Letters

Friday, October 10, 1997

Letters

I am not to blame

Since reading Balekian’s Viewpoint article ("I am the root of
all minority problems," Oct. 7) I have just been waiting for a
response. I did not have to wait long. Williams responded in
exactly the way I expected, once again indirectly blaming the
"white folk" for minority problems ("Racial ignorance still rampant
in America," Oct. 9).

I first would like to commend Balekian for speaking out. It
takes a brave writer to take this position on any campus, but
especially ours. I would have to agree with him that it is utterly
ridiculous to hold any person responsible for actions committed by
people of the same race, color, religion, or sexual orientation. I
am not to blame for the action of others.

I understand the anger and frustration felt by minorities. It is
grossly unfair that racism is still alive in our country. As far as
Williams goes, however, I say that he is no better than those he
criticizes. He is just as prejudiced as those who instilled the Jim
Crow laws. "Prejudice" means to pre-judge a person based on their
appearance or religion or whatever. I am white, I am sure at least
one of my ancestors hated minorities, but I do not harbor racist
thoughts.

You are pre-judging me based on the fact that I am white, you
can not tell what I believe based on that. I could be the most
outspoken person in favor of affirmative action. You do not
know.

If my "people" have wronged you in any way, you should seek
their apologies, not mine. I have nothing to do with them. If I
have personally wronged you in any way, then I apologize.

By telling me I should accept the blame for my ancestors’
actions is like saying every Muslim should accept responsibility
for the acts of radicals in the Middle East or that every German
should apologize to every Jew for the atrocities committed during
the Holocaust. Think about that for a second before you form any
opinions about anything. Hardly fair, is it?

Nathan T.H. Lloyd