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War And Racism On Campus |
Current rating: 26 |
by Michael Simon
Email: msimon (nospam) uiuc.edu (verified)
Phone: 332-3306
Address: 252 Allen Hall/1005 Gregory/Urbana |
23 Apr 2003
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A response to the Monday, April 21 UIUC campus "teach-in" sponsored by Students for the Defense of America, a neo-Conservative registered student organization. The event featured economics Professor Fred Gottheil and three graduate student lecturers. |
I just came from the "teach-in" and I'm near tears. So many racist, delusional comments! Of particular interest was Gottheil's ridiculous comparison of the "failed" Quebec separatist movement to numerous Islamic states. Do the French Canadians earn an average daily income of $2 like Palestine? Of course, the failures of these societies must solely be due to a stubborn refusal to eat Big Macs, wear jeans, and speak English.
Save the Middle Easterners! They crave our Democracy! We might even find the grail this time! Unfortunately, this mindset belongs more to reality than sarcasm. During the Q and A session, one student actually said, "The Crusades weren't all bad. They saved Europe from a Muslim invasion."
What aggravated me most was the EASE with which these neo-Cons (all of whom were white) could make and support these claims of American superiority. Absolutely nobody spoke about the richness of Islam or various Middle Eastern secular cultures. No mention was made of American atrocities in South America, Southeast Asia, or the Middle East. Instead the SDA said the Arabs are evil, we are good, and it is our duty to right a backwards people.
Equally disgusting was the ease with which people like Gottheil could call Americans "docile people" without ever mentioning that there are minority groups WITHIN OUR OWN BORDERS still living as colonized peoples. Again, the implication is that these peoples, too, are backwards and will eventually abandon their attempts at cultural-preservation for Progress, Americanism, and Whiteness. Apparently, the disproportionate amount of African-Americans in prison is a reflection of their stubbornness to conform to the law, rather than of a systemic double-standard in US policy. "They're evil criminals," neo-Cons say as they gleefully forgive Abrams, Poindexter, Negroponte and Reich their little sins, their petty involvements in mass murders and international drug trafficking, sins for which the offenders have neither apologized nor repented.
But the neo-Conservatives never mentioned this at their "teach-in" because they contest that there is absolutely no relationship between colonized American minorities and colonized internationals. When asked why only 27% of African-American voters support the war, Gottheil answered that this is because Iraq diverts attention away from their causes. One student offered me an alternate proposition, full of depth and reflection: "Blacks are generally leftists. That's why they're against the war."
But according to Gottheil, blacks aren't leftists at all: "They make up a large part of our Armed Forces. They're patriotic!" Of course, nothing was said about military campaigns to recruit impoverished youths with (often false) promises of $40,000 for college, plus job training and adventure. But of course, none of this is related! So fine men and women, go off to war. Remember to always spread freedom and, while you're there, bring me back a Koran from the recently destroyed Iraqi museum.
In aggravation,
Mike Simon (junior, linguistics)
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Re: War And Racism On Campus |
by Jack Ryan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: -2
23 Apr 2003
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Dear Michael,
"I just came from the "teach-in" and I'm near tears". Simon says: be a man and stop crying. What gives you the right to call all of these people racists? Is that statement due to its' generalities, in and of itself a racist comment? Was it not you who identified this group as "all white". Perhaps it is you who notice skin color more than the people you accuse.
Jack |
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Re: War And Racism On Campus |
by Jan and Durl Kruse
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 5
24 Apr 2003
Modified: 06:32:19 PM |
Thanks Mike for the report back about the so called "teach in". We were unable to attend..but were hoping to hear about the speaker and panel. Since we are friends of Mike and know his ability to be a relaible reporter of the event...we appreciate that he took the time to let us know about what the "Student for the defense of America" spoke about. Your report gives us greater knowledge and awareness that we must work even harder to unite with others to speak out and give support to those willing to challenge such groups. We appreciate knowing that there are many in the community determind to counter such falsehoods! We are the true patriots and defenders of democracy. We will shed a brief tear...but move on to the next opportunity to face such groups and join together and share ideas for a better world than they propose! Thanks again for sharing your insights and concerns!
Jan & Durl |
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Re: War And Racism On Campus |
by thorn
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 5
24 Apr 2003
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Thanks for your report Mr. Simon, it is appreciated and invaluable. |
