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Editorials/Column
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Sometimes Snakes Live In Greener Grass
he other day I ran across
a small story, inside of The Week magazine's “Only In America” section, report- ing that California State Uni- versity, in Los Angeles, is now offering segregated housing for African American students. This new housing is, allegedly, designed to help Black stu- dents avoid "racially insensi- tive remarks" and, what the university describes as, "micro aggressions."
Apparently this, so-called, "Black Living" community is part of a growing trend that is expected to catch on at cam- puses across the country. Ac- cording to the article, The University of California at Berkley is also in the process of making special housing for people of color available at its institution as well.
The irony of these contro- versial moves is that this new- millennium version of Jim Crow is being implemented in response to a request made by the Black Student Union at California State who de- manded the university provide them with "safe space...." This may sound like a bad joke, but
unfortunately, it isn't.
The first thought to cross
my mind after reading the ar- ticle was that "These kids can't be serious?" They chose to at- tend a multi-cultural state school for the sole purpose, I assume, of gaining an educa- tion within a diverse environ- ment. And now, after running across some unsavory ele- ments, they've decided it would be in their best interest to segregate themselves from the rest of the student body for safety? I mean, seriously, is it humanly possible for them to appear any weaker?
I get that some of these predominately white institu- tions aren't as welcoming to different ethnicities as they often try to portray. (There was a recent example of that this week when Black football play- ers for the University Of Ne- braska received hateful tweets from fans of the team suggest- ing that they be hung after not standing for the national an- them before a game last week- end.) But, by the students in California willfully removing themselves from the equation, they've given the bigots who
were threatening to them an undeserved victory.
I could be wrong. But, to me, this is definitely not how people should respond to overt racism. When someone tries to intimidate you through big- otry, running and hiding is never an option. You stand your ground and make those trying to oppress you feel just as uncomfortable by making your presence felt even more.
Imagine where we would be if, every time a Klansman burned a cross to keep us from voting, riding a bus or opening a business, we tucked our tails and didn't fight back? One thing is for sure, those stu- dents wouldn't have to worry about finding a "safe space" because schools like The Uni- versity of California, Florida, or South Florida wouldn't have felt the need to allow them ad- mission.
I really hope that someone can reach these kids and ex- plain to them that what they've started could have far-reach- ing consequences. And that, if things are truly that bad, there are a number of prestigious HBCU's (Historically Black College's and Universities) that would happily accept their transfers. Of course that's only if they think it's safe to come back home...
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The ‘Thrilla At Hofstra!’
nd who was there, last Monday among the crowd at
hallowed Hofstra Auditorium clamoring to get a glimpse of history in-the-making? Trump’s wife was there, along with all but one of his children, along with a flotilla of friends, well-wishers, and well-pressed hangers-on. And on the other side of the front row seats sat Hillary’s brood – her ever-plucky husband, Bill looking rakishly younger than his years, joined by their daughter, Chelsea whose grace re- minds many of a young Eleanor Roosevelt or a young woman who may herself be a president-in-the making.
They, too, were surrounded by a bevy of celebrities and legends. However, of all the guests who attended the event, the one most conspicuously absent was the Republican Party.
GOP-Speaker Paul Ryan didn’t come. Though no doubt he sent his love, former prexy-candidate Cruz was a no-show as was Marco Rubio who at long last lent his signature to the “I Dig Don” list, nor did Republican mainstays like the Bush family whose Republican roots go all the way back to the Revolutionary War stick their heads in the door.
So, what did their absence mean, and what did we see or not see?
Most would agree, Donald Trump got his rump whooped, the other night. And the world was made to agree–whether it wanted to agree or not – Hillary Clinton was and is every bit as tough and sassy as the Donald ever dared to have been.
However, at the bottom of what many have called “a cir- cus” is a truth that’s undeniable: This could only happen in America.
Social Protest Is Fundamentally Patriotic
BY MARC H. MORIAL President and CEO National Urban League
ocial protest is a funda-
mental element of American democracy. The right to self-expression, the right to dissent, and the right to confront those in authority with ones grievances are en- shrined in the Constitution.
Thus, San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick’s decision to protest police violence against African Americans by declining to stand for the Na- tional Anthem is a profoundly patriotic act.
While we live in the same country, the reality of day-to- day life for white and Black Americans can be vastly differ- ent. Most Black men and women in America know the humiliation of being targeted – by police, by store clerks, by security officers - for nothing more than their appearance. Black children are viewed as older and more responsible for
their actions than white chil- dren of the same age.
A majority of African Americans support Kaeper- nick’s choice, while a majority of whites do not. According to an informal Twitter poll, the National Urban League con- ducted among our followers, an overwhelming 88 percent say they are proud of Kaeper- nick.
Some white football fans, meanwhile, have burned Kaepernick’s jersey and have engaged in hateful racial invective on social media.
The divergent views on Kaepernick’s action reflect the divergent views on the very reason for his protest – the use of excessive and fatal force by police, disproportionately di- rected at people of color, and the failure of authorities to hold officers accountable for misconduct.
A majority of Black respon- dents said police are too quick to use lethal force, while most white respondents said police
only use lethal force when nec- essary.
While I myself will con- tinue to stand for the National Anthem, I support his right to protest. And while I whole- heartedly share Kaeper- nick’s despair over excessive force and the failure to hold police accountable, but I would support his protest even if I did not.
Despite the outrage Kaepernick’s protest has raised, he has ignited a move- ment of sorts. Since Kaeper- nick first refused to stand in late August, 22 NFL players have joined his protest, as have athletes in high schools, youth leagues, and colleges all across the country.
It’s interesting to note that, while no white NFL player has yet joined the protest, many of the high school and college students protesting are white. Young people have the power to change the future, and it is encouraging that their eyes are open to the racism and injus- tice many of their elders seem unable to see.
It is not merely Kaeper- nick’s right to register his dis- content with the status quo, some would argue it is a moral imperative. As Abraham Lincoln said, “To sin by si- lence when they should protest makes cowards of men.”
Police Support Of Donald Trump Says It All!
Now that the nation’s largest police union officially en- dorsed Republican nominee Donald Trump for presi- dent last Friday, there is no doubt where certain law
enforcement in America stands. Representing approxi- mately 330,000 officers nationwide, the Fraternal Order Po- lice (FOP) confirmed that they had endorsed Trump at their annual national board meeting in Nashville, Tennessee.
Claiming Trump has seriously looked at the issues facing law enforcement . . . he understands and supports our pri- orities, and our members believe he will make America safe again, two thirds of the FOP Board voted to support Trump.
FOP leadership also indicated that they were impressed by Trump’s answers to a questionnaire that the union sent to each presidential candidate. Therefore, we are saddened, but not surprised that the FOP endorsed Trump.
After all, the FOP essentially protects and supports their members even when they know some officers are responsi- ble for “bad shoots.”
Among other reasons the FOP endorsed Trump was Trump’s attacks on President Obama for Obama’s perceived “politically motivated attacks” on its officers, his pledge to protect law enforcement officers’ pensions and benefits, and his favorable stance on purchasing body cameras for all law enforcement staff as well.
That Trump has aggravated, instigated and championed homophobic, xenophobic, racist, sexist, and religious dis- crimination; violence against protestors opposing his can- didacy and still received the FOP’s endorsement confirms
what many Blacks, Hispanics, and other minority groups have contended.
We anxiously await the response of minority law enforcement organizations such as the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (NOBLE), National Latino Peace Officers
Association, NYPD’s Muslim Officers Society and others.
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