Most Pleas Were Reasonable, Eruption Reveals Differences, Skiff articles from February 9, 1971
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Most Pleas Were Reasonable, Eruption Reveals Differences, Skiff articles from February 9, 1971
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THE SKIFF Tuesday, February 1971
Most·Pleas Were Reasonable
"To communicate is the beginning of understanding," was spread across the bottom of an ad in last Friday's Skiff. The appearance of the ad was quite ironic considering the events which have recently transpired. Lack of communications seems to have definitely been a contributing factor in last week's protest by black students.
Although some members of the administration have made efforts to understand some of the special problems and frustrations of the black students, the administration was caught by surprise by the extent of black student frustrations and the steps they felt compelled to take to voice their complaints.
The fact that most black students on campus were not happy with the attempts at providing some black studies courses and the lack of black adult faculty or staff members with whom problems could be discussed has been common knowledge among many students for quite some time.
The fact that this was not known by administration officials and that no steps were taken to avert the resulting incident underscores the problem of communication-perhaps on both sides.
Reasonable Proposals
The black student demands contained several proposals which are more than reasonable, and should have already been instituted. Other demands underscore their lack of communication with certain principals and a lack of research.
The demand for a black minister is justifiable. There are more than 120 blacks on campus with no black minister. At the same time there is, a Christian Science, minister with only 29 students who are Christian Scientists. Most black religious denominations are separated or excluded from the larger white denominations-therefore a black minister is needed.
The problem of black professors is a difficult one to solve. Chancellor Moudy says that TCU seeks professors with no prejudice given to sex or ethnic background. · This may be true, but some thought must be given to the idea of seeking black professors—especially for black studies courses. The black professors now employed are never seen and not involved- in the mainstream of the -campus. It would be advantageous for black students to have black adults to talk to and identify with.
In their statement, the black students demanded, immediate actions by the administration in developing a relevant and reasonable selection of black-oriented courses. Chancellor Moudy was quoted in the Star-Telegram as saying that TCU has taken steps in this direction and is doing well. The courses mentioned by Dr. Moudy have been here for two years-and there is still no minor offered in black studies.
Expediency Necessary
We understand that such a program may be proposed in the near future, but at this time we think that expediency is necessary. Besides, those black-related courses now being offered, it might be practical -to initiate some African history and art courses.
As for the negative side of the ledger, the charge of blatant racism in the alleged exclusion of Jennifer Giddings from the Cotton Bowl parade was a mistake. This goof marred the overall presentation of the black students, and reveals a failure on their part in the channeling of communications. This mistake, however should not negate the other justifiable proposals.
A mere acceptance of rejection of the proposals by the black students will not heal the wounds. Administrative officials all the way up to the Chancellor should meet with black representatives and communicate, therefore gaining insights into the situation which they are presently lacking. An aloofness by the administration was mainly responsible for the unrest at Columbia and other universities in recent years. To communicate is the beginning of understanding, and only by communication can we be aware of the problems of others and work together to solve them.
-J.L.
Eruption Reveals Differences
by Steve Walters, Contributing Editor
It is a sad statement to say that one person thinks one way because he is white and another differently because he is black, but it seems to be true.
The black in America is undergoing a struggle to find himself in a white world. He must overcome obstacles that no white, no matter how understanding, will ever fully comprehend. This is a part of the reason that the fundamental thinking of a black and a white is different.
For this reason the press conference which took place on the TCU campus last week was probably necessary for the blacks who took part in it.
Many of the conservative whites on campus resented their action, and even some moderates at first were harsh to judge their motives. However, to place them in the correct perspective is the key to understanding.
The black student who hears that four black athletes are quitting the football team immediately thinks race can be the only possible reason. This seemed to be the view held by the black student leaders who ran the show at the press conference.
Slap at Blacks
It was indicated clearly in statements made by the leaders that they felt making a rule about beards and moustaches was a slap at the blacks on the team. They chose to ignore the fact that the dress code set up by Coach Jim Pittman also included a restriction on hair length and that all football players were to wear socks and belts. This affected more than just the black players on the team and they should have known this.
The blacks also chose to ignore the fact that none of the players involved in the incident ever has said publicly that racial attitudes of the new coaches had anything to do with their leaving TCU. Still, the idea of racism persisted with them because of their past experiences.
The incident concerning Jennifer Giddings and the Cotton Bowl activities is another example of the black assuming the worst in a situation involving one of his own. The leaders of the students and Miss Giddings, herself, admitted after charging discrimination on the part of TCU, that they did not know why she was not the one to represent the University in the Cotton Bowl. Apparently they never made an attempt to find out why either. They simply assumed the worst.
The black students cannot be blamed entirely for making these assumptions because any race which has endured as much intolerance and discrimination as the black race would undoubtedly have come to similar conclusions.
Possibly some good will come from the entire situation. First of all, the press conference brought to light to the other students on campus some of the feelings of the blacks at TCU. Their call for a black campus minister, a black phychologist, and more black professors is understandable, and their reasons are certainly worthwhile. Also their call for more black-oriented courses is one that should be heard.
The administrators of TCU will hopefully move quickly and effectively to show TCU that they are willing to listen to demands from any segment of the University community, even though they may have come in an unorthodox form.
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