Letter to the Editor:
LBC speaks about Black Culture Center crime
Published March 2, 2010
On behalf of the Legion of Black Collegians Black Student Government I would like to say that we are completely disheartened by the events that have taken place early this morning. For those who are unaware cotton balls were scattered throughout the front area of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center. Reports of the cotton balls were sited as early as 8 a.m. Friday morning. Some students claim to have seen two white males running around that Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center suspiciously, as early as 1:30 am. This statement has not been confirmed fact yet. The coordinator of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center, Deniece Christian has notified the MUPD. They and staff of the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center are doing their best to get to the bottom of this terrible event. We don't know much, but what we do know is that this type of prank or whatever it may be will not be tolerated and we as the Legion of Black Collegian, Black Student Government do not find this at all amusing. We will do all in our power to find out who is responsible. We also will make sure that this event does not go unheard. Our Mission as LBC is to be the leading Black voice on campus by eradicating ignorance and promoting positive change through education, motivation, and advocacy for black students at Mizzou. We will not let our mission statement be spoken in vain, especially during the event that took place today. We as the Legion of Black Collegian will take immediate action on this event by first calling a town hall meeting for EVERYONE to attend. This meeting will be designed to express our feelings and create a plan of action. This Meeting will be held Monday, March 1, 2010 at 5 p.m. sharp. We are also thinking of some type of protest beginning early Monday so please keep your eyes open for that. It seems to us that the campus that we call home to all our academic endeavors has students that still do not respect their fellow students, and this is not just a problem for minorities on campus, this is a problem for our campus as a whole. I, as President of the Legion of Black Collegians Black Student Government, have taken these actions personally, and will not stop asking questions, questioning administration, and protesting until a solution has been created. We are too progressive of a nation and a university to still see issues of this nature taking place. If not settled by this message, be settled by the fact that this incident will be resolved. I give you my word. Just keep high hopes, and remember do not act out in initial anger. Be upset, be disgusted, but keep your composure and react to this situation as the outstanding men and women that you are. I would also like to say that I am extremely pleased by all the support we have been given by our senate, umbrella organizations, and students of the University of Missouri. This is a time where we must throw our past differences away and attack the issue at hand. I am happy to see we all have our priorities in order.
Comments (4)
4:32 p.m., March 2, 2010
Hershel H. Hamilton, Jr. said:
I am on the solutions side of the house and have developed a unique teaching approach called DiversiTee. I intend to immediately transmit visual and actual sample of design to appropriate leadership & associates of Black Cultural Center on the Columbia Campus. Ignorance is unacceptable. It appears that ignorance is shaping thought at this location for "higher" learning.
3:41 a.m., March 3, 2010
Brandon said:
I wish people would stop deluding themselves. We are not nor never WILL BE "postracial", even with the election of Barack Obama. Besides, we would've easily been able to vote in a black president at least a decade, if not 2 decades, before Obama came on the scene. American whites aren't nearly as racist, on the whole, as minorities seem to take us for granted. We try our damndest NOT to be racist or seen that way. I hate to say it, but there will ALWAYS be racist idiots. There will always be bigots. Do you really think in a time when gay marriage and gay rights still aren't granted to homosexuals, and that a lot of americans still think gays are bad people or sinners, that bigotry on race is somehow eliminated?? of course not. I'd easily welcome a hate-free world, but it's not gonna happen, esp. anytime soon. We have to fight for as much equality as possible but still realize that we can't reach every single person. We can't create a postracial utopia. I just wish the progressives and liberal folks in America would realize that instead of having weird delusions that we've somehow "eliminated" racism in America, and that every freaking time it happens, they get another wakeup call, as if "We couldn't imagine it happening here." There are racists in EVERY town and state. It's a sad truth.
1:01 p.m., March 3, 2010
Philip said:
The election of Barack Obama came to pass thanks in large part due to the fact that the black population in America came out in force to vote for him. Not because they agreed with his policies or his vision for this country, but simply based on the fact that he was black. The outcome of elections since has further proved this to be the case. This action is just as damning as what happened at Mizzou, except it's far more influential, and not necessarily in a good way.
4:19 p.m., March 2, 2010
Jackson said:
And if it turns up that black students did this? It is certainly a way for the BCC to get attention. It's events during Black History Month sure didn't raise this much awareness of its existence.