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Tuesday, September 30, 1997

Letters

Racism is not the problem

Andi Meck's article "The More Prisons You Build" (September 26, 1997) is founded on a faulty premise. According to Meck, there could only be two explanations for the statistics recited at the start of the article. Meck is in error.

A third explanation is that the culture, not the genetics, of low-income, less-educated black males promotes the sort of criminal behavior that is reflected by the statistics Meck cites. Meck can point to racism as the cause, but that is only hurting those that Meck intends to help. Racism is the easiest answer. Hey, just point to someone else and blame them for your problems. That solution doesn't require any effort or change by the "persecuted," but it's a sure recipe for failure - which is exactly what Meck's statistics are shouting at us.

The solution to the problem lies in the black community's ability to value and promote personal responsibility, achievement and education - not anger, ignorance, and abdication of responsibility. Lower income, lesser educated blacks will never learn to accept personal responsibility as long as there are those like Meck who blame racism for the problems of blacks.

Further, Californians do not want to spend their hard-earned money on the construction and administration of jails, nor do they want to see those jails filled with black men. They certainly do not want money that could otherwise go to education being diverted to such uses, but that is an unfortunate necessity.

There is not a conspiracy to imprison the black population. The crime here is what the black people are doing to themselves. Finally, the terms "racist" and "racism" are undoubtedly the most misapplied and overused words of the last several decades. My experience as a white, middle-class, professional male, has shown me that the vast majority of white people are not racist. They do not remotely believe that the black race is inferior, prone to crime, etc.

They are, however, tired of being called racists and of bearing the unjustified blame, anger and resentment of black people. And yes, they are often afraid of "the black man walking behind them in the alley," but while it is a sad reality, they have good reason to be afraid ... just look at Meck's statistics.

Alan Young

UCLA Alumnus

Preaching Hatred

Andres Chang's recent article on activism ("Get out there and move something!" Sept. 26, 1997) contains stunning examples of the kind of vitriolic attacks that prevent any kind of rational, political debate.

His opening diatribe lamenting the Republican Congressional victory in '94 is followed by a host of mean-spirited, ridiculous attacks on conservatives. He outrageously states that "right-wing forces" are preaching for smart bombs (which kill Iraqi children, no less), and for children dying in the streets of America.

It is I who am horrified and offended by the lies that Mr. Chang spreads.

His attacks are not just wrong, they are evil. No amount of rhetorical hyperbole can excuse the charge that conservatives in America are heartless killers who hate ... apparently everyone. Such attacks only show the lack of rationality which guides Mr. Chang's knee-jerk activism. Mr. Chang stated his intention is "to educate people about the racist, sexist and classist country known as the United States of America." If he considers such hateful propaganda "educational," he is egregiously mistaken.

For Mr. Chang to get people involved in political debate, he must whip up an emotional frenzy about "right-wing forces" and their evil intentions.

He would rather carry signs and chant than make any attempt to find workable solutions to the problems which all Americans acknowledge.

As the Chairman of the Bruin Republicans, I too became an activist when I entered the university. Like Mr. Chang's stated intentions, I want to dedicate my life to making this country and the world a better place. I want to fight for future generations, so that they will be free from tyranny and oppression. I want equality for all and hunger for none. I will not sit still while ignorant people tell me how evil I am. That kind of nonsense must be faced head-on. I challenge Mr. Chang to think hard about the kind of attacks he makes, and the level of hate that resides in his own heart.

How can there be rational discussion about any issue if people like Mr. Chang can only preach hatred and distrust? There cannot. Emotion may get people excited, but it solves nothing. Maybe Mr. Chang will learn this.

Then again, maybe not.

Dan Ruppel

Fourth-Year

Political Science